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Campaign 21V197 Posted March 19, 2021 15,096 units

2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz Recall 21V197: Roof Panel Bond

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 23, 2026

Recall 21V197 affects 15,096 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with panoramic sunroofs because the front roof panel can detach. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 15,096 2014-2020 C 300, S 450, and other panoramic-sunroof vehicles because a front roof panel between the windshield and sunroof was not bonded correctly during a prior repair. The panel can detach and become a road hazard, raising crash risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the bonding free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The front roof panel on affected 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz vehicles is the exterior body panel between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof. Mercedes-Benz calls this part the Cover OSR. It closes the leading edge of the roof opening, helps seal the cabin from wind and water, and must stay bonded to the body at highway speed.

The problem starts after a prior repair to that panel. During some workshop repairs, the panel was not cleaned, treated, primed, or bonded according to Mercedes-Benz instructions. If the approved adhesive process was not followed, the bond can weaken over time. Once adhesion deteriorates, the panel can crack, lift, partially detach, or separate from the vehicle while driving.

Owners can notice the panel sitting loose or partly detached near the front edge of the panoramic sunroof. Excessive wind noise from the sunroof area while driving is also a warning sign.

Who's affected?

Covers C-Class, CLA, GLA, GLC, GLE, and S-Class variants from the 2014-2020 model years, all tied to the same roof and pillar structure component. VINs have been searchable since May 14, 2021.

2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 body structure
2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 body structure
2020 Mercedes-Benz S 450 body structure
2018 Mercedes-Benz C 350 E body structure
2019 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 body structure
Units affected15,096
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged 2 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?

The front panel adhesion can deteriorate, letting the panel separate from the vehicle. A loose panel can become a road hazard and increase crash risk. Watch for a partly detached panel or unusual wind noise near the sunroof while driving, and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front roof panel repair, which replaces the improperly bonded panel with a new panel installed using approved primer, cleaner, and adhesive.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V197 when you call.
  4. Avoid unnecessary trips until the front roof panel repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician removes the bonded front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof, then installs a new front panel using the approved primer, cleaner, and adhesive. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. MBUSA says some vehicles were already subject to this condition, so reimbursement is offered for covered out-of-pocket work paid before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk or contact MBUSA customer service to start the reimbursement request.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

March 19, 2021 NHTSA published the recall
March 26, 2021 Dealer notification began
May 14, 2021 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
May 14, 2021 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
September 3, 2021 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V197?

Recall 21V197 covers 15,096 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel, located between the windshield and panoramic sunroof, was not bonded correctly during a prior repair. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the bonded panel for free.

What should I do if my 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V197. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the front roof panel replacement. Reference recall number 21V197 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 will remove the bonded panel and install a new front panel free of charge at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

What is the safety risk?

The front roof panel can detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. The dealer repair replaces the panel using the approved primer, cleaner, and adhesive so the roof panel is bonded correctly.

What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall number 21V197.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V197000
Mercedes-Benz customer service1-800-367-6372
NHTSA recall #21V197
NHTSA recall # (full)21V197000

Source documents

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 →