Recall 17V177 covers 51 2008-2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with incorrect control-unit software that affects air bag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 51 2008-2017 vehicles, including C300, E350, and GLC300 models, because incorrect control-unit software can affect air bag deployment in a crash. If the air bags do not deploy as intended, injury risk increases; Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On the 2008-2017 Mercedes-Benz models in this recall, several control units run vehicle functions through software coding. A control unit is a small computer that receives sensor information and tells a system how to respond. For the air bag system, that coding helps the vehicle decide when and how the air bags deploy during a crash.
The problem is in software coding loaded during an update. Mercedes-Benz traced the defect to a software error in the coding generation process, which means incorrect instructions were created for certain control units. If the wrong coding is installed, the affected system does not respond as designed. In a crash, that can affect correct air bag deployment.
What you notice depends on which control unit received the incorrect coding. The driver can hear an audible warning or see a message in the instrument cluster. Treat either warning as a sign that the vehicle needs dealer diagnosis under recall 17V177.
Who's affected?
The scope spans passenger cars, coupes, and SUVs across 2008-2017, with electrical system software and front air bag components listed.
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 | electrical system software |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | electrical system software |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 | electrical system software |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 | front air bag |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | electrical system software |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | electrical system software |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | electrical system software |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front air bag |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL63 | electrical system software |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL63 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE300D | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE300D | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 | electrical system software |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 | electrical system software |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL550 | electrical system software |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL550 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 | electrical system software |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 | electrical system software |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | electrical system software |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 51 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the air bags fail to deploy as intended during a crash, occupants face a higher risk of injury. Audible warnings or instrument cluster messages can signal a control unit problem, so take those alerts seriously and schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2017 Mercedes-Benz C250, C300, C350, CLS550, G63, GL450, ML350, SL63, GLE300D, GLK350, AMG GT S, E350, SL550, S550, CLA250, or GLC300 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free control-unit software update that corrects the air bag deployment programming.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V177 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about the software update or dealer scheduling.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep extra space around the vehicle in traffic.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the software in the affected control units so the air bag system uses the correct control unit programming during a crash. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement notice, because all involved vehicles remain covered. 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 21, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V177?
Recall 17V177 covers 51 2008-2017 Mercedes-Benz vehicles across several models with incorrect control unit software. The defect affects air bag deployment in a crash. Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the affected control unit software for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2017 Mercedes-Benz is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V177. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the control unit software update. Reference recall number 17V177 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 update the affected control unit software free of charge, and Mercedes-Benz customer service is available at 1-800-367-6372.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is improper air bag deployment in a crash. If the air bags do not deploy as intended, occupants face an increased risk of injury. The remedy is a dealer software update for the affected control units.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 17V177.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V177000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V177 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V177000 |
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 →