2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
88/100
#2 most-complained of 9 AMG C43 years
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 has a complaint index of 88, ranking 2nd worst out of 9 model years, with 12 complaints and 9 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 33% of complaints, led by reports of the car dropping into neutral unexpectedly.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (33%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (17%)
- Other2 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (17%)
- Electrical System1 (8%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission randomly drops into neutral while driving, including at stoplights and highway speeds, requiring a restart or shift to Park and back to Drive to regain power.
- Some drivers describe the engine free-revving with no forward movement after releasing the brake at a green light.
- Owners report a cracked front rim causing sudden tire deflation, with the failure recurring on other wheels afterward.
- Uneven tire wear on the inner shoulder was reported between 6,323 miles and low mileage, wearing down to the belts while the outer tread still looked fine.
- One owner reported the glass panel between the windshield and sunroof detaching and flying off while driving, with no warning beforehand.
- An owner reported engine misfires, an oil leak near the injectors, and turbocharger fault codes alongside clogged catalytic converters.
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
- NHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:software
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. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
- NHTSA 22V232000Apr 8, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras126,443 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other AMG C43 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 a good year to buy?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 AMG C43 a complaint index of 88 and a rank of 2nd worst among 9 model years, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 AMG C43?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 33% of complaints (4 of 12), mostly reports of the car unexpectedly shifting into neutral.
- How many recalls does the 2020 AMG C43 have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2020 AMG C43, covering areas including electrical systems, fuel system, collision avoidance cameras, seat belts, and structure/body panels. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 AMG C43 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 88 is worse than 2016 (25), 2019 (50), 2021 (13), 2022 (38), and 2023 (63), but better than 2017 (100), the worst year for this model.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 AMG C43?
- The 2020 AMG C43 gets 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650 according to EPA data.