2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 Problems & Complaints

Few complaints40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the AMG CLS53 at the same age

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (1 complaint, typically around 7,000 miles). 10 recalls cover this model year.

1complaints
10recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 problems

  • Electrical system~7,000 miles
    1100%

Share of the 1 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 complaints by model year

201920202021611
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best AMG CLS53 years: 2021. Compare all years →

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 recalls (10)

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 24V-445 · Jun 14, 2024 · 22,422 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLS 53 4MATIC, 2019-2023 E 53 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 53 4MATIC Coupe, E 53 4MATIC Sedan, 2021-2024 GT 43 4MATIC, and 2019-2025 GT 53 4MATIC vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 24V-100 · Feb 9, 2024 · 12,191 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery

NHTSA recall 22V-733 · Sep 30, 2022 · 19,968 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. 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,…

Remedy: Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 22V-533 · Jul 22, 2022 · 16,977 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AMG GT43, 2019-2022 AMG E53, E53 Coupe, E53 Cabriolet, AMG GT53, and 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The transmission wiring harness may be misrouted, which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.

Remedy: 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.

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 22V-365 · May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Remedy: 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.

Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar

NHTSA recall 22V-189 · Mar 25, 2022 · 8,396 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel.

Remedy: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Show 4 more recalls

Air bags › Sensor › Side impact

NHTSA recall 21V-527 · Jul 12, 2021 · 542 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor

NHTSA recall 21V-483 · Jun 25, 2021 · 4,917 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 G550, AMG G63, E350, E450, AMG CLS53, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, AMG GT63, 2021-2022 CLS450, and AMG E63 vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-354 · May 14, 2021 · 343,191 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Remedy: 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.

Seats

NHTSA recall 21V-230 · Apr 1, 2021 · 8,634 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl hybrid9-speed automatic4WD21 / 26 / 23

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 a good car?

Based on 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA, the 2021 AMG CLS53 rates few complaints: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the AMG CLS53 at the same age. It is one of the best AMG CLS53 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53?

The electrical system — 1 complaint, 100% of all complaints for this model year, most often about adas › autonomous/self driving.

How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 have?

There are 10 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53, the most recent from June 14, 2024 (wiring). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021. See the full Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 7,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.