ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and engine categories. 15 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 206 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 5 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance342.9%
- Electrical114.3%
- Engine114.3%
- Powertrain (other)114.3%
- Seat belts114.3%
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
15 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.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Was driving the car when it gave me a -48v malfunction. This was quickly followed by an overheat warning to turn the car off. It appears to be an issue with the -48v battery. Still waiting to hear what root cause is as MBUSA has had the car for 24 days and counting without many answers.
- NHTSA ID
- 11534064
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Automatic Emergency Braking / Selt Belt Pretensioner. Car can be inspected at dealer during a scheduled service if needed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was driving on a local road (paved, no painted road markings, some small cracks/pot holes but all minor) that I frequently drive without issue. This time as I was coming out of a minor left-hand curve and about 30 meters from a slightly sharper right hand turn the Automatic Emergency Braking warning light activated, as well as the warning alarm, and the Seal Belt Pretensioner engaged and yanked me (driving) back (as it would if the vehicle was preparing for a collision. However, the vehicle never activated the brakes to slow the vehicle and the warning light and alarm deactivated and the seat belt released the tension. There were no vehicles coming from the other direction, no animals or pedestrians in sight. There is a utility pole located about 2-3ft off the right side of the road near this area. I've now had this occur two more times (three total) in the same location driving in the same direction. Twice I was the only occupant, and once there were two occupants, one in the driver's seat and one in the passenger seat (the Seat Belt Pretensioner activated for both occupants). Safety Issue: Automatic Emergency Braking System activating unexpectedly and unnecessarily. When Automatic Emergency Braking System is activated the Seat Belt Pretensioner activates and forcefully restrains the occupant (as I assume it should the vehicle expects a collision or harsh braking). This is very surprising and distracting for the driver (and in one instance also a passenger, who afterwards said they remarked they felt like it almost gave them a heart attack). This can lead to an accident given the unexpectedness. Additionally, the brakes never engaged or slowed the vehicle in any of the three instances.
- NHTSA ID
- 11497646
- Incident
- Jun 2, 2022
The doors are very Heavy and it is difficult to get it to stay open. Additionally if the car is on a slight uphill and the door is fully open, the door tends to start closing and is not held in place-it becomes very dangerous if you are stating to get out of the car.The door is so heavy that a leg can get caught and broken I have advise Mercedes of this problem but they tell me that the tension is not adjustable It is very dangerous getting both in and out even wee on a flat surface and much more dangerous on the slighted of inclines
- NHTSA ID
- 11462896
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2022
Car displays blank screen when transmission is placed in reverse with the words in RED: "System Inoperative".
- NHTSA ID
- 11431562
- Incident
- Sep 2, 2021
WHILE GOING 45 MPH ON A CLEAR FOUR LANE SMOOTH BLACKTOP CITY STREET THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE EMERGENCY STOP. A RED TRIANGLE APPEARED ON THE DASH BUT BECAUSE OF THE STARTLING NATURE I COULD NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS EMERGENCY STOP, THIS STREET WAS FAMILIAR AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN DAILY FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER.
- NHTSA ID
- 11373428
- Incident
- Nov 4, 2020
- Mileage
- 90 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
POWER TRAIN
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of the on‑going quality monitoring process and associated quality and damaged part appraisals, a high number of ineffective repairs have been discovered. Such ineffective repairs have a negative impact on all those involved. For the customer, it means high costs and long repair times and for the dealer, it may result in the warranty claim being rejected. Remedy General note: IPR is available for: ‑ NAG3 Classic (automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 Classic ‑ AMG sport model (AMG 43 and AMG 53 with converter, automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 Classic ‑ Hybrid (automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 Classic ‑ AMG 63 (automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 MOPF ISG2 (automatic transmission 725.1) ‑ NAG3 MOPF Hybrid (automatic transmission 725.1) ‑ NAG3 MOPF AMG sport model (AMG 53/AMG 53e with ISG48V2 & converter /hybrid, automatic transmission 725.1) ‑ NAG3 MOPF AMG 43/63 with engine 139/177 (automatic transmission 725.1) Steps for the Service Advisor: Important: The more information and detail that can be given to the workshop about the complaint, then the more effective the subsequent diagnosis with IPR can be. To this end, a detailed service reception questionnaire has been provided to help the Service Advisor ask the right questions about the complaint. ‑ Ask precise details about the customer complaint and the conditions and context. ‑ Fill out the service reception questionnaire (please see WIS document: OF27.00‑P‑3000‑05A) for customer complaints in detail and forward it to the workshop. Operation steps for the workshop employee: 1. Perform quick test 2. Access the transmission control unit via XENTRY Diagnosis 3. Select "A customer complaint has been received" and carry out all subsequent operation steps (IPR diagnosis path). 4. The IPR repair instructions are displayed, Carry out the IPR repair instructions without performing any further diagnostic or repair steps. ‑ Important: The IPR repair instructions are binding and must be carried out. Differing repairs are possible; such repairs must be documented in XENTRY in free text. Please observe the information regarding the IPR diagnosis process in XENTRY. Conventional diagnosis and subsequent appropriate repairs are only permitted if IPR does not specify any repair instructions. Invoicing for the guided IPR steps: Operation item 27‑0640 and 0.1 hours Notice regarding warranty: The use of IPR in association with warranty claims is mandatory! If the IPR repair instructions are disregarded without justification, the warranty claims may be rejected and/or are subject to debit. IPR will provide a measure to repair the vehicle based on various data sources (EEPROM, fault codes, etc). Please consider the vehicle maintenance record of the vehicle. For warranty and goodwill repairs, the transmission ECU test log and/or IPR test result must be uploaded into Paperless XENTRY Diagnosis (pXD) . If repair is being determined based of oil pan condition pictures of oil pan MUST be provided to warranty as justification. ·Tamper‑proof documentation: The IPR repair instructions are stored in the control unit log. Please file this document in a tamperproof manner ‑ either in digital form or as a hard‑copy printout and also enclose a printout with the damaged part. In this regard, please comply with the country‑specific warranty requirements of the MPC/general distributor.
SERVICE BRAKES
Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as a whole needs to be checked for other possible contributors. 1. Prior collision damage. 2. Excessive vehicle sitting times without rotating components. 3. Wheel bearing/hub lateral runout. 4. Wheel mating interface has been overtightened (did not follow WIS torque procedures). 5. Mating interfaces have been excessively modified (painted, gouged, bent, etc...). Remedy Read through the entire attached worksheet prior to performing. After performing, please review the final page and perform work accordingly. NOTE: This document is not pre‑authorization or otherwise dealing with warranty. This is intended for diagnostic purposes only. If there are any questions on how to proceed OR The work sheet has been performed and the vehicle has returned with the same concern. Please perform the measurements as seen in the worksheet again and open a TIPS case to the Body, Chassis, and Entertainment team.
ENGINE
Complaint Red coolant warning in instrument cluster. Fault codes U019F00 or U019F87 current/stored in MRG1 control unit. Cause Various causes Remedy Perform guided test for fault code U019F with XENTRY diagnosis. Verify the following connections are clean and tight. Correct any problems and retest pump actuation: ‑12V plug at M75/11 ‑48V plug at M75/11 ‑48V connector X192/4 ‑Connections at 48V fuse box F153/2 ‑Sockets 1,2, and 5 at connector 2 of MRG1 control unit ‑M75/11 circuit 41 ground If actuation and above connections are OK, but resistance between M75/11 and engine block is less than 2 ohms or heat shield touching coolant pump, proceed with below steps. 1‑Modify engine insulation per attached instructions. 2‑Remove engine control module and measure continuity within control unit between connector 2 pin 1 and connector 6 pin 2. 2a‑If open circuit is found, replace engine control unit (MRG1) and perform initial startup. Refer to XENTRY parts information group 54/054 item 300. 3‑Clear faults and verify M75/11 operating normally.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, once diagnosis is completed, select the damage code depending on the component part that is causing the issue. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10‑P‑067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!
POWER TRAIN
Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause Modified oil quality of the transfer case over time Remedy 1. Check initial quick test for faults in the following control units. N45 or N15/7 ‑ All‑wheel drive (ARS) N127 ‑ 'Drivetrain' (PTCU) control unit Y3/8 ‑ Transmission control for 9‑gear transmission (VGS) N3/10 ‑ Engine electronics for combustion engine If faults are present: Process them as per the guided test in Xentry. If no faults are present: 2. Check the transmission oil level If the oil level is correct: 3. Unplug the connector for the transfer cases control unit and reassess the vehicle on a subsequent test drive If the complaint no longer occurs with the control unit disconnected: 4. Perform an oil change of the transfer case according to WIS specifications ‑ Collect an oil sample of the original fluid 5. Complete all transfer case Tech‑in processes located under VG Control Unit > Adaptations ‑ Resetting the oil service data ‑ Calibration of N15/7 5. Perform road test of vehicle to bring transmission to operating temperature (>60C ) 6. Operate vehicle in full circle with steering at full lock ‑ 5x to the left ‑ 5x to the right Return the vehicle to the client and request they drive the vehicle for at least 200 miles and return if the concern is not resolved. The extended drive will ensure the clutches are properly conditioned with the new oil and should resolve the concern. If this LI has already been applied to the vehicle, please submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain inbox with the following information: ‑ Initial quick test with fault freeze frame data ‑ Initial transmission EEPROM data ‑ VGS and Transfer Case Control Unit Log (N45 or N15/7) ‑ Special Acquisition Data .txt file (Transfer Case Control Unit > Special Procedures > Procedures for support queries to market support > Special Data Acquisition) ‑ Photo of the original oil condition ‑ What color was the fluid drained from the transfer case before the oil change? ‑ Was an oil sample collected, and can you provide a photo of the original fluid? ‑ What color and part number fluid was used during the oil change? ‑ How far was the vehicle driven after?
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.