Recall 16V308 affects 136 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S vehicles for a carbon-fiber driveshaft bond defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 136 2016 AMG GT S vehicles because the adhesive bond between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and rear flange can fail. If the bond fails, torque to the rear wheels can be lost, the car can stop moving or decelerate in traffic, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driveshaft in the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S is the carbon-fiber tube that carries turning force from the transmission toward the rear wheels. It is bonded to a rear flange, which is the metal connection point that lets that force pass into the rest of the driveline.
On affected AMG GT S vehicles, the adhesive bond between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the flange can separate. Mercedes-Benz traced the issue to the supplier bonding process, where anticorrosive residue was left on the parts before bonding. That residue weakens the adhesive connection, so the shaft itself stays intact while the bonded joint comes apart and torque no longer reaches the rear wheels.
There is no warning sign before the bond fails. Once the problem is happening, an owner can notice scratching noises from underneath the vehicle, a transmission malfunction message, warning lights in the instrument cluster, or a sudden loss of drive to the rear wheels.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 136 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific coupe is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the adhesive bond fails, the vehicle can lose torque to the rear wheels. That can leave the vehicle unable to move or cause deceleration while in motion, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Treat any loss of drive power as a reason to pull over safely and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free inspection and carbon-fiber driveshaft replacement that fixes the bond failure and rear-wheel torque loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. Reference recall number 16V308 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair; a failed driveshaft bond can cause loss of rear-wheel torque and deceleration.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the carbon fiber driveshaft and replaces it as needed. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 17, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 29, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V308?
Recall 16V308 covers 136 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S vehicles with a carbon-fiber driveshaft bond that can fail at the rear flange. If that happens, the car can lose torque to the rear wheels. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific AMG GT S is included in recall 16V308. If it is, call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the driveshaft inspection under recall 2016050008. The dealer will replace the carbon-fiber driveshaft as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will inspect and replace the carbon-fiber driveshaft as needed free of charge at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V308?
The safety risk is loss of drive torque to the rear wheels. Per NHTSA campaign 16V308, a failed adhesive bond can leave the driver unable to move the vehicle, or cause deceleration while the vehicle is moving, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016 AMG GT S is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and reference recall 16V308 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2016050008.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V308000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V308 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V308000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →