Recall 21V217 affects 493 2018-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, AMG GT63 and AMG GT63S for starter-cable wiring chafe. Repair is free at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 493 2018-2021 AMG E63S, AMG GT63, and AMG GT63S vehicles under recall 21V217 because the starter motor positive cable can be installed incorrectly and let power supply harness wires chafe. Damaged wires can short circuit, stall the vehicle, or raise the risk of fire; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The starter wiring harness on the 2018-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, AMG GT63, and AMG GT63S carries battery power to the starter motor. The starter motor uses that power to turn the engine when you press the start button, so the cable has to sit in the correct position and stay protected from nearby parts.
On affected vehicles, the positive cable at the starter motor was not installed to the current production specification. When the cable is out of position, nearby power supply harness wires rub against surrounding parts. That rubbing wears through insulation and exposes wiring that is supposed to stay covered.
Mercedes-Benz traced the issue to a production deviation involving the starter connection. There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not expected to see a warning light or hear a specific noise before the wiring problem shows up.
Who's affected?
Covers AMG E63S, AMG GT63, and AMG GT63S across 2018-2021, with the starter wiring harness listed under both wiring and starter assembly components.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | electrical system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | wiring |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | electrical system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | wiring |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | electrical system |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S | wiring |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S | electrical system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S | wiring |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S | electrical system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S | wiring |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63S | electrical system |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | wiring |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | electrical system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | wiring |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S | electrical system |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | wiring |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | electrical system |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | wiring |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 | electrical system |
| Units affected | 493 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
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?
Damaged wires can short circuit, stall the vehicle, and increase crash risk. The same short circuit also increases fire risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the recall repair soon and avoid unnecessary driving until it is fixed. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, AMG GT63, or AMG GT63S is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free inspection and repair for the starter motor positive cable and screw connections.
- Ask the dealer to correct the positive cable position so the power-supply harness wires do not chafe and short circuit.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V217 when you call.
- Avoid driving after a stall or signs of an electrical short; contact the dealer before moving the vehicle again.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the starter motor positive cable, checks the screw connections, and corrects the cable position so the power supply harness wires do not chafe. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Mercedes-Benz did not set up a separate reimbursement program because the involved vehicles were covered by the new vehicle warranty and had not been subject to this condition before. 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 |
| May 18, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 25, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V217?
Recall 21V217 covers 493 certain 2018-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, AMG GT63, and AMG GT63S vehicles. The starter motor positive cable was installed incorrectly, allowing wiring to chafe. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the cable connections and position, then correct them for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63S, AMG GT63, or AMG GT63S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V217. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the inspection and repair. Reference recall number 21V217 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021040013 when you call.
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 correct the positive cable screw connections and cable position free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V217?
The safety risk is a short circuit from damaged power supply harness wiring. A short circuit can stall the vehicle and increase crash risk. It can also increase fire risk. The dealer repair is free and addresses the starter motor positive cable installation.
When were owners notified about recall 21V217?
Mercedes-Benz mailed owner letters on May 18, 2021. If you never received a letter, check your VIN and contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer. You can also call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and reference recall 21V217.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V217000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V217 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V217000 |
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 →