Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V017000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the recall notification stated mobile repair service was available however, the contact was declined the mobile repair service. The contact stated that she had been attempting to have the recall repair completed for almost a year. 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.
Contacted Mercedes because Dealer said it was a common problem. Airbag light was on. I was told that airbags could unsafely deploy as driving the vehicle and the issue was connected to the steering column. After looking online, I found that there are several drivers that could be in unsafe conditions while driving the car who reported the same thing. I contacted Mercedes to advise and Mercedes was dismissive. My concern is for innocent people that could be in danger because of Mercedes defects or possible negligence in addressing the safety issue that could lead to the loss of life.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while her husband had attempted to park the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning while his foot was on the brake pedal. The vehicle drove over the parking barrier and continued to accelerate forward for additional 25-30 feet before hitting a tree. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The driver was not injured in the crash; however, the contact was injured and was treated at a local hospital for injuries to the left side of her ribs. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was totaled at the scene and was initially towed to an independent tow yard; the vehicle was then towed to a salvage yard where it awaited an inspection. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. A dealer had yet to be notified of the failure. …
Accident in which vehicle will be totaled. No air bags deployed. Hit a pole on center divider. Mercedes roadside was on scene in minutes and towed my car. They said the system alerted them to the crash.
Takata recall - manufacturer has stonewalled and slow walked a resolution to replacement of the potentially deadly and dangerous Takata airbags. Consequently, I do not allow my wife and family to drive this car fearful of the implications of airbag deployment. The car basically sits in my garage and has low miles. Mercedes communicated a solution in February 2018 via the attached correspondence but has failed to remedy the issue. I'm stuck with this car since its trade-in value is negatively affected until the airbag is replaced.
Jan 18,2019 manufacturer recall number2019010001 NHTSA recall number19v010 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available Mercedes Benz alerted me of the problem 2 years ago and has done nothing to resolve the issue nor provided the timing to do so. I own a luxury, very expensive model. Per the recall, the faulty air bag is dangerous. It stated that: ' under certain circumstances during a crash that necessitates frontal airbag deployment, the defect in your passenger-side frontal airbag inflator May cause the inflator to explode. A passenger-side inflator explosion during deployment could result in metal fragments striking the front passenger or other occupants, possibly causing serious injury or death.' I do not feel safe driving my car. This is a major problem and it is their obligation to correct a defect that is a major safety issue. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz e350a. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 18V043000 (air bags). The contact stated that the recall date was changed by the manufacturer from January 10, 2016 to January 10, 2018 after she called about the recall. The contact called two dealers, including Mercedes-Benz of houston north at [phone] (located at 17510 I-45 north freeway, houston, tx 77090) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer Mercedes-Benz of north olmsted (28450 lorain rd, north olmsted, oh 44070) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V043000 (air bags); however, 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 contact called a local dealer (motor werks, 1000 w golf rd, hoffman estates, il 60169) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V043000 (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 dealer (Mercedes-Benz of catonsville, 6631 baltimore national pike, catonsville, md 21228, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
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 E350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350, 29% of the model year's 164 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-638 (frontal, Aug 13, 2021); NHTSA recall 18V-043 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2018); NHTSA recall 17V-627 (frontal, Oct 6, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 20% 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.