The 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 has 10 recalls, the most serious being a transmission wiring harness defect that can cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, and some vehicles may also have been affected during original production.
Two recalls address the front passenger seat, which may lack a proper range limiter, allowing it to move too close to the airbag and raising the risk of injury if the airbag deploys in a crash. There is also a concern with the 48-volt battery system, where a failure can disable safety features including hazard lights, electric seats, and automatic door locks during a crash.
Several recalls cluster around the vehicle's emergency communication system. The eCall function, which contacts emergency services after a crash, can fail to activate, transmit an inaccurate location, or send responders to the wrong address entirely. A separate recall covers the rearview camera, which can go blank due to a software error and reduce the driver's 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 passenger seat limiter may not prevent the seat from moving too close to the front air bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter to ensure proper positioning away from the air bag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module may have been turned off during service, disabling the Emergency Call function that connects your vehicle to emergency services.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the communication module and reactivate it if needed, at no cost to you.
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
An electrical circuit in the Emergency Call System communication module may be damaged, causing the system to send an inaccurate vehicle location during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the communication module at no cost to restore accurate location transmission.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
