Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Me, [redacted], and my ex-wife went to buy this car from a auto auction, plate where out state, but I figure wouldn't cost me much to register, bought it February 6, 2021 and I am kind of short in money to register car but then couple week after driving check engine pop up so I had free check engine by auto zone parts, so then it wasn't serious needed change oil change and filters, so I drove more so everything was going good ready for smoke check, but i didn't have the money so I ask my ex-wife to let me borrow money around May of month, so I was driving to her home, and out of no where I got hit in the front driver side lower fender from some silver low profile car, I was going 30's mile street but when I got hit by anomies driver the driver side bag pop up and also the passenger side too!! …
The contact owned a 2007 Mercedes Benz C230. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was notified. The local dealer was not contacted regarding the matter.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230. While the vehicle was idling at a traffic signal, another vehicle rear ended the contact's vehicle. In turn, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained chest, back, and neck injuries that did not require medical attention; however, the contact will be going to the doctor next week. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags), but the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (tafel motor company, 4156 shelbyville rd, louisville, ky 40207) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Mercedes Benz C230. The contact stated that while driving at 20-30 MPH, while it was raining and was making a left turn, the vehicle skid off the road as a result the contact went up on the sidewalk and crashed into a fire hydrant. The air bags failed to deploy. No warning indicator light illuminated. The contact sustained a leg injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and later towed to an insurance tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there will be an investigation and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 (na). While driving 25 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The passenger side air bag failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The passenger sustained bruises to the forehead and shoulder, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Relay/ fuse box in engine compartment caught on fire after I drove home from work I parked and entered my home. I returned to my vehicle and smelled a strong plastic burning smell immediately with concern opened the hood and found my relay/fuse box and wiring from under all melted severely. Called Mercedes bens and towed it right away. The dealer ship is trying to hold me responsible for damages that I strongly believe is a factory defect. I need help in this matter
Takata recall. Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa) has been unable to provide us with any estimate whatsoever as to when our vehicle May be repaired. We were notified of the recall in May. Just yesterday (15 September) we were told that NHTSA was determining when the parts would be made available to Mercedes-Benz, and that there is no way mbusa can tell us even approximately when the vehicle can be repaired. The dealer said that the NHTSA was in charge of the coordinated replacement plan. That's not what your web site says. Mbusa claims the vehicle is completely safe to drive, even though it is equipped with the same Takata psdi-5 drivers-side airbag inflator which has killed at least ten people in other automobiles. Mbusa bases this claim on the assertion that there has not been a reported death or injury caused by a defective airbag inflator in a Mercedes vehicle to date. …
Took car to dealership for recall service on driver airbag module, after driving away once job was finished noticed I was unable to turn steering wheel and the steering wanted to lock while driving.SRS light remained on. Smoke came out from under the hood and car was not overhearing, I called dealership and service advisor was gone and was not offered any additional help. I drove car slowly to my home and parked it on the street because I was unable to drive to the driveway. I opened hood and smoke was coming from power steering reservoir and also leaking fluid.I did not have any issues driving my vehicle prior to this recall service. I was put endanger along with my 2 kids and now having to fix other costly repairs and have no additional vehicle to drive. Flie size of picture exceeds upload limits.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated that the driver's side and arm rest air bags deployed while driving over raised pavement markers in a construction lane. The contact was driving 30 MPH at the time of the failure. Both of the driver's side tires were flattened and the aluminum rims were bent. The contact was sore, but was not injured. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and then to an independent mechanic where the two tires were replaced. The failure mileage was 126,224. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,224.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes Benz C230. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the front passenger air bag deployed without warning or impact. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a defect with the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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,…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Airbag complaints in other C230 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230, 25% of the model year's 212 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-081 (inflator module, Feb 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.