2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53 has 3 complaints and 228 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report engine electrical harness corrosion caused by oil leaking from the camshaft sensor. This corrosion occurs around 50,000 miles and leads to power loss or engine misfiring without prior warnings. Repairs often exceed $4,000 and warranty claims have been denied due to alleged water damage despite the absence of accidents.
- Electrical harness corrosion. Oil leaks from the camshaft sensor saturate the engine electrical harness causing corrosion and leading to power loss or misfiring.
- Power loss while driving. Engine may lose complete or partial power due to misfiring and low system voltage related to wiring damage.
- Lack of manufacturer warnings. Problems appear only after routine maintenance outside the warranty period with no advance alerts to owners.
- Warranty claim denial. Warranty providers have denied coverage, attributing corrosion to water damage despite pristine and accident-free vehicles.
- Recurring issue in Mercedes models. Similar corrosion problems occurred in previous generations, which had recalls offering wiring extensions—no recall was issued for this generation despite similar failure modes.
There are 228 recalls associated with this vehicle affecting various systems including electrical wiring, safety features, communication, and seats. These recalls address risks such as electrical short circuits, failures in emergency communication systems, seat safety adjustments, and rearview camera malfunctions.
- Transmission wiring harness (Recall 24V445000). Affects 22,422 vehicles due to potential miswiring exposing connectors to corrosion and short-circuit risk, increasing fire hazard. Dealers will replace wiring harness and connectors free of charge.
- Rearview camera software (Recall 22V232000). 126,443 vehicles may have non-functional rearview displays due to software errors, increasing crash risk. Dealers will update software at no cost.
- 12-Volt battery security (Recall 22V733000). 19,968 vehicles may have unsecured batteries causing safety feature failures like emergency call and hazard lights during a crash. Dealers will properly secure batteries free of charge.
- Communication module software (Recall 22V365000). 242,722 vehicles susceptible to disabled emergency call functions due to SIM card software errors, potentially delaying emergency response. Software updates provided free of charge.
- Transmission wiring harness misrouting (Recall 22V533000). 16,977 vehicles face corrosion and short-circuit risk from misrouted wiring harnesses; dealers will inspect, repair, and reroute harnesses for free.
- Front passenger seat limiter (Recall 21V216000 and 20V673000). Affects a combined total of approximately 1,446 vehicles where the seat may be positioned too close to the air bag increasing injury risk in crashes. Dealers will recalibrate or install seat limiters free of charge.
- Emergency Call system deactivation (Recall 21V072000). 67 vehicles had communication modules possibly deactivated during service disabling emergency calls; dealers will inspect and reactivate modules free of charge.
- Communication module location failure (Recall 21V058000). Over 1.2 million vehicles may send incorrect location during emergencies delaying responders; dealers will update software or perform OTA updates without charge.
- Emergency Call system circuit damage (Recall 20V068000). 239 vehicles have electrical circuit damage potentially causing inaccurate vehicle location reporting; dealers will replace communication modules free of charge.
Owners facing repeated repairs related to electrical harness corrosion, safety system malfunctions, or unresolved recalls may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with a consumer protection attorney can help clarify available remedies.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53 Summary
2020
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
10
Total Recalls
1722542
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
22422 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLS 53 4MATIC, 2019-2023 E 53 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 53 4MATIC Coupe, E 53 4MATIC Sedan, 2021-2024 GT 43 4MATIC, and 2019-2025 GT 53 4MATIC vehicles. The transmission wiring harness connection might not have been correctly wired during a prior recall repair, and during production. which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
126443 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
19968 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. The 12-Volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (eCall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.
Risk: The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
16977 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AMG GT43, 2019-2022 AMG E53, E53 Coupe, E53 Cabriolet, AMG GT53, and 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The transmission wiring harness may be misrouted, which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
242722 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
67 vehicles affected
COMMUNICATION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
109 vehicles affected
SEATS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350, E450, E450 Wagon, E63S AMG, 2020 E63S AMG Wagon, and 2020-2021 E53 AMG vehicles. The passenger seat limiter may allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.
Risk: A seat too close to the air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the frontal passenger air bag.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
1292258 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
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.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
1337 vehicles affected
SEATS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350 and E450, 2019-2021 AMG E53 and 2020-2021 AMG E63 vehicles. The front passenger seat may be missing the mechanical seat adjustment range limit stop, allowing the seat to move outside of the acceptable range in relation to the air bag.
Risk: If the front passenger seat is adjusted beyond the acceptable range in relation to the air bag, there could be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash with air bag deployment.
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
239 vehicles affected
COMMUNICATION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 C300 Cabrio, C300 Cabrio 4MATIC, C300 Coupe, C43 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, C43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, C63S AMG Cabrio, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E350, E350 4MATIC, E450 Cabrio, E450 Cabrio 4MATIC, E450 Coupe, E450 Coupe 4MATIC, E450 4MATIC, E53 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC300, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, AMG GT63 4-Door 4MATIC, and AMG GT63S 4-Door 4MATIC vehicles. An electrical circuit inside the Emergency Call System (eCall) communication module may be damaged, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location.
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Complaints
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
ID: 2107404POWER TRAIN
The Engine Electrical harness is completely corroded after only 50,000 miles requiring a 4k+ repair. Oil leaking from the camshaft sensor pushed it way all throughout harness. There are no warnings as it will only be noticeable after doing routine maintenance OUTSIDE of the manufactures warranty. While driving you may lose complete power or slight power loss due to engine misfiring and low system voltage. Warranty company has denied my claim saying that it looks as if the car was in an accident with water damage but the car is pristine and accident free. This is happening to all Mercedes with magnetic camshaft solenoids after doing routine spark plugs. Any movement of the wires will cause damage to the corrosion and then electrical problems. This happened before with previous generations and they recalled the engine to put extensions between the sensors and harness. Unfortunately they did not do a recall for this generation even though the same problem is apparent!
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
ID: 2107403ENGINE
The Engine Electrical harness is completely corroded after only 50,000 miles requiring a 4k+ repair. Oil leaking from the camshaft sensor pushed it way all throughout harness. There are no warnings as it will only be noticeable after doing routine maintenance OUTSIDE of the manufactures warranty. While driving you may lose complete power or slight power loss due to engine misfiring and low system voltage. Warranty company has denied my claim saying that it looks as if the car was in an accident with water damage but the car is pristine and accident free. This is happening to all Mercedes with magnetic camshaft solenoids after doing routine spark plugs. Any movement of the wires will cause damage to the corrosion and then electrical problems. This happened before with previous generations and they recalled the engine to put extensions between the sensors and harness. Unfortunately they did not do a recall for this generation even though the same problem is apparent!
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E53
ID: 2107402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Engine Electrical harness is completely corroded after only 50,000 miles requiring a 4k+ repair. Oil leaking from the camshaft sensor pushed it way all throughout harness. There are no warnings as it will only be noticeable after doing routine maintenance OUTSIDE of the manufactures warranty. While driving you may lose complete power or slight power loss due to engine misfiring and low system voltage. Warranty company has denied my claim saying that it looks as if the car was in an accident with water damage but the car is pristine and accident free. This is happening to all Mercedes with magnetic camshaft solenoids after doing routine spark plugs. Any movement of the wires will cause damage to the corrosion and then electrical problems. This happened before with previous generations and they recalled the engine to put extensions between the sensors and harness. Unfortunately they did not do a recall for this generation even though the same problem is apparent!