Mercedes Recalls Previously Recalled AMG Vehicles for Increased Risk of Thermal Overload

As far as vehicle production is concerned, April 2022 saw the German automaker increase cable length and optimize transmission wiring harness routing. However, that was not enough. Back in April 2023, the company became aware of a field report describing a corroded electrical connector in a vehicle that had the aforementioned remedy completed. Initially, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer concluded that said corrosion was nothing more than an isolated, anomalous event.

Two additional reports were received through September 2023, with both alleging thermal overload at said electrical connector. Once again, the vehicles had the remedy performed by authorized service technicians. It should come as no surprise that MBAG was prompted to review available repair documentation and warranty data, a review that concluded with additional warranty cases alleging corrosion of the wiring harness connector on the 213- and 238-series E, 257-series CLS, and 290-series AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.

Prior to filing the recall documentation for the second recall, no fewer than 13 warranty claims were filed with Merc. During the spring of 2024, the company developed a single continuous wiring harness that eliminates the need for an electrical connector.

Lo and behold, Merc determined that all previously recalled vehicles will receive said continuous wiring harness to prevent any corrosion, short circuits, and thermal overloading. On this occasion, the company is recalling 16,967 vehicles compared to the original population of 16,475 vehicles.

Owner notification letters will be mailed no later than August 13, 2024 via first-class mail. Affected nameplates include the 2019 to 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4-Door Coupe, the 2021 to 2023 model year GT 43 4-Door Coupe, the 2019 to 2023 E 53 sedan, coupe, and convertible, as well as the 2019 to 2021 model year CLS 53. The vehicles in question are equipped with either the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G or the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G in combination with the fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system.

As implied, TCT comes from torque converter. MCT, on the other hand, stands for a multi-plate wet clutch that replaces the torque converter for reduced weight, inertia, and improved response. Both TCT and MCT feature double declutching.

Of the aforementioned nameplates, the CLS has been discontinued in August 2023 with no successor planned. Truth be told, having two sporty sedans based on the E-Klasse resulted in overlap. Speaking of which, the E-Class entered its new model series for the 2024 model year. Sedans are now codenamed W214, whereas the wagon and all-terrain wagon are referred to as S214 and X214.

The sixth-gen E is based on the MRA II architecture of the 223-series S and 206-series C. In stark contrast to the lesser sibling, the E-Class can be had with six-cylinder engines as well. It's not clear if the redesigned E 63 will get a V8. If not, that would be a big mistake on AMG's part because the M5 and RS 6 will be redesigned with electrified V8 powertrains for their next generations.