The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·17V017000·Announced 2017-01-10

Mercedes-Benz Recalls Vehicles for Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Rupture Risk

Mercedes-Benz is recalling specific 2008-2012 models because front passenger air bag inflators may rupture during deployment, potentially sending metal fragments into the vehicle.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. This aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural vehicle defects involving serious harm potential.

Plain-English summary

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling certain 2008-2012 model year vehicles, including C-Class, E-Class, GLK-Class, SLS AMG, and C63 AMG models. The recall applies to vehicles originally sold or registered in specific geographic zones designated as Zone A, Zone B, or a third group of states. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain front passenger air bag inflators that were used as original or replacement equipment.

The defect involves propellant degradation in the air bag inflators caused by long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. In the event of a crash that necessitates the deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking vehicle occupants, which can cause serious injury or death.

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules free of charge. Owners received an interim notification in March 2017, with second notices beginning in October 2018 and continuing as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
MERCEDES BENZ, MERCEDES-BENZ C63, E550, E350, SLS
Brand
MERCEDES BENZ
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag
Hazard
Affected units
104,119

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (9)

  • C63
  • E550
  • E350
  • SLS
  • C350
  • AMG C63
  • GLK350
  • C250
  • C300

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · MERCEDES BENZ

Same manufacturer · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

See all →

Same hazard · air bag rupture

See all →