Second Hand Mercedes-Benz CLK Curtain Airbag

The CLK (both the W208 first generation and the W209 second generation) is a two-door coupe and cabriolet, and curtain airbags were not a standard fitment across the range — side curtain airbags are primarily designed for vehicles with a full roof structure and multiple rows of side windows, making them less applicable to a low-roofline two-door coupe and essentially redundant on the cabriolet. Some CLKs were fitted with side head protection or thorax side airbags built into the seat, but a deployable roof-rail curtain airbag as found on saloons, estates, and MPVs is not a recognised fitment on this model. If you've been told you need a curtain airbag, it's worth double-checking your VIN with a Mercedes-Benz dealer or specialist, as the part you actually need may be a seat-mounted side airbag instead.

The CLK typically uses seat-integrated side airbags (thorax/head airbags built into the outer bolster of the front seats) rather than roof-rail curtain airbags, which is the approach Mercedes-Benz used on this style of coupe platform. These seat airbags are specific to the seat assembly and vary by trim level and seat specification, so you'll need to match the part to your exact seat type. Because these are safety-critical, single-use components, always have them fitted by a qualified professional and confirm the exact module compatibility with the breaker against your registration number.

The W208 covers the first-generation CLK built from 1997 to 2002, while the W209 covers the second generation built from 2002 to 2009, and these are entirely different body and interior platforms — side airbag assemblies from a W208 will not interchange with a W209. You must source a seat airbag from the correct generation, and beyond that the trim level and seat specification within that generation also matter. Confirm the full details with the breaker against your registration to ensure the module matches your car's SRS system.

Yes, trim level can affect the side airbag fitment on the CLK because different trims (such as Elegance, Avantgarde, and AMG Sport) were offered with different seat specifications, and the airbag is integrated into the seat itself. You'll need to match the airbag to the correct seat type for your trim, so let the breaker know your trim level as well as your registration. As these are safety-critical, single-use parts, professional fitting is strongly recommended regardless of trim.

Both the coupe and cabriolet bodystyles were offered within the W209 generation (2002–2009), and while both use seat-integrated side airbags rather than curtain airbags, the specific airbag assemblies may differ between bodystyles due to differences in seat specifications and SRS system configuration. You should always confirm compatibility with the breaker using your registration number rather than assuming a coupe part will suit a cabriolet or vice versa. These are safety-critical components, so professional fitting is essential.

A roof-rail curtain airbag is not a recognised fitment on the Mercedes-Benz CLK in either its W208 (1997–2002) or W209 (2002–2009) form, so it's worth querying that quote carefully. The side head and thorax protection on the CLK is delivered through seat-integrated airbags rather than a separate curtain unit, so the part description may simply be a labelling or categorisation error. We'd recommend checking your VIN with a Mercedes-Benz specialist or providing your registration to the breaker so they can identify the correct seat airbag for your vehicle.