Takata recall airbag defective
2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class airbags problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 29 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 44% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 29 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2010 GL-Class is affected by Takata airbag recall 16V081000, but repair parts remain unavailable years after recall issuance — a genuine safety risk if you need the recall done. One unrelated case reported airbag wiring issues causing inadvertent deployment, though this appears uncommon.
Twenty-nine complaints cluster heavily around the Takata airbag recall (NHTSA 16V081000). Owners received recall notices starting in 2016 but found replacement airbag inflators consistently unavailable through dealers, with backordered status persisting 1.5+ years. Mercedes-Benz acknowledged the shortage and could not provide estimated repair dates. Owners reported contacting dealers in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico—all with the same message: parts not in stock, no timeframe for arrival. The delay intensified owner concern because recall documents reference potential for serious injury or death from faulty inflators. Takata's subsequent bankruptcy filing added to frustration.
One unrelated case involved a driver-side head-rest airbag deploying at 65 mph without collision or impact; the dealer diagnosed a wiring short and replaced the harness with sturdier gauge. Another owner reported an airbag warning light; the dealer attributed it to a seat belt issue, leaving it unrepaired. A fourth narrative documented a frontal collision at 55 mph where airbags deployed; the owner sustained arm bruising, pain, and a broken foot, though the vehicle was destroyed and not examined by the manufacturer. Most complaints emphasize frustration with unresolved safety status rather than documented failures.
Same Mercedes-Benz GL-Class airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag recall — parts unavailable
NHTSA Campaign 16V081000 issued for defective Takata airbag inflators. Owners received recall notices starting in 2016, but dealers across multiple states reported parts backordered or unavailable indefinitely. Manufacturer could not provide part-availability timelines. Delay stretched 1.5+ years with no resolution date communicated to owners.
When: Recall notice received 2016 onward; parts still unavailable as of 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; Dealer confirms parts unavailable; Manufacturer unable to confirm parts availability
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V081000
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts (Takata airbag inflators) on backorder; dealers unable to source. Some dealers reported 8-week estimated wait. Owner responsibility to contact dealer, but dealers offered no workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V081000 (Air Bags) issued; Takata filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy during recall period. Mercedes-Benz did not provide estimated repair timelines and acknowledged parts unavailability.
Airbag inadvertent deployment — wiring short
Driver-side head-rest airbag deployed without collision at highway speed (65 mph). Dealer diagnosed a short in the wiring harness. Replacement wiring installed with more durable gauge. No injury reported.
When: 37,696 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed during normal highway driving (no crash); No collision or impact preceding deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wiring harness with more sturdy gauge wiring.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; complaint filed.
Airbag warning light with unclear root cause
Airbag warning light illuminated after vehicle start. Vehicle had been serviced under recall campaign 16V081000. Dealer attributed issue to malfunctioning seat belt rather than airbag system. Vehicle not repaired.
When: 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on dashboard illuminated
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V081000
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. Dealer cited seat belt malfunction but did not repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and case filed; status unclear.
Airbag deployment in collision — user injuries
Vehicle involved in front-end collision at 55 mph. Airbags deployed as designed. Owner sustained bruising to both arms, moderate-to-severe pain, and a broken right foot requiring medical attention. Vehicle towed to salvage and destroyed. Police report filed. This complaint documents deployment performance in an actual crash, not a defect per se.
When: 117,132 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed in frontal collision at 55 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss and destroyed; no repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not notified; vehicle not taken to dealer.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
Takata recall - the dealer motorworld in wilkes-barre, pa will not replace the airbags.
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 inflators remedy for recall of takata airbags still not available one and a half years after the recall was issued. I am in zone a, phase 1, which should be completed first.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-benz gl350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v081000 (air bags). 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 (centennial imports Mercedes-benz, 30550 w. Navy blvd, pensacola, fl 32505) was…
"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.
Takata recall very concerning that my car is included in the airbag recall yet the airbag mfr has filed for chapter 11. I want this resolved and corrected so I can feel safe driving my car!
Takata recall. Mercedes is not correcting this safety issue in a timely matter and have failed to provide me with even an estimated timeframe.
Takata recall, airbags not in stock at dealer, 8 week wait per service department. Dangerous situation to wait so long for replacement of driver side airbag.
Takata recall
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 29 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 100,341 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Mercedes-Benz/GL-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.