2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53: 10 recalls, 1 owner complaint and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V230000 · 2021 · 8,634 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch May prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.
Why it matters: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021.
Backup camera, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V354000 · 2021 · 343,191 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The mbux multimedia system software May cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V483000 · 2021 · 4,917 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors May deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owners notified of the voluntary recall campaign by an interim letter on August 13, 2021. A final letter was mailed on September 24, 2021.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V527000 · 2021 · 542 vehicles
What's wrong: The side crash sensor connectors May come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.
Why it matters: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021.
Steering Vehicle recall #22V189000 · 2022 · 8,396 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the active distance assist distronic system.
Why it matters: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent distronic system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the active emergency stop assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the distronic system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #22V365000 · 2022 · 242,722 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: The communication module software will be updated through an over-the-air (ota) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024.
Electrical Vehicle recall #22V533000 · 2022 · 16,977 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission wiring harness May be misrouted, which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Why it matters: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the electrical connector, as necessary. Dealers will also reroute the harness and install an additional bracket. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2022.
Electrical Vehicle recall #22V733000 · 2022 · 19,968 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will secure the 12v battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023.
Electrical Vehicle recall #24V100000 · 2024 · 12,191 vehicles
What's wrong: The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment May not be tightened properly and May result in the ground cable overheating.
Why it matters: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024.
Electrical Vehicle recall #24V445000 · 2024 · 22,422 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the two-part wiring harness and connector, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 9, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53 has 1 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 3 Amg CLS53 model years for complaints (well below the 3 average). Neighboring years: 2020 (1 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl hybrid | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53 problems?
Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (1).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Amg CLS53 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.