Recall 21V638 covers 205 2011-2016 Mercedes-Benz coupe and cabrio vehicles with an incorrect front passenger air bag. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 205 2011-2016 C250, E350, AMG C63, C350, and E400 vehicles under recall 21V638 because the front passenger air bag installed during a prior repair is incorrect. In a crash, that air bag can fail to function properly and increase injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and replace it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger side air bag in the affected 2011-2016 Mercedes-Benz coupes and cabrios is the module mounted for the front passenger seating position. Its normal job is to deploy with the vehicle's restraint system in a qualifying crash and help protect the person in that seat. It has to match the model it is installed in.
The problem traces to an earlier repair. A documentation error in the parts ordering system allowed the wrong front passenger air bag module part number to be ordered for vehicles in this group. That means an air bag not approved for the specific Mercedes-Benz model was installed instead of the correct passenger air bag listed in the parts documentation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner will not get an advance alert from the vehicle because the concern is the installed part itself, not a wear pattern or dashboard warning that develops over time.
Who's affected?
Spans multiple C250, C350, AMG C63, Redundant C63 AMG, E350, and E400 model years, all involving the passenger-side front air bag.
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C250 | front air bag |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz Redundant C63 AMG | front air bag |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E400 | front air bag |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 | front air bag |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz C350 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 205 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect front passenger air bag can fail to protect the passenger properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the problem shows up, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair soon if included. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Mercedes-Benz C250, E350, AMG C63, C350, Redundant C63 AMG, or E400 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag replacement that addresses the incorrect air bag installed during a prior repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V638 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the vehicle needs any front-passenger-seat restrictions before the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the front passenger air bag covered by recall 21V638. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a related front passenger air bag repair before the recall notice, MBUSA's reimbursement process applies. Bring repair paperwork or contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 for the reimbursement path tied to this campaign.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 13, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| September 3, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 3, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 10, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V638?
Recall 21V638 covers 205 2011-2016 Mercedes-Benz C250, E350, AMG C63, C350, Redundant C63 AMG, and E400 vehicles with a front passenger air bag installed incorrectly during a prior repair. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the affected air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2016 Mercedes-Benz C250, E350, AMG C63, C350, Redundant C63 AMG, or E400 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V638. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag replacement. Reference recall number 21V638 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 replace the affected front passenger air bag free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V638?
The safety risk is that the wrong front passenger air bag can fail to work properly in a crash. That increases the risk of injury for the front passenger. If your VIN is included, have a Mercedes-Benz dealer replace the affected air bag for free.
When were owners notified about recall 21V638?
Mercedes-Benz mailed owner notification letters on September 10, 2021. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V638000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V638 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V638000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →