NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 has 15 recalls, the most serious involving fire risks from electrical faults: a loose 48-volt ground cable in the engine compartment can overheat, and the transmission wiring harness can cause an electrical short circuit.
A separate recall covers a fuel pump that can shut down without warning, cutting drive power while the vehicle is in motion. Several recalls involve occupant restraint and seating. Loose side crash sensor connectors can delay airbag and seatbelt activation in a side impact. The front passenger seat may lack a mechanical stop that prevents it from moving too close to the airbag, raising the risk of injury when the airbag deploys. On convertible models, rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted and can detach in a crash. The rear seatbelt locking retractors can release too early, preventing a child safety seat from staying properly secured.
On the electrical and technology side, a battery fault can disable safety features including hazard lights, automatic door locks, and the emergency call system. Speaking of that system, two separate recalls address the eCall function failing to connect to emergency services or reporting the wrong location after a crash. The multimedia system software can cause the backup camera display to go black or reboot, reducing rear visibility. Vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel may lose hands-off detection, disabling certain driver assistance warnings.
At a glance
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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.
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 48-volt ground cable connection in the engine compartment may not be properly tightened, causing the cable to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump may unexpectedly shut down, causing the engine to lose power while driving.
What the fix does
The fuel pump will be replaced at no cost to you at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
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
The hand detection system in the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may fail to sense when your hands leave the steering wheel due to a software error.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the hand detection control unit software at no cost to restore proper hand-off detection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side crash sensor connectors may loosen, potentially delaying airbag and seatbelt activation during a side impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side impact crash sensors as needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may stop working too early, preventing child car seats from securing properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear seat belt assemblies as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks due to defective guide bushings.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to go black or restart after startup, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying properly.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the multimedia system software, or you can receive the update over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty electrical contact in the seat position switch may prevent driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from activating during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat position switches at no cost.
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 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.