Recall 21V196 affects 11,356 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with sliding-roof glass that can detach. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 11,356 2006-2007 C350, CLK350, E350, and related models under recall 21V196 because the sliding roof glass panel can lose its bond to the roof frame. If the glass panel detaches, it can become a road hazard and increase crash risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The sunroof on the 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz models in this recall uses a glass panel bonded to a sliding roof frame. That frame holds the panel in place while the roof opens, closes, and stays sealed against wind and weather. The bonded joint has to stay strong through heat, vibration, and normal body movement.
On affected vehicles, the supplier process did not apply the primer, the bonding agent, correctly. Primer prepares the glass and frame so the adhesive can grip with the required strength. Without that proper bond, the joint can weaken over time, and the glass panel can separate from the sliding roof frame while the vehicle is being driven.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner will not receive advance warning because the failure mechanism happens at the bonded joint, so a roof that looks normal can still be included if its VIN falls within recall 21V196.
Who's affected?
Spans CLK, C, E, CLS, and AMG variants across the 2006 and 2007 model years, all tied to the same sunroof assembly.
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 | visibility component |
|---|---|
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz C280 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E500 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz C350 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz E550 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 | visibility component |
| 2007 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS63 | visibility component |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG C55 | visibility component |
| Units affected | 11,356 |
| 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 car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing crash risk for nearby traffic. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free sliding-roof inspection and replacement if the glass-panel bonding has deteriorated.
- Reference recall number 21V196 when you call, and tell the service desk this is the sliding roof glass-panel bonding recall.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it; the dealer repair is free.
- Avoid driving with a loose or rattling roof panel until the dealer inspects the sliding roof.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame. If the bonding is deteriorated, the technician replaces the sliding roof. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. MBUSA plans to provide pre-notice reimbursement information because some involved vehicles were previously subject to this condition. If you already paid for a related sliding roof or glass panel repair, keep the repair paperwork and ask MBUSA customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit it under that reimbursement notice.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 19, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 26, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 7, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 7, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V196?
Recall 21V196 covers 11,356 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with sliding roof glass panels whose bonding can deteriorate. If the panel detaches, it can become a road hazard and increase crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the bonding and replace the sliding roof for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V196. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the sliding roof bonding inspection under recall 21V196. Reference Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021040012 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof for free when the repair is needed. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a sliding roof glass panel separating from the vehicle. A detached panel can land in traffic and become a road hazard, increasing crash risk for other drivers. The dealer repair path is clear: Mercedes-Benz inspects the bonding and replaces the sliding roof for free when needed.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 21V196 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021040012.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V196000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V196 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V196000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →