Mercedes-Benz 2021 AMG CLS53 Steering Recall: Deactivated Hands-Off Detection Risk
Mercedes-Benz recalls 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles with a software error in hand detection that may prevent emergency warnings and first responder calls during crashes.
Use caution until it’s fixed
Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Contact the company
What happened, in plain English
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles due to a software error that might prevent the hands-off detection system from working properly. This could mean the car won't warn drivers to grab the steering wheel or call emergency services during a crash, increasing injury risk. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/80591-mercedes-benz-2021-amg-cls53-steering-recall-deactivated-hands-off.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/80591-mercedes-benz-2021-amg-cls53-steering-recall-deactivated-hands-off · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #22V189000
Cite this page
“Mercedes-Benz 2021 AMG CLS53 Steering Recall: Deactivated Hands-Off Detection Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80591-mercedes-benz-2021-amg-cls53-steering-recall-deactivated-hands-off. Based on NHTSA recall #22V189000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V189000).
Why it’s dangerous
The software error in the hand detection control unit might cause the car to not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel while using the DISTRONIC system. This could prevent the vehicle from triggering emergency warnings or calling first responders, potentially increasing crash or injury risk.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 vehicles with heated leather steering wheels are affected. Drivers using the DISTRONIC system without proper hand detection may be at higher risk during emergencies.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2021 AMG CLS53 has a heated leather steering wheel. The recall covers vehicles with a software error in the hand detection control unit that affects the DISTRONIC system.
- Brand
Mercedes-Benz- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Update Software at Dealer
Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for free to fix the software error.
Contact Customer Service
Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz USA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 for assistance.
What NHTSA says to do
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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 42 days after NHTSA received the defect report.
- NHTSA received the defect report
- Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Contact Mercedes-Benz
We’ve drafted a message you can send Mercedes-Benz to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 22V189000 — Mercedes-Benz 2021 AMG CLS53 Steering Recall: Deactivated Hands-Off Detection Risk Hello, I own a Mercedes-Benz 2021 AMG CLS53 Steering Recall: Deactivated Hands-Off Detection Risk that is covered by recall 22V189000 from Mercedes-Benz. The official recall notice states: 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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #22V189000 (March 25, 2022)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 4, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.