Mercedes-Benz is recalling 258,163 2008-2011 C300, C350, C63, GLK350, E350, E550, and Sls vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Free repair at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 258,163 2008-2011 C300, C350, C63, GLK350, E550, E350, and Sls vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture in a crash. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death, and the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The passenger front air bag inflator sits inside the passenger-side frontal air bag module. In a crash that deploys the front air bags, the inflator burns propellant to create gas that fills the passenger air bag, so the bag can cushion the passenger.
On affected 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in recall 16V363, the Takata PSPI-2 inflator uses ammonium nitrate propellant. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling breaks down that propellant. When degraded propellant burns during air bag deployment, pressure inside the inflator can rise unevenly and the metal inflator housing can rupture.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle drives normally, and the air bag system does not give an owner a separate symptom that shows this inflator has degraded.
Who's affected?
Spans seven Mercedes-Benz model lines across the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, all tied to the same front air bag inflator module.
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C63 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sls | front air bag |
| Units affected | 258,163 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants and causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and schedule the passenger frontal air bag module replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, C350, C63, GLK350, E550, E350, or Sls is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag module replacement that removes the rupture-prone inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V363 when you call.
- Ask the dealer about passenger-seat guidance until the air bag module replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag modules covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. Mercedes-Benz sent an interim owner notice in October 2016 while parts were being prepared, but the remedy path is the dealer module replacement. For repairs paid before the recall notice, Mercedes-Benz says the customer letter provides reimbursement instructions. Follow that letter or contact Mercedes-Benz customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 26, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| July 25, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 31, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V363?
Recall 16V363 covers 258,163 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, C350, C63, GLK350, E550, E350, or Sls is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V363. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 16V363 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module free of charge, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased or whether you received the original owner notice.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is an inflator rupture during a crash that triggers passenger frontal air bag deployment. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike people inside the vehicle, causing serious injury or death. The dealer repair replaces the affected passenger frontal air bag module.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?
The VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Recall 16V363 depends on the model, year, and whether the vehicle was originally sold or ever registered in the listed recall zones. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V363000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-496-3691 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V363 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V363000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →