Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns 2011 Mercedes Benz E550. The contact stated that while her son was driving 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the vehicle and the air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the head but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. For the body work of the accident. The contact received NHTSA recall campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags) the vehicle was not taken to a dealer but the contact called Mercedes-Benz of westmont (200 e ogden ave, westmont, il 605590 and was informed them of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that part was not available for the repair. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,972. Part distribution disconnect. …
Takata recall. I bought the car new, received recall notices from mbusa in May and August 2016, stating that my driver's and front-passenger airbags have a defect related to safety. I have made four specific visits to the dealership in santa monica, simonson's Mercedes-Benz, asking that my airbags be replaced. Each time I've been told that there are no replacement airbags available.
Takata recall - I've contacted two dealerships (Mercedes Benz of san jose and mercdes Benz of stevens creek) both continue to say that there are no parts. I don't want to get injured by the airbag if there is an accident.
Takata recall -- considering how potentially dangerous and even fatal the malfunctioning Takata airbag(s) May be in my vehicle and that it has been known for years that the airbag(s) May produce deadly shrapnel, it is taking far too long to have the recall parts made available for replacement in my vehicle. Takata should be required to provide the safe replacement airbag components needed and/or Mercedes Benz should be required to ensure that the airbag(s) will be replaced immediately. The delay is completely unacceptable and both Takata and the auto manufacturers should be held accountable to get this resolved in all affected vehicles. The incident date listed below (7/20/18) is just the date of my complaint.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 and 19V010000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called Mercedes-Benz of nashville (630 bakers bridge ave, franklin, tn 37067, [phone]) and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer from atlanta called the contact and informed him that he was not supposed to receive the recall notification because it was a mistake. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Consumer stated the matter has been successfully resolved. No further action is required.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact's father owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (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 Mercedes-Benz of portsmouth at 309 portsmouth ave, greenland, nh 03840, phone number: [phone] where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and were 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 (air bags) and 16V363000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz of beverly hills (9250 beverly blvd, beverly hills, ca 90210, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that 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. Consumer stated the car is now fixed.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V363000 (air bags) and 16V081000 (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. Mercedes-Benz of ft lauderdale (244 s federal hwy, ft lauderdale, fl) 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz e550a. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 (air bags) and 16V363000 (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 was contacted (keeler motor company, albany, ny, [phone]) 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (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. Mercedes-Benz of smithtown, 630 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780 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.
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 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.
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 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550, 52% of the model year's 61 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-010 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019); 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.