The 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 has 12 recalls, the most serious being a transmission wiring harness defect that can cause an electrical short circuit and raise the risk of fire.
On the restraint and occupant safety side, the driver airbag may be the wrong version, causing the restraint system to malfunction in a crash. The front passenger seat may be missing a mechanical stop that limits its travel range, which can place the occupant too close to or too far from the airbag during deployment. Separately, the seatbelt pretensioners and the PRE-SAFE system, which tightens belts in anticipation of a crash, may fail to activate when needed. A software issue can also cause the engine to stall unexpectedly, raising crash risk, and the forward collision braking system may not apply automatic braking as intended.
On the electrical and systems side, a weak 12-volt battery can disable safety features including hazard lights, automatic door locks, and electric seat adjustment. The emergency call system has two related issues: it may fail to connect to emergency services at all, or it may send responders to the wrong location after a crash. The rearview camera can also go dark due to a software error, reducing rear visibility when backing up.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission wiring harness connection may not have been correctly wired during production or a prior recall repair, exposing the electrical connector to corrosion and potentially causing an electrical short-circuit.
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What the fix does
Dealers will replace the two-part wiring harness and connector at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 12-volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured. During a crash, it could shift and disconnect, disabling safety features like emergency calling, power seats, hazard lights, and automatic door locks.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure the 12-volt battery in the trunk to prevent movement during a crash.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission wiring harness may be routed incorrectly, exposing the electrical connector to corrosion and causing an electrical short-circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the connector, reroute the harness, and install an additional bracket at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error prevents the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to restore the backup image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat may lack a mechanical stop that limits how far it can move, allowing it to shift outside the safe position relative to the airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will check for the mechanical seat adjustment limit and install it if missing, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag or its software version may be incorrect, potentially affecting proper air bag deployment in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the driver's air bag and software, replacing or updating them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckles may be incorrectly detected as unfastened even when properly fastened, which can disable the PRE-SAFE® function and pretensioner.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace front seat belt buckles as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the radar sensor control unit may reduce or disable the Active Brake Assist system's ability to function properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radar sensor control unit software at no cost to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seatbelt buckle may incorrectly signal that the belt is unfastened even when properly fastened, which can prevent the seat belt pre-tensioners from engaging during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat belt buckles at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Central Powertrain Controller can reset unexpectedly while driving, which may cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the CPC control unit software at no cost to restore proper operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
