2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Seat Power Seat Recall (21V216)

Recall 21V216 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 in recall 21V216?

The passenger seat limiter may allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 AMG E53 with recall 21V216?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your AMG E53 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the power adjust, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V216?

Recall 21V216 covers 109 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S; 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350; 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450.

NHTSA lists 109 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the AMG E53 seat power seat recall?

Yes. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter, free of charge.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter, free of charge. The recall began April 29, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040002.

When was recall 21V216 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V216 to NHTSA on March 26, 2021.

This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your AMG E53 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my AMG E53 is part of recall 21V216?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V216 is open on your AMG E53, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V216000 is open on your AMG E53, it will be listed there, along with Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021040002. You can also ask any Mercedes-Benz dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.

What should AMG E53 owners do about recall 21V216?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V216000 applies to your AMG E53.
2. Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any power adjust symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are AMG E53 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the body, doors and seats.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 21V216 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 25 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350: 13 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450: 7 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

Can recall 21V216 make my AMG E53 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Body and latch defects on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 may seem minor until a door opens while driving or a seat will not lock. Problems that return after repair belong in your records.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the AMG E53 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V216