Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. While driving approximately 70 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into a third vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the supplemental restraint system (SRS) malfunctioned. The contact stated that "SRS malfunction service required" appeared on the instrument panel each time a passenger occupied the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz of thousand oaks (3905 auto mall drive, thousand oaks, california 91362) was made aware of the failure and repaired the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 15V711000 (air bags), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Takata recall I have received several notifications regarding recall for my mb 2008 C350 re faulty airbags. I have called the dealership several times where I purchased the with no help to repair. They offer no help at all. I am concerned about driving given what May happen and thus drive very little and only short distances. What can be done to get this resolved and feel safe driving my car? Thank you. [redacted] ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).')
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V711000 (air bags) however, the remedy or part for the recall were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V711000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Passenger seatbelt is clicked on, but it kept on beeping showing that its not click on while driving. It does that very often since I got the car back in 2011. The same as the passenger airbag, the light sensor keeps on popping on and off while driving too. I dont know if this a problem I should take care of myself because of my daily driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. While driving 15 MPH, the front driver side SRS malfunction light became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start as the SRS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,050.
'Takata recall" in August 2016 I received an important safety recall notice (2016070003) in the mail. I have call several Mercedes Benz dealers and they keep telling me the parts will not be available until March 2018. It's been more than a year since the recall and the air bags have not been replaced.
Takara recall still has not been replaced, it has been over a year. I call the dealer and there response is "if I am so concerned not to drive the car" I have no option but to drive it os my only way to work. I need this fixed both air bags and mechanicals of air bags are on recall
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015.
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 C350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350, 36% of the model year's 144 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-017 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-363 (inflator module, May 26, 2016); NHTSA recall 16V-081 (inflator module, Feb 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.