Takata recall - I received notification in october 2017 tk holdings inc.'s chapter 11 bankruptcy. This was the first notification that I received that my 2014 Mercedes c300 had a recall. The manufacturer and dealer never provided one. I looked up on-line regarding the recall and discovered my car is affected. I had scheduled services at the denver Mercedes dealership on 12/28/17 and took in…
2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have filed 142 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 40,000 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
142
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 C-Class | 192 |
| 2011 C-Class | 260 |
| 2012 C-Class | 307 |
| 2013 C-Class | 257 |
| 2014 C-Class (this page) | 142 |
| 2015 C-Class | 18 |
| 2016 C-Class | 7 |
| 2017 C-Class | 13 |
| 2018 C-Class | 3 |
14crashes
12injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 142 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 50% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 142 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
The 2014 Mercedes C-Class airbag system presents multiple, serious failure modes. The most prevalent is the Takata passenger-side inflator defect—a manufacturing flaw where the inflator can explode during deployment, sending metal fragments through occupants. Owners have been notified of this recall under NHTSA campaigns 17V627000 and 19V010000, but parts have been unavailable for years. Owners consistently report scheduling repairs only to learn parts won't arrive—timelines stretch from six months to indefinitely, with one dealership stating six years. Some owners received recall notices in 2017 or 2018 and are still waiting.
Separately, steering-wheel and driver-side airbags are deploying without any collision or accident—one parked with keys in the ignition, another during normal operation. The SRS warning light recurs after reset, suggesting an unresolved electrical fault.
When accidents do happen, airbags fail to deploy during frontal impacts. One owner T-boned another vehicle at 30–35 mph; neither driver-side airbag deployed, causing hand fractures requiring surgery, knee injuries, and other trauma while the other driver's airbags functioned normally.
After the passenger Takata replacement, driver-side airbags require separate replacement—dealers estimate $2,600+, which Mercedes refuses to cover. Owners cannot safely drive vehicles, cannot sell them due to open recalls, yet must continue payments and taxes. Dealers and Mercedes provide no concrete parts timelines or alternatives.
Same Mercedes-Benz C-Class airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Passenger-Side Airbag Inflator Defect
Passenger-side frontal airbag inflator prone to exploding under crash deployment conditions, sending metal fragments through the airbag cushion and potentially striking occupants.
When: Under crash conditions requiring frontal airbag deployment; some complaints indicate discovery via recall notification years after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illumination; Metal fragmentation visible in deployed airbags; Passenger airbag disabled indicator light; No deployment during crashes despite impact severity
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 17V627000, NHTSA Campaign 19V010000
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side airbag replacement; parts chronically unavailable—owners report 6-month to multi-year delays or indefinite unavailability; one dealer cited 6-year parts shortage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall issued; Mercedes-Benz issued replacement parts directive through dealer network; owners cite manufacturer inability to confirm parts availability timelines; some dealers unable to provide loaner vehicles during repair waits
Spontaneous Airbag Deployment (Steering Wheel/Driver-Side)
Driver-side or steering wheel airbag deploying without collision, impact, or any accident condition while vehicle is parked or being operated.
When: One owner parked with keys in ignition; another incident during normal vehicle operation without collision
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploying while parked with keys in ignition; Steering wheel airbag deploying without accident or collision; SRS warning indicator illumination
Codes mentioned: SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning indicator
Repairs/costs cited: SRS warning indicator reset by independent mechanic and dealer; failure recurred in at least one case after dealer reset (34,200 miles); no permanent fix applied
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz customer service instructed owner to stop driving and have vehicle towed to dealer; after reset, dealer stated 'nothing more they could do'; manufacturer did not assist further
Airbag Non-Deployment During Frontal Collision
Front airbags failing to deploy during frontal or near-frontal impacts at highway and moderate speeds despite sufficient crash severity.
When: At 30–40 mph impacts; one incident at highway speed during emergency braking collision
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment despite frontal collision; Driver impacting steering wheel directly; Passenger impacting dashboard; Occupant injuries from unmitigated impact forces
Repairs/costs cited: One incident resulted in fractures (metacarpal, requiring surgical plating and screws), knee injuries, sprains, and rotator cuff damage requiring ongoing therapy; another resulted in fractured nose, lip laceration, and facial injuries; third involved no injuries but airbags were visible and loose in seats
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer or dealer contact in most cases; one vehicle had airbag failure noted to dealer but no diagnosis or repair performed
SRS Warning Light Recurring After Reset
Supplemental Restraint System warning light illuminating repeatedly and recurrently after dealer reset, indicating unresolved electrical or sensor issue in airbag system.
When: At 34,200 miles initial failure; recurrence within days after reset
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning indicator light illumination; Persistent warning after dealer reset; Recurrence of light after 5-day repair visit
Codes mentioned: SRS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic reset indicator; Mercedes dealer reset after 5 days; light reappeared within days of return; dealer advised no further assistance available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but did not assist; Mercedes customer service instructed owner to tow vehicle immediately upon SRS light illumination
Driver-Side Airbag Failure Post-Takata Recall
Driver-side airbag requiring replacement after passenger-side Takata airbag replacement completed under recall, suggesting systemic defect not limited to passenger side.
When: After passenger-side Takata recall replacement completed
Symptoms owners cite: Driver airbag warning light illumination; Need for driver-side airbag replacement flagged by dealership
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 19V010000 (related)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimate $2,652.29 for driver-side airbag replacement; owner questioned logic of passenger-side failure but driver-side acceptance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz unwilling to assist or cover cost; owner concerned about unpredictable deployment or failure-to-deploy on both sides
Recall Parts Shortage and Indefinite Unavailability
Airbag recall parts unavailable for extended periods—months to years—after recall notification issued, leaving vehicles in unsafe condition and owners unable to use or sell vehicles.
When: From recall notification onward; shortage persisting from 2017–2019 through at least 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received; Parts unavailable when repair scheduled; Repeated dealer and manufacturer inquiries yielding no availability timeline; Owners unable to use vehicle or sell it due to unresolved safety recall
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 17V627000, NHTSA Campaign 19V010000
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report waiting 6+ months to multi-year delays; one dealership told owner parts would not be available until 2020 or later; one cited 6-year shortage timeline; owners report continued monthly payments on unusable vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz and dealers unable to confirm parts availability; one manufacturer representative stated parts availability expected May 2020; others offered no timeline; no loaner vehicles provided in most cases; one escalation claim submitted to manufacturer resulted in no response
Front Passenger Airbag Disabled Indicator Light
Passenger airbag disabled indicator light illuminating, signaling loss of airbag protection on passenger side.
When: At approximately 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front passenger airbag disabled indicator illumination
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 19V010000 (related)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed parts not available for recall remedy; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; unable to confirm when parts would become available
Synthesized from 142 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
I received notice that takata air bag on passenger side can explode and send metal fragments striking the front passenger possibly causing death. Since 2017 nothing has been done to remedy situation.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-benz c250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v627000 (air bags). 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 contact called Mercedes-benz of richmond at (804) 755-9300 (8225 w. Broad st., henrico, va 23294) and…
Received safety recall interim notice from Mercedes benz dated february 2019, regarding air bag defect. Have not been contacted since regarding repair.
According to Mercedes-benz's recall website specifically for takata airbag recalls (https://www.mbusa.com/en/recall/takata-recalls), the parts for my vehicle will not be available until august 2020. The recall was reported on jan 18, 2019. This time frame of almost 2 years is unacceptable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v627000 (air bags). 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 contact called critz | Mercedes-benz of savannah dealer (7000 abercorn st, savannah, ga 31406) and was informed that the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-benz c300w4. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags). The contact called feldmann imports Mercedes-benz (4901 american blvd w, bloomington, mn 55437, (952) 837-6300) and was informed that the parts were pending and unavailable. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a…
I recieved a recall on my vehicle for electrical grounding and inadvertant airbag deployment. However despite multiple calls to the local Mercedes benz service center for the last past one month, I was told the "part" was not available and that they were waiting for it from the company. I feel one month is quite a long time to get a"part" which is o a recal safety issue. I wonder if you could…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-benz c250w. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags). Mercedes-benz of raleigh (5607 capital blvd, raleigh, nc 27616, (919) 573-5050) and the manufacturer were contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V010000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The…
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-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 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 142 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 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 27,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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/2014/Mercedes-Benz/C-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.