A Small Pin Could Cause A $3M Mercedes Hypercar To Catch Fire | Carscoops

      A small error in one of the world’s priciest hypercars poses a fire hazard and has prompted a swift global recall.

      Germany's transportation authority has announced a recall for 219 AMG Ones due to missing pinlocks.

      The affected vehicles may leak hydraulic fluid near hot engine parts, which raises the risk of fire.

      This recall occurs just three weeks after one AMG One was lost to a fire incident.

      Even with a price tag approaching $3 million, unexpected issues can still arise. Featuring a Formula 1-derived turbocharged hybrid powertrain, the Mercedes-AMG One is recognized as one of the most intricate and swiftest hypercars produced.

      However, after years of development and the collaboration of some of the finest minds in automotive engineering, the vehicle is now facing a recall for a surprisingly basic issue that could result in a very expensive and dangerous scenario. The culprit? A missing pinlock on a hydraulic line.

      The recall was first reported by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Germany earlier this week, highlighting that a pinlock is absent on a hydraulic line associated with the active rear spoiler. Given the challenges AMG encountered in making the 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain suitable for the road, one might have assumed it would be the most likely part to cause a fire-related issue. Instead, it’s the giant wing.

      The absence of the pinlock allows hydraulic fluid to potentially leak onto hot engine components, which could ignite a fire. In total, 219 units of the F1-powered hypercar are being recalled, all of which were produced between December 12, 2022, and May 9, 2025.

      Mercedes-AMG plans to produce only 275 units of the One, and of the 219 recalled, 183 are located in Germany. The manufacturer is reportedly aware of one known incident related to this issue that caused property damage or injury.

      In terms of positive news, the solution is relatively straightforward. Mercedes-AMG will inspect the affected vehicles to check for the correct pinlock installation. If it is missing, a technician will install it without requiring a complex disassembly.

      The One experienced a notoriously prolonged development phase. It was initially presented as a concept in 2017 under the name Project One, but its launch was delayed several times due to difficulties in adapting the Formula 1 engine for road use. Mercedes-AMG also disappointed potential buyers in the U.S. by confirming the One would not meet local regulatory standards.

      Earlier this month, a black unit was destroyed in a fire in Germany. The official cause of the fire has not been disclosed, but it is not believed to be related to the hydraulic line issue.