Mercedes orders recall of million-pound hypercars built only three years ago

Million-pound hypercar recall

You won’t believe this hypercar costs over a million pounds, yet Mercedes has recalled it after just three years on the road. The AMG One was built to be extraordinary, but this news shocked car lovers.

The problem is more serious than it sounds. A missing pin in the rear spoiler’s hydraulics could leak fluid, which might catch fire. It’s a huge recall for a hypercar meant to showcase Mercedes’ best.

Made by Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG created this car to turn Formula 1 dreams into real-world driving. With power straight from the racetrack, the AMG One was designed to push the limits of what a street car could do.

But even with all that cutting-edge tech, reality has caught up. The car’s complicated systems, especially those adapted from racing, have made it vulnerable to issues, including this unexpected fire risk.

The small part missing

This time, the issue isn’t with the car’s hybrid engine, its electric motors, or its high-tech battery system. Instead, it’s all about a tiny missing component in the hydraulic system of the active rear spoiler.

Missing cotter pin locks can let hydraulic fluid leak onto hot surfaces near the engine. That fluid is flammable, and when exposed to heat, it could catch fire, putting both the driver and the car at risk.

How many affected

Out of 275 cars built, 219 are affected by this issue, nearly 80 percent of all AMG Ones produced. Mercedes isn’t wasting time and has already begun contacting every affected owner directly.

The cars involved were produced between December 12, 2022, and May 9, 2025. Mercedes dealers will inspect the spoiler hydraulics and add the missing parts in a service visit that takes less than two hours.

Two caught fire

Two AMG Ones have experienced fires, one while being transported in May 2023 and another recently in Germany.

The German Federal Motor Transport Authority has not officially linked those fires to the pin lock issue, but the potential danger was enough for Mercedes to act quickly and issue a recall.

Mostly based in Germany

One surprising detail: 183 of the 219 affected AMG Ones are in Germany, the car’s home country. That leaves just 36 affected vehicles spread across other countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East.

This recall raises questions about global demand. With a price tag of over £2.5 million (around $3 million), it’s not shocking that most stayed in Europe, but some were expected to go worldwide.

Hybrid F1 powertrain

The AMG One has a complex hybrid powertrain unlike anything else on the road. Its turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engine is based on Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car and revs to an incredible 11,000 rpm.

The car also has four electric motors, including two that power each front wheel. Together, they deliver 1,063 horsepower, yet none of this amazing performance is the cause of the current fire risk recall.

Years of delays

The AMG One’s journey hasn’t been smooth. First revealed in 2017, it was delayed for years due to technical challenges adapting its F1 engine for normal road use while still passing emissions regulations.

Production finally began in late 2022, and deliveries started in 2023. Now, after years of anticipation, owners are facing a recall over a missing pin that could have been easily avoided.

Nürburgring record holder

In 2022, the AMG One made headlines when it broke the Nürburgring record. With a time of just 6 minutes and 29 seconds, it became the fastest production car ever to lap the iconic German circuit.

This wasn’t just a marketing stunt. It proved the AMG One’s track-ready power and speed. But now, performance takes a backseat as Mercedes focuses on fixing the fire risk before it becomes a bigger issue.

Simple 90-minute fix

Fortunately, the fix is fast and simple. Mercedes says the repair will take about 90 minutes at certified service centers. Technicians will inspect the spoiler’s hydraulic system and install any missing cotter pins.

Owners won’t pay anything for the fix, and Mercedes is prioritizing the repairs for all affected cars. The company is determined to protect its customers and prevent any dangerous incidents on the road.

Why it’s serious

Hydraulic fluid may not sound dangerous, but when it leaks and touches hot components, it can ignite almost instantly. That’s why even a missing pin is being taken so seriously in this case.

Even though the fires so far haven’t been directly linked to this defect, Mercedes is treating it as a critical issue that must be corrected immediately before something worse happens.

Brand reputation at stake

This recall is a big deal for Mercedes’ image. The AMG One was meant to be the company’s proudest achievement, combining racing tech with luxury design. Now it’s also their most recalled hypercar ever.

Still, responding quickly and offering a simple solution helps maintain trust. By being transparent and proactive, Mercedes shows it values owner safety, even with high-profile, low-volume cars like the AMG One.

Owners being contacted

If you’re an owner, don’t panic. Mercedes has already started reaching out, and the fix is quick and hassle-free. Just schedule an appointment and let certified technicians take care of the rest.

Most of the affected cars are already in contact with their dealers, and no additional damage has occurred thanks to early detection. This is one of those rare times when acting fast really works.

Not the first time

This isn’t the first time a supercar faced issues like this. Back in 2018, Ford recalled its GT supercar because a hydraulic valve near the rear wing posed a similar fire risk.

Even the most advanced vehicles can have basic problems. It proves how important the smallest components are when building high-speed, high-value cars for real-world driving.

A quality lesson

This story is a reminder that even million-dollar cars can have surprising flaws. It doesn’t take a massive engine failure to spark a recall; sometimes it’s just a missing pin.

But Mercedes’ fast action sets an example. Fixing a flaw before it becomes a disaster shows responsibility, especially when dealing with such an exclusive and expensive model like this one.

Want to see how luxury goes wrong? Take a peek at why the Mercedes CLA EV has a big charging problem.

What happens next

The AMG One is still a remarkable achievement in automotive history. Even with this recall, it remains a technological masterpiece. But no masterpiece is complete without safety and trust.

Now that owners are getting repairs, these amazing machines can go back to being what they were meant to be: fast, rare, and thrilling to drive, without the risk of sudden danger.

Curious how AMG is gearing up to challenge electric speed? Check out how AMG prepares to take on the Taycan.

Think these cars are worth the hype? Please drop a comment and tell us.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.