2010 Mercedes-Benz R350

The defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

The risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The remedy

MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 711,159 vehicles across all model years covered

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

towed · 72,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A VALVE IN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA complaint 10823136. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I called the Dealership to schedule the appointment. They told me they have no appointment available for next 3 weeks and even I wait for that long they will not be able to provide me a loaner car. The total job time is 4-6hrs I am not willing to wait that long. This dealership was not helpful at all in-spite of this is a very serious safety concern. STOP DRIVE REMEDY. Worst Customer Service for the brand we have.

NHTSA complaint 11515770. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

130,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and became stiff. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a faulty brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint 11502857. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle made a squishing an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that as the speed increased to 15-20 MPH, the issue ceased. The contact stated that upon driving for an extended period, the brake pedal became stiff. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the dealer declined to honor the recall repair because the original brake booster had been replaced by the previous owner. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The …

NHTSA complaint 11501488, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11492743. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

"TAKATA RECALL" STILL AWAITING REPAIR OF DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG NHTSA RECALL # 16V081 MERCEDES BENZ KEEPS TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART TO MAKE THE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint 11192443. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

"TAKATA RECALL" TO DATE MERCEDES BENZ STILL HAS NO TIMELINE OR DATE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON MY VEHICLE. THIS CRITICAL SAFETY RELATED RECALL IS OFFICIALLY ALMOST 2-YEARS OLD AND TO NOT HAVE PARTS YET AND OR A TIMELINE IS IRRESPONSIBLE. NOW WE ARE RECEIVING BANKRUPTCY "CHAPTER 11" NOTICES FOR "TAKATA" UNDER "CASE NO. 17-11375 (BLS)". THIS SAID NOTICE ADVISES US TO CALL OUR DEALER TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED; ONLY TO HAVE THE DEALER AND MERCEDES CORPORATE TO INFORM THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS! WHAT IS THIS? THIS IS HOW WE CONSUMERS AND OUR SAFETY ARE PROTECTED? DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A CATASTROPHE BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED? PLEASE ADVISE AS TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET …

NHTSA complaint 11040361, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.