Recall 21V406 affects 218 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 450, and AMG cabriolets for rear headrests mounted incorrectly. Free repair at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 218 2021 C 300, E 450, AMG E53, AMG C43, AMG C63, and AMG C63 S Cabriolet vehicles because rear headrests have incorrect mounting to the seatbacks. In a crash, those headrests can move or detach from the seat and increase injury risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect and repair the mounting free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear headrest guide is the bushing in the seatback that holds each rear headrest post. It lets the unlocking mechanism release the headrest when needed, and it keeps the headrest latched at the correct height. In the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 450, AMG E53, AMG C43, AMG C63, and AMG C63 S Cabriolet vehicles in this recall, that guide is the part under review.
A supplier production deviation left the rear headrest guide bushing installed outside specification in affected seatbacks. If the guide is not seated correctly, the headrest does not latch to the seatback as designed. That means the rear headrest is not mounted the way Mercedes-Benz intended for the rear seat assembly.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear a noise, see a warning light, or feel a change before the headrest latch problem is found.
Who's affected?
All listed models use the same head restraint guide with unlocking mechanism.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | seat assembly |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 218 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrectly mounted rear headrest can move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before this problem matters, so confirm your VIN and schedule the inspection soon if your vehicle is included. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 450, AMG E53, AMG C43, AMG C63, or AMG C63 S is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free rear-seatback guide-bushing inspection and any needed replacement for incorrectly mounted rear headrests.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V406 and Mercedes-Benz recall 2021060010 when you call.
- Ask the dealer about rear-seat use until the inspection is complete; the recall involves headrests that can move or detach during a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the rear seatback guide bushings and replaces them if needed. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles would not have been previously subject to this condition. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 28, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 7, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| July 16, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 27, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 27, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V406?
Recall 21V406 covers 218 2021 Mercedes-Benz cabriolet vehicles with rear headrests that were incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks. During a crash, the headrests can move or detach, increasing injury risk. Dealers inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, E 450, AMG E53, AMG C43, AMG C63, or AMG C63 S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific cabriolet is included in recall 21V406. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the rear seatback guide bushing inspection. Reference recall number 21V406 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2021060010 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 dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V406?
The safety risk is injury during a crash. The rear headrests are meant to stay secured to the seatbacks. If they are incorrectly mounted, they can move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to rear-seat occupants.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz cabriolet used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2021 Mercedes-Benz cabriolet is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer or MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V406000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V406 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V406000 |
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 →