2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 Head Restraint Recall (21V406)

Recall 21V406 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 in recall 21V406?

The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG S Cabriolet, E450 Cabriolet, and E53 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 AMG C43 with recall 21V406?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your AMG C43 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the head restraint, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V406?

Recall 21V406 covers 218 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S; 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53; 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300; 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450.

NHTSA lists 218 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 C43 head restraint recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060010.

When was recall 21V406 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V406 to NHTSA on May 28, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as July 16, 2021.

This recall was filed 65 months ago. If your AMG C43 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my AMG C43 is part of recall 21V406?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V406 is open on your AMG C43, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V406000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should AMG C43 owners do about recall 21V406?

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 21V406000 applies to your AMG C43.
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 head restraint 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 C43 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 28 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 21V406 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 28 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 C 300: 14 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 C43: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

Can recall 21V406 make my AMG C43 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.

Owners often ask whether this head restraint recall means their AMG C43 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Body and latch defects on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 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.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

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 21V406