Recall 18V043 covers 132,167 2009, 2010, 2013 Mercedes-Benz vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 132,167 2009, 2010, 2013 C300, GLK350, and E350 vehicles under recall 18V043 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode after long exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants in a crash with air bag deployment, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for the passenger air bag, the inflator burns propellant to make gas and fill the bag in a fraction of a second. On the 2009, 2010, 2013 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in this recall, that inflator is a Takata PSAN unit.
The problem is inside the propellant wafers. Long exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling degrades the propellant over time. When the air bag deploys, degraded propellant can burn too aggressively, creating excessive pressure inside the inflator. That pressure can rupture the inflator body and send metal fragments into the passenger area.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light does not have to come on, and the defect shows up only when the passenger frontal air bag is activated in a crash.
Who's affected?
The scope spans 10 Mercedes-Benz nameplates across 2009, 2010, and 2013, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sls | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 132,167 |
| 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?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009, 2010, or 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, GLK350, GLK250, E550, AMG C63, C350, C250, E350, Sls, or C63 AMG is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag module replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V043 when you call.
- Drive only as needed until the repair, and avoid carrying a front-seat passenger when another seat is available.
- Ask the dealer to replace the passenger frontal air bag module that fixes the inflator explosion risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag module covered by recall 18V043. The part and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. The technician removes the old passenger air bag module, installs the replacement module, and confirms the passenger frontal air bag system is ready for normal operation before the vehicle is returned.
Timeline
| January 10, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 5, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 31, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V043?
Recall 18V043 covers 132,167 Mercedes-Benz vehicles from 2009, 2010, and 2013 with a passenger frontal air bag inflator that can explode during deployment. NHTSA campaign 18V043 states that sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the passenger air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2009, 2010, or 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, GLK350, GLK250, E550, AMG C63, C350, C250, E350, Sls, or C63 AMG is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V043. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 18V043 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. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the affected passenger frontal air bag module free of charge under recall 18V043, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V043?
The risk is metal fragments entering the cabin during passenger frontal air bag deployment. NHTSA campaign 18V043 states that an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. The free dealer repair replaces the affected module.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included in recall 18V043, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and give the service desk the recall number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V043000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-496-3691 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V043 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V043000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →