Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I received notification from Mercedes last year that I have a defective airbag, but they have not yet received the replacement part. I called about ten months later they said they did not have the part and my car is not really affected, it was a courtesy notification. I now have a notification that tk holdings inc is flinging for bankruptcy and I still do not have a replacement.
My car was only 7 years old and needed the airbags replace I can be driving my car in my air bags to give out that is very dangerous I was at least going 75 miles per hour scared the hell out of me. And there's a recall for the steering wheel of this vehicle
This description, exactly as you enter it, May appear in a public NHTSA database. Do not include any personal information (name, street/email address, phone number, social security/driver license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), etc.).
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V043000 and 16V081000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called Mercedes-Benz of memphis (5389 poplar ave, memphis, tn 38119, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact stated that she felt unsafe driving the vehicle and requested that action be taken to make the parts readily available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Vehicle purchase date should be on or before incident date updated 11/28/18
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz e550c. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 and 16V363000 (air bags). 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 Mercedes-Benz of smithtown at [phone] (630 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified 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/parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags). 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 (Mercedes-Benz of virginia beach, 4949 virginia beach blvd, virginia beach, va 23462 [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 received a postcard from tk holdings that they filed for bankruptcy. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V363000 (air bags) and 16V081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer Mercedes-Benz of delray (1001 linton blvd, delray beach, fl 33444, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
"Takata recall" I received a recall letter from Mercedes dated May, 2016 regarding recall # 20160220003 fdrive-side air bag module. NHTSA recall #16-v-081. It has been a year and I contacted them regarding this issue and they still have no fix and no eta for a fix. They told me to contact Takata. They admit in their letter that is a serious and potentially life threatening problem and will make it their "highest priority". Apparently, that means they need someone to die first. Maybe someone has...I don't know but will surely look into it. They clearly have no sense of urgency regarding this issue or for the safety of their customers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-Benz of denver (940 s colorado blvd, denver, co 80246, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 (air bags) and 16V363000 (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 vehicle was taken to crown eurocars (6001 34th st n, st. Petersburg, fl 33714) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. 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 › 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 E550 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550, 44% of the model year's 68 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-010 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-043 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-081 (inflator module, Feb 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
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.