Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350. 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. Mercedes-Benz of sarasota (4754 clark road, sarasota, florida 34233, [phone]) was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. In addition, the dealer stated that the parts would become available in December of 2018. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V081000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact called Mercedes-Benz of long beach (2300 e spring st, signal hill, ca 90755; [phone]) and was informed that she would be contacted once the remedy was available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. This complaint is to inform you that Takata / Mercedes Benz have yet to replace my airbag despite the fact that there has been a recall notice out since May of 2016. I spoke today with the dealer whom I purchased my car from new. I was told they were still waiting on parts.
Without warning while in motion, on a country road, an alarm went off stating "return to workshop" turn signals stopped working, dashboard when blank (no speedometer working), SRS alarm and could not put the vehicle in park or neutral.
"Takata recall" manufacturer has failed to provide replacement parts. Dealership unwilling to pursue manufacturer to deliver the parts. Leaving me and my family at risk of serious injury and death. "this is unacceptable"
I have reached out to Mercedes-Benz to have the 2 recalls fixed. They tell me I will receive a letter with instructions. I have not received any letters and it's been more than 6 months.
Takata recall. It seems to me that the government is protecting the manufactures and not the public. Mercedes, in particular, keeps pushing any action. If you read their extension letter dated 3/1/2018. Https://www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.dot.gov/files/documents/redacted_-_mbusa_extension_request_for_priority_group_4_3.1.18_revised.pdf it's pretty clear that addressing this is low on their priority list. They claim to have trouble obtaining a car and shipping it to Germany. Give me a break. I could have the car in less than a week and ship in another week to Germany. They ask for an extension until 6/30/2018. I now see that they have pushed it until 12/31/2018, probably because they are having trouble finding another model. I ask that you protect the public and stop giving extensions for ridiculous reason like not being able to obtain a particular model. …
Takata recall I got letters from Mercedes Benz every year since 2014. They informed me that my vehicle has a defective airbag inflator and they will come back to me for a service appointment. October 2017 a got a letter from tk holding inc. And they recommend me to contact my nearest dealership immediately to schedule a free repair. I called Mercedes Benz plano 10/24/2017 in order to set up a service appointment and to my surprise they told me my car has no recall and it's no problem with my cars airbag. I asked them to explain why I got letter from them during the last 3 years regarding recall of my vehicle. They said they must send out letters to all owners according to the law and it's no problem with my car. According to your website: recall status: recall incomplete remedy not yet available. …
Takata recall. Mercedes Benz had issued a recall for my airbags and had notified me in February 2016. The issue was not resolved and I received another notice in the mail from Mercedes Benz in January of 2017. The issue is yet to be resolved, even though Mercedes Benz claims they have not had any issues with their vehicles and that they sent the letter as a precautionary measure. It is now the end of November and they do not know when the repair kit will be available. It is going on almost two years and I feel like this issue has not been resolved in a timely manner. I drive in fear each day since this recall was issued. I have made numerous calls to the dealer and also Mercedes Benz corporate office to see if there are any updates about this recall and have got nowhere.
Takata recall - Mercedes Benz committed to a date and then reneged. Our vehicle is one of the oldest vehicles and in the highest priority zone for the Takata recall and airbag replacement. It is already two years past the deadline for Mercedes to have replaced the airbag. After weeks of emails and phone calls this past spring, Mercedes promised us the part would be ready on June 30. They repeatedly confirmed this date until the day passed and no part arrived. Now they say it will be December at the earliest, or that it could actually be years until the defective airbag is replaced. Meanwhile, this vehicle is dangerous to drive, but unlike other automakers, Mercedes is not offering a loaner vehicle to use safel yin the meantime.
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 ML350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 66% of the model year's 101 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 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 ML350 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 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.