Recall 17V176 affects 65 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 vehicles for front passenger air bag control software. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 65 2017 E300 sedans because the front passenger air bag can fail to deploy properly when a passenger sits on the seat edge or lies back with the seat reclined. In a crash that requires air bag deployment, that defect increases the risk of occupant injury; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
In the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, the airbag control unit is the electronic module that reads crash data and decides how the front passenger air bag deploys. Its settings, called crash parameters, tell the system how to respond when a passenger is seated normally, sitting on the edge of the seat, or lying back with the seat reclined.
On affected vehicles, the control unit kept an older development-phase parameter set. Mercedes-Benz revised those settings during certification work for FMVSS 208 occupant crash protection, but not every vehicle was updated before it reached the market. With the older settings, the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly in certain out-of-position seating situations.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is in the stored crash parameters, so an owner will not see a loose part, hear a noise, or feel a change during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 65 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that requires air bag deployment, an air bag that does not deploy as intended increases occupant injury risk. Schedule the air bag control module software update soon and ask the dealer about safe driving guidance. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free air bag control module software update that fixes the front passenger air bag deployment issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or reference recall number 17V176 when you call.
- Keep front-seat passengers seated upright with the seatback raised until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the air bag control module software. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Repairs already paid before the recall notice are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain covered by that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 14, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V176?
Recall 17V176 covers 65 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 vehicles with front passenger air bag control module software that does not meet occupant crash protection requirements. Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the air bag control module software for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V176. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the air bag control module software update. Reference recall 17V176 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the air bag control module software free of charge. Mercedes-Benz customer service is available at 1-800-367-6372.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended in a crash that requires air bag deployment. That increases the risk of occupant injury. The free dealer repair updates the air bag control module software.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz E300 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall 17V176.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V176000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V176 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V176000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →