STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, body & structure and powertrain (other) categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 153 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 2 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 6 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Other / unspecified350.0%
- Body & structure116.7%
- Powertrain (other)116.7%
- Seat belts116.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
12 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govCOMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43. The contact stated that the convertible roof headliner tension cord was frayed, and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The contact was advised that the headliner needed to be replaced or the cord needed to be restrung to allow the convertible top to properly fold down. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,090.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756702
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2026
- Mileage
- 52,090 mi
Front seat belts do not automatically retract.
- NHTSA ID
- 11667937
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2024
I drive 40-50 miles per day in this vehicle. I noticed a wobble develop last week, so I stopped into a local service shop to see if maybe a tire weight fell off. They brought me into the garage and spun all four tires individually in front of me...Every one of them was no longer a circle, more oval shaped. All four rims lost their shape. I drive this car on a highway to work every day with occasional potholes and rough concrete connections, but nothing notable over the last 11k miles I have put on the car in 8 months of ownership. The wheel repair shop who rolled them back in to shape told me "Mercedes-Benz and BMW are our most frequent customers" either for dents, cracks, or curb rash. He even went on to say "AMG rims may be the softest on the road. Even a speed bump going a little too fast will destroy an AMG rim." Sure enough, another C43 AMG was parked next to me in the parking lot when I picked my car up and a 2011-2013 C250 with the AMG sport styling package had just parked. I think seeing three AMG products in for the same reason is more than a coincidence. Furthermore, all four wheels to have lost their shape at only 33k miles total on the car is also hard to believe. After further research, it seems many Mercedes-Benz, especially AMG, drivers are facing similar problems; C43 with 5 cracked rims over 2 years, C43 with 1 rim replaced after 1 month of ownership, C43 with all new wheels after owner discovered 3 cracked rims out of the 4. Many stories. Given the violent wobble at highway speeds, it is scary to think that potholes could render these cars undrivable. These cars are advertised with performance in mind, yet rims that crumble under normal driving conditions, such as my 22 mile drive to work every day. Marketing speed and hardcore driving is reckless for cars prone to develop oval shaped wheels under these conditions. Specifically, the 19" AMG sport rims like the package on my car. No warning lights or anything either.
- NHTSA ID
- 11498249
- Incident
- Dec 19, 2022
I own a 2019 Mercedes AMG C43. I had 2 cracked rims which the insurance company claims that it is a manufacturers defect and not due to hitting holes in the road. The city of Chicago, where I reside, has many pothole problems. Which can be tough to avoid. After reading Mercedes Benz forums and finding there are many people having issues with these rims cracking. Most of my driving is in the city and not high speed but others have reported that the rims have cracked during highway driving and they have had tire losses as well. I believe there to be a risk with these rims cracking so easily, and causing damage to tires as well. Thought I should pass this on
- NHTSA ID
- 11478570
- Incident
- May 11, 2022
I have 2 cracks in my wheels that needed repair. These cracks were 180degrees from each other. No tire damage
- NHTSA ID
- 11448698
- Incident
- Jan 24, 2022
WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, PULLED UP WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR FOR A LEFT TURN; ONCE TRAFFIC CLEARED, ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH TURN BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. MOVED FOOT BACK TO BRAKE THEN TO GAS, STILL NO MOVED. TRIED TO CONFIRM VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, NOTICED MESSAGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL "TRANSMISSION FAILURE". VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OR OUT OF ANY GEAR, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, VEHICLE THEN SHIFTED AND MOVED NORMALLY. WAS ABLE TO CLEAR INTERSECTION.
- NHTSA ID
- 11204150
- Incident
- Apr 24, 2019
- Mileage
- 1,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: ‑ Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. ‑ Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged boot (see attachment). ‑ Cracks (1) ‑ High pressure cleaner (2) ‑ Animal bite (3) See various examples listed in the attachments for examples of outside influence. Remedy Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Replace electric steering. Note: Steering gears replaced due to outside influence or damage must not be claimed under warranty!
POWER TRAIN
Complaint • Harsh 1‑2, 2‑3, and/or 3‑4 shift • Jerky shifting • Jolting when accelerating from stop Cause Insufficient software application causing elevated K81/K27/B05 fill time adaptations and elevated torque adaptations for concerning shift. Note: Shift quality in E Performance models can be affected if the HV Battery state of charge (SOC) reaches 25% or below. Remedy Check VGS software level, and follow relevant remedy instructions. (see attachment) AMG 43 models with VGS software levels up to 22A: As of 4/18/2025, an aftersales software improvement has been released. This software has been implemented in production as of model year 2024, however this LI should still be followed if the concern is present. 232 ‑ A0009025699 206 ‑ A0009025599 Please ensure your Xentry machine is up to date with the latest Add Ons and continue with the following steps: Note: ALL steps must be performed to rectify concern 1. Perform software update all control units included in VGS software update. 2. Check transmission oil level and correct, if necessary (transmission oil temperature > 60 °C) 3. Perform Xentry Valve Flushing procedure at least 3x 4. Perform resetting of deceleration values (VGS > Special Procedures > Special procedure > Resetting learned values Deceleration mode) 5. Perform a standstill adaptation, then read out new EEPROM data 6. Perform driving adaptation(s) while adhering to the below parameters for at least 20‑30 miles. Note: There is no menu in Xentry for this procedure. We recommend displaying the torque in the instrument cluster. If all below parameters are met at the time the shift, a driving adaptation will automatically occur. Harsh 1‑2 Perform a driving adaptation of 4‑5 (adapts K81 for the 1‑2 shift) Harsh 2‑3 Perform a driving adaptation of 6‑7 (adapts B05 for the 2‑3 shift) Harsh 3‑4 Perform a driving adaptation of 3‑4 (adapts K27 directly) ‑ See attached PDF for min/max torque, and RPM parameters ‑ Transmission oil temperature > 30°C (>86°F) ‑ Level track (no incline/decline) ‑ Slippery drive program ‑ Display the torque in the instrument cluster ‑ Constant engine torque ‑ Do not shift via paddle AMG 63 models with VGS software levels up to 22A: No aftersales software resolution is planned. Perform above steps and release the vehicle. If the vehicle returns and already had ALL steps in this LI performed on a previous visit, or has software level 23A and newer: Please submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain inbox and ensure the following is included: ‑ Initial Quick Test w/ Freeze Frame Data ‑ VGS Control Unit Log ‑ Initial EEPROM (before any adaptations or Xentry procedures were performed) ‑ Detailed vehicle history of the complaint
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") • an XSS ticket may be necessary to add the SA code 2. Perform SCN coding of EIS N73 control unit 3. Deactivate the vehicle key (a successful deactivation is indicated by the LED lighting up 2x briefly and then 1x for a long period). 4. Place the vehicle key in the storage compartment on the key symbol and turn on the ignition. IMPORTANT: all other vehicle keys must be outside the recognition range of the vehicle when doing this! Perform steps 3 and 4 successively for all vehicle keys. Notes: 6th, 7th and 8th generation keys can be deactivated as follows: Up to modification year 22/1 by double clicking the "Lock button" As of modification year 22/1, by press and holding the “Lock button", then double‑click the “Unlock button" at the same time. On model series 167, the storage compartment with the key symbol is located in the armrest. The SCN coding from the EZS is only transferred correctly to the vehicle key under the following conditions: Only one vehicle key is located in the vehicle, this key has been deactivated and it is positioned on the marking in the storage compartment for the data transfer. The costs for this adaptation are to be borne by the customer. For the newer BR 174, 178, 244, 248, 520, and 540, a software update must be initiated, as there is no way to perform SCN coding.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage Detection ("DMTL") on your vehicle from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years / 50,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first). This applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership. Why the Warranty extension? On certain Model Year 2018 - 2024 A / C / CLA / CLS / E / G / GLA / GLB / GLC / GLE / GLS / GT / S / SL Mercedes-Benz vehicles, under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("MIL"). Any repairs under this warranty extension must be performed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. • If your preferred authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership performs a diagnosis and confirms that your vehicle has the issue, the repair will be covered under this extended warranty and performed at no cost to you. • This extended warranty does not apply to any other components or conditions beyond the ones mentioned above, and standard warranty terms apply, including the exclusions with respect to extra expenses, as identified in the Service and Warranty Information booklet.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics. Note: Please do not create TIPS. Please do not replace any components. HU/Hermes SW update / SCN coding will not fix the issue.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.