Mercedes is recalling 400,000 UK models built between November 2011 and July 2017 after it was alerted to incidents of airbags accidentally deploying.
The recall applies to A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class and CLA, GLA and GLC models.
The VM says a clock spring in the steering column could break, causing the airbag to deploy.
The recall, which takes around one hour to complete, will allow dealers to replace the problematic spring.
Mercedes said its cars are safe to drive under normal operating conditions but urged owners to contact its roadside assistance service if the airbag warning light comes on.
A Mercedes-Benz spokeswomen said: “If the steering column module clock spring is broken, the driver airbag warning light will be displayed in the instrument cluster, as well as a red airbag warning lamp.
“In rare circumstances, if the clock spring is broken and the wiring components are not sufficiently earthed, this could lead to an electrostatic discharge which could inadvertently deploy the driver’s airbag.”