2011 Mercedes-Benz Sls

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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

LETTER ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENT RELATIVE TO HER INABILITY TO GET THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG REPLACED PURSUANT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ RECALL OF HER VEHICLE. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID

11191850

Incident

Mar 13, 2019

TAKATA RECALL-STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED REPLACEMENTS! IT HAS BEEN 2-1/2 YEARS SINCE THE RECALL STARTED FOR MY VEHICLE!

NHTSA ID

11144451

Incident

Oct 31, 2018

TAKATA RECALL--STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS FOR MY VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN 2-1/2 YEARS SINCE THE RECALL STARTED!

NHTSA ID

11131932

Incident

Sep 27, 2018

2011 MERCEDES BENZ SLSC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY PEDAL MISAPPLICATION RESULTING IN THE CRASH. THE CONSUMER DISAGREED STATING THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *JS *TR

NHTSA ID

10920658

Incident

Jun 10, 2016

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A DEALER WHO HAS ANY INFLATORS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. NHTSA RECALL - 16V081 AND NHTSA - 16V363

NHTSA ID

11053671

Incident

Feb 11, 2016

MERCEDES CANNOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIR BAG. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THIS FOR A YEAR FOR TWO CARS.

NHTSA ID

11047746

Incident

Apr 1, 2016

Display in IC "Check engine oil pressure control"

Replace Driver-Side and (if applicable) Front Passenger Air Bag

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Engine diagnosis indicator lamp lights up in instrument cluster

iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8

Creaking noise when adjusting electrical steering column