Air Bags. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

137 reports

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2018

Air Bags

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (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. POMPANO BEACH MERCEDES-BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11078212

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2018

Air Bags

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF HUNTSVILLE (6520 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11076554

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2018

Air Bags

I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL NOTICES IN REGARDS TO REPLACING THIS PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THIS PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11076379

34,000 miles · Nov 19, 2017

Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS FROM D(DRIVE) TO P(PARK). IT HAPPENS ESPECIALLY WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. I WENT TO DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE TWICE, AND IT SEEMS THEY STILL CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE. JUST IMAGE THE CAR STOPS IMMEDIATELY AT THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. …

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NHTSA ODI #11047331

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2017

Air BagsSeat BeltsSteering

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ON MAY-JUNE 2016 THE VEHICLE WAS SHOWING A WARNING LIGHT RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT, THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THROUGH A VEHICLE INSPECTION THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING MODULE. ONE WAS ORDERED. THE AIRBAGS WERE DISABLE FOR A MONTH, PLACING AT RISK MY WIFE'S LIFE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FIXED BUT THE AIRBAGS NOW COULD BE DISABLE OR WILL MALFUNCTION IN THE FUTURE. SINCE THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS TAKATA AIRBAGS, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE REPLACEMENTS OF ALL AIRBAGS, INSTEAD OF A TRIAL/WAITING IF THIS WILL MALFUNCTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WITH A RISK OF A PREVENTABLE DEATH OF ME OF MY WIFE, AS WE BOTH ARE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I APPRECIATE PLACING HUMAN LIFES INSTEAD OF MONETARY GAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11045766

98,000 miles · May 19, 2017

Air Bags

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10990582

35,000 miles · Apr 12, 2017

Service Brakes

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EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILS TO RELEASE. IF RELEASED BRAKE CANNOT BE APPLIED BECAUSE IT FREEZES. BRAKE WAS USED REGULARLY WHEN IN PARK AS PRESCRIBED. BRAKE WAS ALSO EXCERSIZED ACCORDING TO PROCEDURES ON P.165 OF THE 2012-3 GLK OWNERS MANUAL. UNDERBODY OF CAR WAS GENTLY WASHED PERIODICALLY TO FLUSH ANY SALT ETC. FROM EXPOSED BRAKE LINES AS PER MANUAL WHEN CAR WAS WASHED ON A REGULAR BASIS. NOW IT CANNOT BE APPLIED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THERE IS NO VISIBLE CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MBUSA 2012 -2015 GLKS. RESULT" ONE E CANNOT APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH C AND GLK CLASS CARS THAT MBUSA REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE. IT MAYBE A PROBLEM WITH THE LINKAGE IN THE FIREWALL. AGAIN THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY. CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED.

NHTSA ODI #10972019

62,000 miles · Jun 4, 2016

Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

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MY 2013 GLK350 WAS STATIONARY AND I WAS PARKED IN MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY IN ILLINOIS. IT WAS NIGHTTIME AND I WENT TO GO CLOSE THE PANORAMIC ROOF SINCE I WAS GOING INSIDE AND IT WAS LIGHTLY RAINING. TEMPS OUTSIDE WERE MILD SINCE IT WAS MAY 27, 2016. WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE THE ROOF I HEARD A CRUNCH SOUND BUT DID NOT NOTICE IT WAS SHATTERED. I CLOSED THE SUN BLIND AND IT WASN'T UNTIL I OPENED THE BLIND THE NEXT TIME MAY 28, 2016. MY SISTER AND I BOTH LOOKED UP AND NOTICED THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE REST OF MY FAMILY ALSO NOTED THE DAMAGE ALSO AND WE TOOK INCLUDED PICTURES. I CALLED MB USA AT 800 367.6372. ADAM THE REP I SPOKE TO SAID I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF IT'S PART OF A RECALL BUT WHEN THEY LOOKED IT UP THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN?? I FOLLOWED UP WITH VANESSA AT THE 800 AND SHE SAID THE SAME THAT SVC GUY DID AT DEALERSHIP. I ESCALATED MY COMPLAINT FOR RESOLUTION, NO OBJECTS OR ROCKS, ETC CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE GLASS AND THE TRACK WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS. I LOOKED ON INTERNET AND NOTED SEVERAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF THE GLASS SHATTERING AND SOME WITH GLASS EXPLODING OUT OR IMPLODING??! MB IS NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY WHICH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND! I HAVE ESCALATED AGAIN AND I AM STILL WAITING TO CONNECT WITH MB USA TO DISCUSS SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU'RE STATIONARY OR MOVING THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. I HAD TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND COST ME UPWARDS OF $1600 OUT OF POCKET.. BUT HAS COST UP TO $2K PER INCIDENT. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS NOT ONLY HAPPENING TO OTHER CAR MODELS AND SO FAR THERE ARE COMPLAINS FILED AGAINST KIA AND NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10872513

18,132 miles · Jan 23, 2016

Unknown Or Other

PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLOSION. DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 45 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE CLOSED SUNROOF SHATTERED. NO FOREIGN OBJECTS OR CONTACT OCCURRED. IT WAS SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION.

NHTSA ODI #10821887

28,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015

Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ GLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF …

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NHTSA ODI #10811758

Official recalls

19V787000 · Communication

Nov 1, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

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.

17V627000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 6, 2017

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

17V252000 · Steering

Apr 12, 2017

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

12V493000 · Exterior Lighting

Oct 10, 2012

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2013 GLK350 and GLK350 4-Matic vehicles, manufactured from May 31, 2012, through August 2, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles have voltage in the parking lamp circuit that exceeds the maximum value listed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The higher illumination level may cause glare to oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes Benz will notify owners, and dealers will update the software calibration number (SCN) of the subject electronic control unit. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz 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

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

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module