2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG, M177 4.0L twin-turbo V8. This engine is marketed under Mercedes-Benz's "One Man, One Engine" philosophy — hand-assembled by a single master technician. It failed irreparably at 67,323 miles on a properly maintained vehicle owned by a 14-year Mercedes-Benz customer who has purchased six Mercedes-Benz vehicles. All maintenance performed on schedule with genuine OEM Mercedes-Benz parts at Mercedes-certified shops. At approximately 65,000 miles, check engine light illuminated with cylinder 7 misfire. A Mercedes-certified shop found and replaced a burnt spark plug and all 4 ignition coils with OEM parts. Misfire cleared. Three months later at 67,000 miles, shaking and check engine light returned. All 8 spark plugs replaced with OEM parts. Misfires returned within 100 miles — now on cylinders 1, 3, and 7 — accompanied by violent engine shaking and a fuel smell. Vehicle brought to authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Full diagnostic performed including borescope inspection. Confirmed: broken spark plug ceramic and unrepairable piston pitting in cylinder 4 and engine damage. Dealer confirmed engine is not repairable and recommends complete engine replacement. All findings documented on dealer repair order. Vehicle remains at the dealer and is available for inspection. Mercedes-Benz has published at least three Technical Service Bulletins on persistent misfires specific to this engine: LI54.21-P-062006 (multiple revisions — ECU ground faults, borescope protocol anticipating internal damage), LI07.61-P-073583 (post-turbo exhaust clamp failures), LI07.61-P-069688 (intake manifold cracks). Mercedes has acknowledged this defect pattern internally and has not issued a recall. Sudden power loss and violent shaking at highway speed is a direct safety hazard. NHTSA investigation warranted.
- NHTSA ID
- 11728122
- Incident
- Nov 3, 2025
My coils are faulty and needing to be replaced, but not part of the existing recall for C63s coils. On the message forums for C63s I’ve come across a lot of owners that are having issues not being part of the recall. Campaign No. 2017060008.
- NHTSA ID
- 11563384
- Incident
- Jan 3, 2024
Car lost all throtle on the highway, and when pressed on gas pedal nothing would happen. A death trap. it was very dangerous and car behind me almost hit me. Happened many times and the dealer could not fix it. Car just went out of warranty couple months ago
- NHTSA ID
- 11439685
- Incident
- Nov 6, 2021
EngineSteering
Filed Jun 5, 2021
The steering wheel won’t go up or down The auxiliary ratidator keeps getting damaged from road debris my 3 time replacing it
- NHTSA ID
- 11419734
- Incident
- Jun 5, 2021
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 21, 2018
I BOUGHT MY 2016 MERCEDES C63S AMG FROM A DEALER IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA (JACKIE COOPER BMW) AND THEY SOLD ME THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 10% TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES. SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE I CALLED THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY FLAT OUT DENIED ANY WRONG DOING. THEY CLAIMED THEY DID A "RIGOROUS INSPECTION" BUT SOMEHOW THE TIRES THAT WERE DOWN TO THEIR WEAR BARS PASSED IT. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I PURCHASED A $4100 TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE FROM THEM AND THEY ALSO HAVE NOT ACTIVATED THE SERVICE (AFTER 23 DAYS OF PURCHASE) SO I CANNOT GET NEW TIRES PUT ON WITHOUT PAYING AN EXTRA $1200 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES THAT THE CAR REQUIRES. MANAGEMENT HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF THE CALLS & THE SALES AGENT (BRYAN LEONARD) ALSO HAVE NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL. NEARLY A MONTH LATER AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE GARAGE WITH TWO BUSTED TIRES & NO WAY TO REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO EXPEDITE THE WARRANTY ACTIVATION. I FINALLY GOT TIRED OF WAITING SO I TOOK THE HIT FOR THE FRONT TWO TIRES AND PAID A MOBILE SERVICE TO COME OUT AND REPLACE THEM. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSING ME FOR THOSE 2 & ALSO REFUSING TO ACTIVATE THE WARRANTY SERVICE IN A TIMELY MANNER. I'VE ATTACHED THE PICTURES OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE THAT IS ON IT'S LAST THREAD & ALSO THE RECEIPT FOR THE FRONT TWO THAT I REPLACED OUT OF POCKET. IT'S DECEMBER 21ST NOW AND STILL NO ACTIVATION ON THE WARRANTY. I'VE NEVER FELT A BIGGER BAIT & SWITCH FROM A DEALER BEFORE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11162951
- Incident
- Dec 3, 2018
- Mileage
- 25,400 mi
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.