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Mercedes-Benz C 300 Recall 18V043: Passenger airbag may explode, sending metal shards into occupants

NHTSA campaign 18V043, reported January 10, 2018, 132,167 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. Over time, the propellant inside the inflator can degrade from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes, which can cause the inflator to explode.

If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, which may result in serious injury or death.

The repair is free. Mercedes-Benz USA will notify owners, and authorized dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag module at no charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on February 23, 2018, and a second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. You can also contact Mercedes-Benz USA customer service at 1-877-496-3691, and check your VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 18V043Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Mercedes-Benz AMG C6320102013
Mercedes-Benz C 300200920102013
Mercedes-Benz C 35020092013
Mercedes-Benz C2502013
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG2009
Mercedes-Benz E 35020102013
Mercedes-Benz E55020102013
Mercedes-Benz GLK2502013
Mercedes-Benz GLK35020102013
Mercedes-Benz SLS2013