The 2017 AMG GT is a hand-built performance machine with Mercedes' M178 twin-turbo V8. While thrilling to drive, early examples suffer from catastrophic engine failures due to piston ring issues, plus driveshaft coupling problems and transmission mount failures that plague high-performance driving.
M178 Engine Catastrophic Failure - Piston Ring / Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden loss of oil pressure warning, Knocking or ticking noise from lower engine, White or blue smoke from exhaust on cold start, Check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Piston rings fail prematurely allowing oil consumption and bearing contamination. Mercedes issued internal TSB but no official recall. 60-80 labor hours for engine removal, disassembly, machining, and reassembly with upgraded parts. Some cases covered under goodwill by MBUSA if caught early.
Estimated cost: $25,000-45,000
Driveshaft Flex Disc / Guibo Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise during acceleration or deceleration, Vibration through drivetrain at highway speeds, Clicking sound when shifting from Park to Drive, Complete loss of power to rear wheels if disc separates
Fix: Replace both forward and rear driveshaft flex discs (rubber couplings). These fail prematurely under hard launches and track use. Two NHTSA recalls issued (17V-587 and 18V-666). 4-6 labor hours on lift. Critical safety item - can leave you stranded or cause loss of control.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Dual-Clutch Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive drivetrain movement during hard acceleration, Clunking from transmission tunnel on throttle lift, Difficulty engaging gears smoothly, Visible transmission sag when inspecting from below
Fix: Replace transmission mount assembly. The OE hydraulic mount fails under stress from 503 lb-ft torque and aggressive shifting. Aftermarket polyurethane mounts available but increase NVH. 3-4 labor hours with transmission supported.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Harsh shifting or slipping when hot, Low transmission fluid warnings on dash
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler lines and fittings. O-rings deteriorate from heat cycles. Requires partial undertray removal and fluid refill with expensive DCT fluid. 2-3 labor hours plus 6 quarts of MB-approved DCT fluid.
Symptoms: Hesitation or stumbling under full throttle, Reduced power above 5,000 RPM, Fuel pump whining noise from rear, Check engine light with fuel pressure codes
Fix: Replace in-tank fuel filter assembly. Mercedes specs 87 octane minimum but these engines are sensitive to fuel quality. Requires fuel tank drop or access through rear seat. 4-5 labor hours. Use only OE or high-flow performance filters.
Symptoms: Passenger airbag warning light illuminated constantly, Airbag system fault message on startup, Passenger airbag shows 'OFF' with adult occupant
Fix: Replace passenger seat occupant sensor mat. Covered under recall 19V-027. Sensor matrix fails causing airbag system disable. 1.5-2 labor hours for seat removal and sensor replacement. Should be free at dealer if recall not completed.
Estimated cost: $0-800
Owner tips
Check service records for engine oil consumption logs - any car using more than 1 quart per 1,000 miles likely has ring issues brewing
Inspect driveshaft flex discs every 15,000 miles - replace proactively at 30k if you track the car
Use only Mercedes-approved 229.5 spec oil and change every 5,000 miles despite 10k interval - these engines run hot
Pre-purchase inspection MUST include oil analysis and borescope cylinder inspection - walk away from any car with scoring
Budget $3,000-5,000 annually for maintenance beyond normal service - this is a hand-built exotic, not an E-Class
Buy only if you can afford a $30k+ engine replacement or find a 2019+ model year with factory engine updates - otherwise this is a financial time bomb wrapped in gorgeous aluminum bodywork.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2018 AMG GT vehicles. The bonding between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the flange may be insufficient, which could result in driveshaft separation.
Consequence: A separated driveshaft may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the carbon-fiber driveshaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021090008.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 21V058000
2021-02-05
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
COMMUNICATION · 19V787000
2019-11-01
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 19V457000
2019-06-14
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 AMG GTS and 2017 AMG GT vehicles. The bonding between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the engine/transmission flange may be insufficient, causing the driveshaft to separate while in motion.
Consequence: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the carbon-fiber draft shaft, including the flange, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019090018.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 17V818000
2017-12-18
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 AMG GT & AMG GT-C Roadster and 2018 AMG GT-S & GT Roadster vehicles equipped with AMG Performance Seats. The passenger occupant classification system (OCS) might not function properly, possibly causing the passenger frontal air bag to be incorrectly deactivated or incorrectly activated in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A passenger air bag that is incorrectly activated or deactivated in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury due to potential incorrect airbag deployment or non-deployment.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, and if necessary, replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. Owners will be notified of the recall in January 2018 and they will receive a second letter when the parts become available, currently expected to be in February 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
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