Driver side: inflator moduleRecall 16V-081 · Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. recall 16V-081 covers 711,159 Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz vehicles for a driver side: inflator module problem, reported to NHTSA on February 11, 2016. The manufacturer's latest report (2026 Q3) shows 65% of affected vehicles repaired.

65%
Vehicles repaired464,166 of 711,159 · 2026 Q3
Vehicles affected711,15925 models
ReportedFeb 11, 2016Owners notified Oct 18, 2016
Complaints since2,102Same system, after the recall

Source: NHTSA recall 16V081000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.

What's wrong

The problem

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.

What to do

The fix

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.

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.

Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Repair progress

How fast cars are being fixed

65%repaired

Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA.

0%50%100%2016 Q42026 Q3
Background

The investigation behind this recall

  1. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · open
    NHTSA