RoadVitals

2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Feb 2, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Feb 5, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 175 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes225.0%
  • Electrical225.0%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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.gov
21V058000

COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Feb 5, 2021
1,292,258 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
The risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCManufacturer number 2021020025View on NHTSA.gov
18V271000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Apr 27, 2018
42 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 4Matic, E300, E43 AMG, and E400 vehicles. The headlight horizontal adjustment screws on these vehicles may not be properly sealed behind a non-removable sealing cap to keep headlights from being readjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the headlight's horizontal aim is altered, a misaimed headlight may lead to an insufficiently illuminated roadway, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will retrofit the sealing caps for the headlights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018050012.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2018050012View on NHTSA.gov
18V151000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Mar 6, 2018
28 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 4Matic, E300, and E43 AMG vehicles fitted with LED headlights. These vehicles may have misadjusted headlights, possibly resulting in the low beam headlights insufficiently illuminating the roadway. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: An insufficiently illuminated roadway may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp adjustment, adjusting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018030005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2018030005View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the TPMS detected that the air in the driver’s side front tire was low. After adding air to the tire, the warning light later reappeared. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated that previously three of the four rims had been replaced or repaired, due to cracks developing on the rims, causing the tires to become deflated. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10,782.

NHTSA ID
11449942
Incident
Sep 14, 2018
Mileage
10,782 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 25, 2019

I STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, I SAW A POP UP ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ 'BRAKE ASSIST DISENGAGED'. AT THAT POINT THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART WITH NO SUCCESS, IT WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. AFTER SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, I JUST KEPT HITTING THE START / STOP BUTTON AND IT FINALLY TURNED OVER AND STARTED. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD WORK ON THE CAR IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN! IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN IT COULD RESULT IN A MUCH WORSE OUTCOME. I WAS DEAD IN TOWN TRAFFIC, HEADING STRAIGHT THRU A RED LIGHT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ID
11282125
Incident
Nov 21, 2019
Mileage
18,357 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2018

I WAS JUST DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET (9/20/18) AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE BRAKES ON MY E43 LOCKED UP LAUNCHING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER FORWARD AGAINST OUR SEAT BELTS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED; I HEARD THE REAR TIRES "CHATTER". THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP; THE BRAKES DISENGAGED AND WE ROLLED FORWARD. UNTIL I REALIZED WHAT HAPPENED I THOUGH I HIT SOMETHING. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT THERE WAS SOMEONE BEHIND AND BESIDE ME. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MERCEDES AND THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND CHECKED THE SENSORS AND REPORTED BACK THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY. SINCE THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING SPECIFIC - I FEEL THAT THE CAR HAS A DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RECALLED UNTIL A SOLUTION CAN BE DEMONSTRATED. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS EXACT OCCURENCE. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY - OR WORSE. THE CAR HAS PREMIUM PACKAGE 3 WHICH INCLUDES THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST PROGRAM. I SUSPECT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER PERSON REPORTED THIS WHEN CROSSING ONTO A BRIDGE. THAT WAS MY SPECIFIC EVENT ALSO; THE CAR DIPPED SLIGHTLY AS I WENT FROM STREET PAVEMEN TO BRIDGE PAVEMENT. PLEASE COMPEL MERCEDES TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTION AND TAKE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC; REGARDLESS OF HOW RARE THE EVENT MAY BE.

NHTSA ID
11132420
Incident
Sep 20, 2018
Mileage
21,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 27, 2018

RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT BLADDER EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A SMOOTH CITY STREET CAUSING RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. CAR WAS ONLY DRIVABLE AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY FLAT BED TO DEALER

NHTSA ID
11114098
Incident
Jul 14, 2018
Mileage
20,000 mi
Filed Oct 17, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE A PIECE OF DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD, THE SIZE OF A SMALL ROCK, STRUCK THE TEMPERED BUT NOT LAMINATED GLASS SUNROOF, SHATTERED IT, AND CAUSED IT TO DISINTEGRATE INTO MANY SHARDS OF GLASS, FLYING OVER, AROUND, AND INTO THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11034158
Incident
Oct 16, 2017
Mileage
7,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2017

DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTED FINE AND 10 MINS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED. DEALER REPAIRED AND SAID IT WAS A SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT REQUIRED AN UPDATE. SOME GLITCH!

NHTSA ID
11025117
Incident
Sep 18, 2017
Mileage
7,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI35.30-P-058566

POWER TRAIN

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

PSL-NCU Return Parts 6/19

ENGINE; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, July 9, 2026. After July 9th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

LI00.20-P-080703

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Service code B1 displayed in the customer menu does not match the workshop code displayed in the workshop menu, e.g., 505 or 550A, which includes a service A. Cause The root cause is currently being investigated. Remedy To determine the cause, the instrument cluster control unit (N133/1) and powertrain control unit (N127) logs are required before confirming the service or correction using XENTRY Diagnosis. Please open a TIPS case to BCE inbox with the requested information in the attachments.

LI82.85-P-080559

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is not supported for gray-market vehicles. Cause Before deactivating the HERMES control unit (N112/9), it must be clarified by the legal department of the respective MPC whether and under what conditions deactivation may be carried out. If deactivation is not permissible under applicable law, the HERMES control unit (N112/9) must not be deactivated. Remedy Please inform the customer that, following deactivation, the vehicle will no longer be able to place an automatic emergency call, nor will the customer be able to place a manual emergency call. After deactivation, the Mercedes-Benz Digital Extras will also no longer be available. Please have the attached sample form checked by your market's legal department, adapted to local requirements if necessary, and approved. Furthermore, after informing the customer about the effects of deactivation, please have the workshop complete and sign the approved form together with the customer, and send it to the MPC via a TIPS case for audit-compliant documentation. Furthermore, the workshop must affix a sticker to the emergency call button cover on the overhead control panel and to the emergency call button itself. After affixing, pictures of the overhead control panel need to be attached to the TIPS case for audit-proof documentation. After deactivation, the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is in the "Out of Service" operating status, and the display "SOS NOT READY" appears in the Audio/COMAND system. This display message tells the customer that the emergency call function is not available. In detail, the following steps must be carried out 1. The workshop must inform the customer about the effects of deactivation (see above) 2. Legal review by the MPC Legal department to determine whether deactivation is permissible for the vehicle and provision of a market-specific customer form based on the examples (see "Example - Deactivation communication module HERMES customer declaration English V3.0.pdf") 3. Completion of the market-specific customer form by the workshop and obtaining the customer’s signature 4. Creation of a XSS ticket by the workshop for the MPC with the signed customer form attached 5. Written confirmation of legally reviewed and approved deactivation by the MPC in the TIPS case (see attachment How+to+request+adding+Code+09o+via+XSS+v2.pdf, point 1) 6. Creation of an XSS ticket for documentation of the SA code "09o" (zero nine oh) in the Vehicle Documentation System (see attachment How+to+request+adding+Code+09o+via+XSS+v2.pdf, steps 2–7) 7. Ordering of stickers (part number A9078172900), quantity: 2 8. Affixing of the sticker (part number A9078172900) to the cover of the emergency call button on the overhead control panel (see attachment HERMES-Deactivation_+pictures+of+sticker.png) 9. Affixing of the sticker (part number A9078172900) to the emergency call button on the overhead control panel (see attachment HERMES-Deactivation_+pictures+of+sticker.png) 10. Taking photos of the applied stickers and attaching them to the TIPS case 11. After the XSS ticket has been successfully processed, the communication module must be deactivated using XENTRY: • Connect XENTRY Diagnosis • Access the HERMES control unit (N112/9) • "Adaptation" tab, menu item "Teach-in processes" -> "Deactivation" • Follow the instructions

LI82.85-P-080507

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two conditions are also met: • HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is ACTIVE and STORED (A+S) • Vehicle Documentation System: For the HERMES control unit, the EID1, EID2, ICCID, IMEI, IMSI, TELNR fields in the "Identification/Serial number" column have the value "-" Cause Still under analysis Remedy Recommission the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis 03/2026 and add-on 33399 installed or carry out the procedure with a newer version of XENTRY Diagnosis: XENTRY→ "N112/9 - Control unit for telematics services (HERMES)" -> "Adaptations" -> "Control unit commissioning" -> "Commissioning of previously installed control unit"

PSL-NCU Return Parts 5/22

POWER TRAIN; STRUCTURE:BODY

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026. After June 11th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

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

Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018610—
2017Viewing660—

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.