Mercedes-Benz has initiated a “service action” affecting 92 Citan vans in the UK and 3500 across Europe as a whole.
The manufacturer has made the move after a passenger-carrying 109 Blue Efficiency Traveliner version of the light van was marked down in a Euro NCAP crash safety test due to the faulty deployment of its side impact airbags.
A spokesman for Mercedes said: “If any of our customers are concerned they can bring their vehicles in,” (to dealerships).
The spokesman insisted the initiative was not a recall, because it was instigated by Mercedes, but admitted the NCAP crash test findings may have prompted customer concern.
The Citan scored three out of five in the test, the same result awarded to the Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo, Hyundai H-1 and Peugeot Expert.
The Renault Traffic has gained the worst result in the van segment to date with just two stars, while at the other end of the scale the Ford Transit Custom was given a five star rating.
Euro NCAP said: “The new Mercedes-Benz Citan fails to shine in a market segment poorly equipped for safety. With only electronic stability control scoring points in safety assist, and lacklustre performance in other areas, the Renault Kangoo-derived van/MPV has failed to set itself apart from its competitors in Euro NCAP’s safety tests.”
In response to the result Mercedes said: “We are working closely with our technology partners (at Renault) to investigate the issues raised by this test, specifically around the performance of the curtain airbags.”
However, Renault has reported no similar problems with the deployment of airbags on its Kangoo van.