Recall 21V216 covers 109 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles for a passenger-seat limiter defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 109 2020-2021 vehicles, including the AMG E63S, E63 AMG, E 350, AMG E53, and E 450, because the passenger seat limiter can let the seat sit too close to the front passenger air bag. That position increases injury risk in a crash with frontal air bag deployment, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front passenger power seat in these 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz vehicles uses an automatic adjustment system to move the seat to stored positions. A limiter is supposed to keep that movement within a calibrated range, so the passenger is not placed too close to the air bag during normal seat adjustment.
On the recalled vehicles, the automatic passenger seat adjustment was not calibrated to specification during a production period. That means the limiter does not reliably stop the seat at the intended position. The seat can move too far forward, placing the passenger closer to the air bag than Mercedes-Benz designed for that seating position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner will not get a light, message, or change in seat operation that confirms the calibration problem before the seat reaches an incorrect position.
Who's affected?
Spans 5 E-Class variants across 2 model years, with the seat assembly identified in both broad seat and front power-adjust seat categories.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350 | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | seat assembly |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 109 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
If the passenger seat limiter is not calibrated correctly, the seat can sit too close to the frontal passenger air bag. That increases injury risk in a crash when the air bag deploys. There is no advance warning before this problem. Schedule the recall repair soon and use normal care until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, E63 AMG, E 350, AMG E53, or E 450 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free passenger seat limiter recalibration, which fixes the seat-position limit near the frontal passenger air bag.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V216 when you call.
- Keep the front passenger seat adjusted as far back as practical until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician recalibrates the passenger seat limiter so the front passenger seat cannot be positioned too close to the air bag. Parts and labor are covered under the recall at no charge. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 26, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 29, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 29, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 29, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V216?
Recall 21V216 covers 109 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles from 2020-2021 with a passenger seat limiter that lets the seat sit too close to the frontal passenger air bag. That position increases injury risk in a crash. Mercedes-Benz dealers recalibrate the limiter for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, E63 AMG, E 350, AMG E53, or E 450 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V216. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the passenger seat limiter recalibration. Reference recall number 21V216 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021040002 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers recalibrate the passenger seat limiter free of charge for vehicles included in recall 21V216.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V216?
The risk is higher injury exposure for the front passenger during a crash. If the passenger seat sits too close to the frontal passenger air bag, the air bag deployment area is too close to the occupant. Mercedes-Benz addresses the issue by recalibrating the passenger seat limiter.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V216000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V216 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V216000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →