Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the ABS warning light remained activated. The contact stated there was also a grinding sound while depressing the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated while the vehicle started, the contact became aware that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted because the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V081000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer stated that the seat belt was malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Received a letter in the mail in 2016. Called local dealership (greenville, sc location) and was told they didn't have the parts/materials to fix the airbag issue. Asked if they would notify me when items were received, and dealership said they would not be receiving any parts to fix the issue because there was a shortage... They didn't know how to direct me. Wasn't sure what to do until a post card was received in the mail yesterday. I'm not certain of an except date. I recall it being in December of 2016 when I called the local dealership.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. 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. The contact called Mercedes-Benz of sugar Land (15625 southwest fwy, sugar Land, tx 77478, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 11/03/17 updated 11/13/2017
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repair were unavailable. The dealer (lokey Mercedes-Benz, 19820 us hwy 19 n, clearwater, fl 33764, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mercedes Benz GL450. The contact stated that the driver's side head-rest air bag inadvertently deployed while driving 65 MPH. The contact was not involved in a crash. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there was a short in the wiring system. The dealer replaced the wiring with a more sturdy type of wiring. The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 37,696.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. I'm writing to complain about the unacceptable length of time it is taking Mercedes to recall this part. Given we're driving around with what amounts to a grenade in our airbags, it shouldn't take a year and a half (and counting) between recall notice date and today...with no date for resolution yet identified by Mercedes. My family is at risk.
"Takata recall" dealership does not respond to my request to repair or replace air bag. Mercedes- Benz of new orleans is dealership where we purchased vehicle. Its over a year with the same response that they are waiting for parts. We are very concerned about our safety should we be in an accident.
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 GL450 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450, 50% of the model year's 42 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-081 (inflator module, Feb 11, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 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.