2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 12-Volt Battery Recall (22V733)

Recall 22V733 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 in recall 22V733?

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.

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 AMG E53 with recall 22V733?

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

NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the 12v and 24v and 48v battery.

Which vehicles are included in recall 22V733?

Recall 22V733 covers 19,968 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53; 2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53; 2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450; 2021-2022 Mercedes-Benz E 450.

NHTSA lists 19,968 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 12-volt battery recall?

Yes. Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge.

Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.

When was recall 22V733 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 22V733 to NHTSA on September 30, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 20, 2023.

This recall was filed 48 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 22V733?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V733 is open on your AMG E53, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2022 AMG E53 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should AMG E53 owners do about recall 22V733?

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 22V733000 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. Write down when symptoms involving the 12v and 24v and 48v battery happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
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 31 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the electrical system.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 31 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 of them involve the electrical system. 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.

• 2022 Mercedes-Benz E 450: 11 complaints in total, 4 about the electrical system
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450: 7 complaints in total, 2 about the electrical system
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53: 5 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53: 3 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450: 3 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

I bought this car on 12/12/2021 and two weeks after that, the car had warning message on dashboard "coolant too hot, stop the vehicle" on the highway -nj tunpike. It started slowing down on its own to below 20mph, nearly killed me while i tried to pull it over.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11413260, filed April 21, 2021

48Volt battery failed after three months and just 3,400 miles. I understand this is a recurring problem with Mercedes. Car had to be towed as the vehicle was totally inoperable due to battery malfunction. It took more than three weeks for Mercedes to provide a replacement battery.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11427592, filed August 3, 2021

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.

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 owner, OK, NHTSA complaint 11534064, filed July 24, 2023

Can recall 22V733 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.

Owners often ask whether this 12v and 24v and 48v battery recall means their AMG E53 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)).

Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same 12v and 24v and 48v battery problem is common in lemon law claims.

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 22V733