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2025 E53 Failed to start with multiple error messages
My new E53, with 1050 miles, failed to start this morning. It was driven day before yesterday, in relatively heavy rain and then parked in the garage. I had to go out so took one of the other cars and came back a few hours later; tried again and it started up just fine, but the check engine light was on. Drove around a bit, re-did the gas cap but the check engine light remained. Also, the parking brake was locked tight - took several major clicks/clanks before it disengaged and allowed me to pull out of the garage.
I presume no one else has seen this, but on the off chance someone has, please let me know what you did and how things turned out. Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what the issue could be, happy to hear. I will take it to the dealer in the next couple of days.
My new E53, with 1050 miles, failed to start this morning. It was driven day before yesterday, in relatively heavy rain and then parked in the garage. I had to go out so took one of the other cars and came back a few hours later; tried again and it started up just fine, but the check engine light was on. Drove around a bit, re-did the gas cap but the check engine light remained. Also, the parking brake was locked tight - took several major clicks/clanks before it disengaged and allowed me to pull out of the garage.
I presume no one else has seen this, but on the off chance someone has, please let me know what you did and how things turned out. Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what the issue could be, happy to hear. I will take it to the dealer in the next couple of days.
Minus the rain (or any weather in an underground garage in California), I went to start my E53 about 3 weeks ago and all the warning lights came on and told me I needed service. There was no way to put the transmission into drive in any mode: EL, C, S, S+. In fact, EL was dimmed out on the AMG mode dial on the steering wheel. Present, but dimmed. Vehicle was at 45% battery level.
Instrument panel:
On the main center screen this message was repeated.
I tried turning it OFF (Stop) and ON (Start) many times with no change in status. Then I went to work in my other car (C300) and then went into my dealership with these images and a video. They said a few W214 owners had the same or similar symptoms and that after waiting 15-20 minutes the car cleared itself up. They offered to get roadside assistance to come diagnose it and I went home to try see what would happen. Arriving home, I jumped in and it was totally fine. Like nothing had happened. No warnings in the Service menu or anything.
Hasn't happened since, but doesn't leave you with much confidence.
Minus the rain (or any weather in an underground garage in California), I went to start my E53 about 3 weeks ago and all the warning lights came on and told me I needed service. There was no way to put the transmission into drive in any mode: EL, C, S, S+. In fact, EL was dimmed out on the AMG mode dial on the steering wheel. Present, but dimmed. Vehicle was at 45% battery level.
I tried turning it OFF (Stop) and ON (Start) many times with no change in status. Then I went to work in my other car (C300) and then went into my dealership with these images and a video. They said a few W214 owners had the same or similar symptoms and that after waiting 15-20 minutes the car cleared itself up. They offered to get roadside assistance to come diagnose it and I went home to try see what would happen. Arriving home, I jumped in and it was totally fine. Like nothing had happened. No warnings in the Service menu or anything.
Hasn't happened since, but doesn't leave you with much confidence.
Ugh that is super annoying, really hope your service advisor is willing to help you read the code without forcing you in for an appointment.
I said that because usually even if a message cleared it, it still stores the code, although sometimes the code does disappear which makes diagnosing it difficult. Next thing you could do is book the appointment in for a bunch of software update to the hundreds (or thousands, exaggerated) modules, it will take time though so patience is the key, a few hours to few days. I am hoping the new software will fix this.
Very similar experience - I didn't have a chance to document it as well as you've done.
Good to know it's not happened again. I will try to get to the dealership and have them check it out. I'll post here if I learn anything new. Thanks!
The "fixes" in both cases was software updates on multiple (more than 20) software modules. It took me the third service visit to have any software modules updated and a 4th visit to completely resolve all warnings. Don't take "just a computer transient" for an answer or you will be going back.
The "fixes" in both cases was software updates on multiple (more than 20) software modules. It took me the third service visit to have any software modules updated and a 4th visit to completely resolve all warnings. Don't take "just a computer transient" for an answer or you will be going back.
Thanks for confirming that, also from what I read, mainly software issue with these vehicles nothing mechanical thankfully.
Very similar experience - I didn't have a chance to document it as well as you've done.
Good to know it's not happened again. I will try to get to the dealership and have them check it out. I'll post here if I learn anything new. Thanks!
Thanks all! I’m pleased to report that the issues have been resolved. Took two days of SW updates. Dealer mentioned this is now a “known” issue and they’ve seen it on a few cars.
Took a long, scenic, curvy drive today - ran beautifully and effortlessly. My first “AMG” and I’m loving it!
Thanks all! I’m pleased to report that the issues have been resolved. Took two days of SW updates. Dealer mentioned this is now a “known” issue and they’ve seen it on a few cars.
Took a long, scenic, curvy drive today - ran beautifully and effortlessly. My first “AMG” and I’m loving it!
That is awesome to hear, thanks for the update! Enjoy the ride
My new E53, with 1050 miles, failed to start this morning. It was driven day before yesterday, in relatively heavy rain and then parked in the garage. I had to go out so took one of the other cars and came back a few hours later; tried again and it started up just fine, but the check engine light was on. Drove around a bit, re-did the gas cap but the check engine light remained. Also, the parking brake was locked tight - took several major clicks/clanks before it disengaged and allowed me to pull out of the garage.
I presume no one else has seen this, but on the off chance someone has, please let me know what you did and how things turned out. Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what the issue could be, happy to hear. I will take it to the dealer in the next couple of days.
did you ever resolve this our 2025 e53 with less than a thousand miles just did this as well.
did you ever resolve this our 2025 e53 with less than a thousand miles just did this as well.
yes - i did have this resolved.
1. wait 15 mins and restart the car - it should start up
2. take it to the dealer - they will install a software update and flash some hardware component as well
1. wait 15 mins and restart the car - it should start up
2. take it to the dealer - they will install a software update and flash some hardware component as well
been totally fine since then.
thank you so much nervous to go home and try. Honestly ridiculous that they don’t fix this before delivering a $100k+ car
2025 E450 All Terrain Wagon, Nautical Blue Metallic, Macchiato Beige/Black Interior
Originally Posted by Huleyman
Minus the rain (or any weather in an underground garage in California), I went to start my E53 about 3 weeks ago and all the warning lights came on and told me I needed service. There was no way to put the transmission into drive in any mode: EL, C, S, S+. In fact, EL was dimmed out on the AMG mode dial on the steering wheel. Present, but dimmed. Vehicle was at 45% battery level.
Instrument panel:
On the main center screen this message was repeated.
I tried turning it OFF (Stop) and ON (Start) many times with no change in status. Then I went to work in my other car (C300) and then went into my dealership with these images and a video. They said a few W214 owners had the same or similar symptoms and that after waiting 15-20 minutes the car cleared itself up. They offered to get roadside assistance to come diagnose it and I went home to try see what would happen. Arriving home, I jumped in and it was totally fine. Like nothing had happened. No warnings in the Service menu or anything.
Hasn't happened since, but doesn't leave you with much confidence.
I had all of those messages you had in my E450 AT. Dealer took it in and did 15 software updates (no exaggeration) and the issue has not returned.
Happened to me yesterday 4/3/26. 2900 miles on it. Bought February 2025. No rain, no weather issues. I called My dealer they told me to turn everything off, arm the car walk 20 feet away and wait. Then when I came back it started up, but with the engine diagnostic light was on. Took it to the dealer. when they got the car they saw the light. Then they turned it off and they light was gone. But the tech saw multiple code errors. So they did a software update, and codes went away. But this is the 3rd issue with software for me. The first happened when I turned on the engine, then had to get something from the trunk. Fob was in my pocket. The doors locked and wouldnt let me back in. Fob didnt work. Called dealer, finally got a guy who told me to use my credit card to get the handle to open up. That worked. Took car in and they did software fixes. 2nd time Sirix XM didnt work. Said I didnt have an account. And then the entire dash HOD was frozen. Car was drivable, but no maps, no mercedes nothing. They said that the sirix XM update screwed up the system. So another full software rebuild. Yesterday was the 3rd, but this was the worst because I was ready to have a tow truck take it. This is ridiculous. Why are we the beta testers...
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