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2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most GLK350 years

Owner complaints for the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 114.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

72 reports with mileage · 169 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

149 reports
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25,500 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM MBZUSA DATED JUNE 2016 R.E. DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG BEING RECALLED (SEE "MBZ LETTER"); LETTER STATED THAT NO "SUITABLE REPLACEMENT PART IS TESTED OR AVAILABLE" BUT WHEN IT WAS, OWNERS WOULD BE SENT "2ND LETTER NOTIFYING YOU TO BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN" FOR REPAIR - "BRI…

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TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM MBZUSA DATED JUNE 2016 R.E. DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG BEING RECALLED (SEE "MBZ LETTER"); LETTER STATED THAT NO "SUITABLE REPLACEMENT PART IS TESTED OR AVAILABLE" BUT WHEN IT WAS, OWNERS WOULD BE SENT "2ND LETTER NOTIFYING YOU TO BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN" FOR REPAIR - "BRING" NOT "DRIVE" - NOWHERE IN THE LETTER WAS THERE A WORD ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING SAFE TO DRIVE, NOR WAS THE WORD "DRIVE" EVEN MENTIONED. SO OFFICIALLY I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH A DEFECT KNOWN TO HAVE CAUSED AT LEAST 10 US DEATHS, BUT NO REMEDY. MOST CONCERNING ARE THE DOCUMENTS POSTED ON NHTSA WEBSITE FOR MERCEDES-BENZ, WHICH SHOW MBZ NOTIFIED NHTSA OF VEHICLES W/ SAFETY DEFECT (I.E. EXPLODING TAKATA AIRBAGS), INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, ON 8 FEB 2016 (SEE FEB16 DEFECT). NHTSA ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT NOTICE ON 12 FEB 2016 (SEE FEB16 NHTSA ACKN), & STATED "IT IS REQUIRED THAT OWNERS BE NOTIFIED OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES WITHIN 60 DAYS OF A MANUFACTURER'S NOTIFICATION TO NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THOSE VEHICLES." WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED W/IN 60 DAYS? ON MBZUSA WEBSITE/RECALL FAQS, THEY STATE "ANY CUSTOMERS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED WILL BE MAILED...IN APRIL" (SEE MBZ2 APR VS JUN). CYA, BREAK THE RULES & NO REMEDY IN SIGHT. CORPORATE VULTURES. NHTSA NEEDS TO HAMMER THEM PLEASE. ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT RECENT DEATH OF ACTOR KILLED BY JEEP IN A DIFFERENT SAFETY RECALL WITHOUT REMEDY. WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THIS??? OWNERS ARE STUCK W/ UNSAFE CARS THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

NHTSA ODI #10876719

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2016
Air Bags

RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR SRS CONTROL UNIT. MADE APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 19 TO REMEDY RECALL. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO MERCEDES DEALER IN BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI, GOT RIDE BACK TO WORK. BENZ DEALER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART TO REMEDY RECALL AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHICH PART THEY NEEDED UNTIL AFTER THEY BEGAN WORKING ON …

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RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR SRS CONTROL UNIT. MADE APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 19 TO REMEDY RECALL. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO MERCEDES DEALER IN BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI, GOT RIDE BACK TO WORK. BENZ DEALER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART TO REMEDY RECALL AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHICH PART THEY NEEDED UNTIL AFTER THEY BEGAN WORKING ON MY VEHICLE. SO, I HAD TO GET A RIDE BACK TO THE DEALER AND GOT MY CAR BACK. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME IN 5 WEEKS WHEN THE PART CAME IN. THEY NEVER CALLED ME. ON JUNE 21 I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE PART WASN'T IN AND THEY WERE GOING TO PUT THE ORDER IN AGAIN. THEY SAID MERCEDES ISN'T MAKING THE PARTS FAST ENOUGH. THEY REFUSED TO TELL ME WHICH PART NUMBER THEY NEEDED (THEY SAID THEY HAD ONE OF THE PARTS BUT NOT BOTH THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REMEDY). I RECEIVED THE LETTER MARCH 2016, MADE THE APPOINTMENT IN APRIL AND NOW IT'S JUNE AND THEY ARE STILL TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. WHAT IS A CONSUMER TO DO?

NHTSA ODI #10876177

98,250 miles · May 23, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SERVICE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAI…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SERVICE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,250.

NHTSA ODI #10870338

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10852006

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V71000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE IS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V71000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ UPDATED 10/19/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10839683

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES DURING A RETURN WEEKEND TRIP WHILE TRAVELING ON IH 35 AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH FOR SRS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION. THE MESSAGE LIGHT COMPLETELY LIT UP SEVERAL TIMES AND WARNED THAT THE SRS CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT COUL…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES DURING A RETURN WEEKEND TRIP WHILE TRAVELING ON IH 35 AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH FOR SRS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION. THE MESSAGE LIGHT COMPLETELY LIT UP SEVERAL TIMES AND WARNED THAT THE SRS CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE GREAT HARM IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP. I WAS VERY AFRAID DURING THIS RETURN TRIP AND WAS HAPPY I WAS LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM HOME. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE MB DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND REPAIRED THE SRS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE ON 8/27/2015. I RECEIVED A NOTICE BY EMAIL ON DECEMBER 17, 2015 AND ADDITIONALLY RECEIVED A (IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 2015110002 INTERIM NOTICE TO REPLACE SRS CONTROL UNIT ALONG WITH MY VIN#, NHTSA RECALL# 15V711) FROM THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMING THE PROBLEM ON DECEMBER 28, 2015. AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO DISCUSS A MONETARY REFUND AND WAS TOLD THAT I MUST WAIT FOR A SECOND LETTER BEFORE THEY COULD ISSUE OR DISCUSS A REFUND FOR THE REPLACEMENT REPAIR I PAID FOR. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FOLLOW UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP .I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN I WILL RECEIVE THE SECOND NOTICE AND/WHAT OTHER STEPS ARE AVAILABLE TO BE COMPENSATED BY REFUND.

NHTSA ODI #10836320

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2015
Air Bags

I RECEIVED THE RECALL INFORMATION (SEE ATTACHED) AND MY VEHICLE LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALL VEHICLE ON THE LETTER SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO REQUEST FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY BUT HE STATED ACCORDING TO HIS RECORD, THIS VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] IS NOT SHOWN ON HIS RECORD AS BEING …

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I RECEIVED THE RECALL INFORMATION (SEE ATTACHED) AND MY VEHICLE LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALL VEHICLE ON THE LETTER SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO REQUEST FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY BUT HE STATED ACCORDING TO HIS RECORD, THIS VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] IS NOT SHOWN ON HIS RECORD AS BEING RECALLED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10789159

53,315 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

DRIVING 45 MPH AND WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE THAT PULLED INTO TRAFFIC ILLEGALLY. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BACK AND NECK INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE ACCIDENT. MERCEDES DID NOT ALERT CAR OWNERS THAT A "SERVICE BULLETIN" WAS ISSUED NOVEMBER 1, 2010 REGARDING A FLAW IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. OVER 130 MERCEDES MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY B…

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DRIVING 45 MPH AND WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE THAT PULLED INTO TRAFFIC ILLEGALLY. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BACK AND NECK INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE ACCIDENT. MERCEDES DID NOT ALERT CAR OWNERS THAT A "SERVICE BULLETIN" WAS ISSUED NOVEMBER 1, 2010 REGARDING A FLAW IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. OVER 130 MERCEDES MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY BULLETIN SB-91-60-193. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597739

11,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT LUNGED FORWARD. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT LUNGED FORWARD. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10371780

Official recalls

5

19V010000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

18V043000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2018

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

16V363000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 26, 2016

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

16V081000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 11, 2016

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

15V711000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 27, 2015

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.