Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (29.2% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 3.4× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 47 · 29.2% | Recalled | Recall 21V638000 · Recall 17V627000 · Recall 18V043000 |
| Service Brakes | 29 · 18% | Investigation closed | DP20004 |
| Engine | 15 · 9.3% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 14 · 8.7% | Recalled | Recall 15V088000 |
| Suspension | 13 · 8.1% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 12 · 7.5% | Recalled | Recall 17V177000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 161 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V787000 · 2019 · reported 11/01/2019
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
NHTSA campaign 21V638000 · 2021 · reported 08/13/2021
An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V627000 · 2017 · reported 10/06/2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V177000 · 2017 · reported 03/14/2017
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V043000 · 2018 · reported 01/10/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V088000 · 2015 · reported 02/13/2015
If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO…”NHTSA complaint 11403894 — filed 03/19/2021 · AIR BAGS
“2013 MERCEDES BENZ E. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING…”NHTSA complaint 11388036 — filed 01/11/2021 · AIR BAGS
“I'VE BEEN TOLD FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW THAT MERCEDES WAS GOING TO REPLACE THESE TAKATA AIRBAGS. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE NO LATER…”NHTSA complaint 11386082 — filed 01/02/2021 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 47 of 161 NHTSA complaints (29.2%), followed by service brakes (29), engine (15), unspecified/other issues (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
161 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V787000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
