As of mid december 2017, the Mercedes benz of white plains cailms the air bag issue is not resolved yet. Waiting on recall for a very long time so that airbags can be corrected
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have filed 137 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
137
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 E-Class | 8 |
| 2009 E-Class | 5 |
| 2010 E-Class | 94 |
| 2011 E-Class (this page) | 137 |
| 2012 E-Class | 91 |
| 2013 E-Class | 55 |
| 2014 E-Class | 54 |
| 2015 E-Class | 11 |
6crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 137 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 13 model years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 137.
Airbags accounts for 46% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across 137 narratives is the Takata airbag inflator recall (campaigns 16V081000, 16V363000, 19V010000) initiated in February–August 2016. Owners received letters stating driver and passenger inflators posed a safety risk of rupture and shrapnel release, then waited for replacement parts that never materialized. Mercedes issued multiple priority-group shuffles and deadline extensions—August 2018 to December 2018 to September 2019 to July 2019—while dealers nationwide confirmed parts were unavailable. Some owners waited over three years. Mercedes and dealers blamed Takata's bankruptcy filing during the recall period and could not provide firm delivery dates. Without parts, vehicles sat in garages or were driven reluctantly, rendering them effectively unsaleable and untradeable. Owners reported hotline systems that did not answer and conflicting messages: recall letters warning of death risk while phone recordings claimed no danger. A few owners noted SRS lights illuminated, compounding concern.
In separate incidents, two collision narratives document airbag failures: one frontal crash resulted in driver-side airbag non-deployment despite heavy impact at 176,000 miles, and one side-impact at 130,000 miles left uncertainty about side curtain deployment. Both crashes caused serious injuries; both vehicles were totaled. One unrelated narrative describes an unintended acceleration event where airbags deployed correctly after pole impact. Owners consistently express frustration that Mercedes refused loaner vehicles during the years-long recall wait, unlike competitors such as BMW and Toyota.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator defect—prolonged recall unavailability
Driver and passenger airbag inflators subject to NHTSA campaigns 16V081000, 16V363000, and 19V010000 have been on recall since February–August 2016, but replacement parts remain unavailable across multiple priority groups and deadline extensions. Owners report Mercedes repeatedly pushing back repair timelines—from August 2018 to December 2018 to September 2019 to July 2019, with some waiting over three years. Mercedes and dealers cite part distribution issues and cannot provide firm availability dates. Takata's bankruptcy (filed during recall period) adds to confusion over responsibility.
When: Recall initiated February 2016 onwards; complaints span 2016–2019, with most focusing on delays from 2017–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unsafe to drive due to defective inflator risk (potential shrapnel/rupture); SRS warning light active in some cases, indicating system fault; Owners reluctant to allow family/passengers to use vehicle; Car effectively undriveable, unsellable, and untradeable in current state
Codes mentioned: 16V081000 (Driver airbag inflator recall), 16V363000 (Passenger airbag inflator recall), 19V010000 (Additional airbag recall)
Repairs/costs cited: No parts available for repair across dealerships nationwide. When available, replacement airbag inflators are installed at no cost under recall. Some owners report dealers offering to sell parts at owner expense if needed off-recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall Campaigns 16V081000, 16V363000, and 19V010000 issued. Mercedes-Benz sent multiple notification letters with repeatedly extended timelines. No loaner vehicles provided during recall wait. Takata bankruptcy proceedings cited as reason for supply delays. Mercedes hotline reported inoperative during peak complaint period.
Airbag non-deployment in frontal collision
In at least one documented frontal crash (vehicle stopped at intersection, hit by other vehicle running red light), driver-side airbag failed to deploy despite significant frontal impact causing hood and fender crumpling. Vehicle was totaled; occupant suffered chest injuries from unmitigated steering wheel impact.
When: Approximately 176,000 miles; specific year/date not provided in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag did not deploy on frontal impact; Chest injury sustained from striking steering wheel; Upper back and arm pain; Vehicle totaled from collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to impound, declared total loss by insurance. No repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was informed of failure; no further action documented.
Delayed or questionable airbag deployment in side-impact collision
Vehicle struck on driver-side front door at 30–35 mph; steering wheel and knee airbags deployed, but occupant uncertain whether side curtain airbags deployed. Emergency responders cut away potential curtain airbag during extrication. Occupant sustained serious pelvic fracture in four locations and left arm fracture.
When: Approximately 130,000 miles; specific date not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel and knee airbags deployed as expected; Uncertainty about side curtain airbag deployment status; Severe pelvic injury (four-location fracture and dislocation); Fractured left arm; Vehicle totaled
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to salvage yard, deemed total loss by insurance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not made aware of failure per narrative.
Unrelated unintended acceleration and airbag deployment in single-vehicle crash
While making a left turn at an intersection, vehicle suddenly accelerated despite driver applying brakes. Vehicle became uncontrollable, jumped curb (captured on property camera), crashed through fence, and struck utility pole. Impact triggered both driver-side airbags. Vehicle was totaled. Occupant hospitalized with L1 compression fracture and referred to orthopedic specialist. Two days later, occupant was issued warning for failure to control speed.
When: Approximately 1:30 PM on a clear day; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration while stopped at intersection; Brakes failed to engage despite hard pedal application; Vehicle became uncontrollable; Vehicle jumped curb and became airborne per witness camera; Crashed through fence and struck pole; Driver-side airbags deployed upon pole impact; L1 compression fracture with mild anterior wedging of spine; Pain and elevated blood pressure preventing return to work
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled, no repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. (Note: This narrative describes throttle/brake control failure, not airbag malfunction per se, but airbags deployed as designed upon impact.)
Synthesized from 137 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
I have received a letter from Mercedes benz usa, dated december 2017, informing me (again) that the driver's side airbag is on recall, but that no part is yet available for replacement. I am to be notified when part becomes available. The problem is that I live on kaua'I and the nearest authorized Mercedes dealer is Mercedes benz of honolulu. It would cost me several hundred dollars to have…
Takata recall, scared to drive my car and need this fixed asap
Takata recall. I was informed that the driver and passenger airbags had both been issued a recall notice. I called Mercedes-benz of naples in naples florida and they said they could not get replacement parts. It has been six months and no word when I might expect a remedy. I want an answer as to when I can expect replacement of these air bags.
Replacement recall was never resolved
"takata recall" - 2 airbags recalls for front driver and passenger airbags. Been waiting for 2 years and still showing remedy bot available. Thanks
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-benz e350. 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. Betten imports (5901 28th st se, grand rapids, mi) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-benz e350a. 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 houston north at (281) 305-8970 (17510 north fwy,…
Takata inflators recall but the Mercedes dealership has not yet replaced the airbag.
Takata recall NHTSA recall number 16v081 was issued on february 11, 2017. Nearly two years later, no remediation is yet available. I am the current owner and a resident of marietta, georgia. This vehicle was originally sold and registered in florida meaning that this vehicle has spent the vast majority of it's life in a high humidity environment. With takata recently declaring…
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-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 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 137 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?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2011/Mercedes-Benz/E-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.