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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Model years 1994–2012 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2000. Fewest complaints: 1997, 1998, 2012.

271owner complaints
11recall campaigns
116service bulletins
14model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2000. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’94’96’98’00’02’04’0981’94’97’00’03’0981

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2026.

0.0%0.8%1.5%’94’96’98’00’02’04’06’08’10’12’14’16’18’20’22’24’26’270.0%0.0%0.8%1.5%’94’97’00’03’06’09’12’15’18’21’24’26’270.0%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2012 S-Class1171 · 0
2009 S-Class21111 · 0
2005 S-Class2151 · 0
2004 S-Class154191 · 1
2003 S-Class282100 · 0
2002 S-Class48290 · 0
2001 S-Class365130 · 1
2000 S-ClassMost complaints815113 · 4
1999 S-Class9041 · 0
1998 S-Class2060 · 0
1997 S-Class2050 · 0
1996 S-Class6160 · 0
1995 S-Class27050 · 1
199412050 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Electrical system113
  • Suspension57
  • Interior lighting30
  • Air bags19
  • Engine and engine cooling14
  • Power train12
  • Tires10
  • Equipment10

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 147 S-Class vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 61 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
2023110
2022110
2021100
2020410
2019800
2018853
2017100
2016310
20152072
2014540
2013710
2012310
2011311
2010820
2009441
2008520
20071661
2006750
2005510
2004200
2003822
2002821
2001821
2000210
1998221
1997452
1996110
1995110
1994120

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Crash-test ratings by year

NHTSA 5-star results for 14 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20242024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR AWD————0.0 %
20232023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR AWD————0.0 %
20222022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20212021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20202020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20192019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20182018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20172017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20162016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20152015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20142014 Mercedes-Benz S-CLASS 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20132013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD————0.0 %
20122012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR AWD————0.0 %
20112011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR RWD————0.0 %

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain

In New Zealand

812 S-Class cars are on the New Zealand register; 63% arrived as used imports.

Model yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
2027101
2026220
202510100
2024880
2023880
202222210
202122202
202013112
201926223
2018412714
2017432318
2016572432
2015863846
20141063965
201320416
201230030
201114012
201014014
200925124
200828027
200751048
200621021
200512011
200417016
200310010
200113013
200015015
199915012
1998404
199712012

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

8,416 S-Class cars are on Dutch roads; 56% arrived later as imports, and 824 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
202610411%€184,631
202517830%€248,421
202428351%€233,346
202329849%€190,633
202236453%€169,179
202134960%€184,871
202014066%€175,837
201930549%€173,593
201841963%€168,941
201735165%€166,011
201636168%€175,448
201550553%€146,406
201451461%€149,390
201325175%€137,948
201212281%€122,439
201117565%€132,169
201020469%€134,780
200919679%€142,880
200825468%€138,059
200735469%€139,800
200675353%€143,922
200527661%€124,025
200413743%€129,273
200324941%€175,606
200212840%€103,814
200121644%€120,194
200027640%€112,648
199928450%€114,353
19984637%€98,524
19974846%—

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

2,770 S-Class cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 53% petrol, 46% diesel; 16% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registeredIn useAverage mileage
20259—
20243815,000 km
20234927,000 km
202210362,000 km
20214779,000 km
20202296,000 km
201969101,000 km
201862118,000 km
201778151,000 km
201690165,000 km
2015169178,000 km
2014214199,000 km
201399209,000 km
201240227,000 km
201174244,000 km
201094278,000 km
2009113273,000 km
2008148284,000 km
2007233269,000 km
2006300275,000 km
200590266,000 km
200487265,000 km
2003101264,000 km
200273246,000 km
200187270,000 km
200094260,000 km
199992251,000 km
199819310,000 km
19976318,000 km
199614271,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

Road collisions in Great Britain

From 2021 to 2025, 512 S-Class cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 4 of those collisions were fatal and 89 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.

YearCars in injury collisionsFatalSerious
202585018
202474112
2023112020
2022118220
2021123119

Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count

In the United Kingdom

22,797 S-Class cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
202565214
202443913
202355840
202250137
2021527148
202049235
20191,717105
20181,765139
20171,977155
20162,330153
20151,923235
20141,427358
2013837223
20121,076203
2011810179
2010702233
2009645275
2008675396
2007901620
2006683576
2005341337
2004443429
2003411608
2002198566
2001200671
2000130483
199997424
1998114290
199771246
199669267

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

28,528 S-Class cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 83% passed first time, against 71% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.

First registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
202223596%93%26,700 mi
202119497%91%34,300 mi
202070391%88%35,500 mi
20192,62493%86%51,600 mi
20182,51891%84%62,000 mi
20172,54288%82%65,800 mi
20162,79088%79%66,200 mi
20152,26286%75%82,800 mi
20141,71286%72%90,300 mi
20131,04679%68%103,000 mi
20121,27977%66%100,200 mi
201197979%63%106,500 mi
201093880%60%107,900 mi
200995374%59%110,700 mi
20081,07174%57%111,700 mi
20071,45574%57%113,800 mi
20061,18376%56%110,000 mi
200562174%56%123,800 mi
200473173%56%122,900 mi
200379272%57%124,400 mi
200248670%58%112,000 mi
200139271%59%102,100 mi
200037368%61%101,100 mi
199921973%63%105,800 mi
199817575%64%115,000 mi
199713776%64%111,500 mi
199611876%65%108,000 mi

Why they fail

Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).

AreaS-ClassAll cars, same ages
Tyres5.1%6.2%
Suspension4.5%8.9%
Brakes4.3%7.0%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment4.0%11.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks2.6%3.3%
Visibility2.0%4.9%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems0.9%1.2%
Body, chassis, structure0.9%3.7%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

New registrations in Europe

136,729 new Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (4,984), Poland (724), Belgium (433).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20229,358Germany, Poland, Belgium2,204165 (WLTP)290
202110,099Germany, Poland, Czechia2,095192 (WLTP)269
20206,273Germany, United Kingdom, France2,109203 (WLTP)281
201910,343Germany, United Kingdom, France2,098198 (WLTP)290
201813,584Germany, United Kingdom, Poland2,073205 (WLTP)295
201713,569Germany, United Kingdom, Poland2,050171 (NEDC)282
201614,182Germany, United Kingdom, France2,044—271
201515,331Germany, United Kingdom, France2,043—263
201416,355Germany, United Kingdom, France2,016—253
20138,311Germany, United Kingdom, France2,016—238
20124,260United Kingdom, Germany, France2,032—218
20115,368United Kingdom, Germany, France2,038—223
20109,696Germany, United Kingdom, France2,015——

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

Real-world fuel consumption

22,217 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel versions average 8.8 l/100 km on the road, against 7.1 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 24% more. Plug-in hybrids use 7.5 l/100 km against 1.3 l/100 km on paper, with 28% of their distance covered with the engine off.

FuelCarsOn the roadWLTPDifferenceAverage distance so far
Petrol48415.613.9+12%27,000 km
Petrol hybrid6,42011.99.7+22%42,000 km
Diesel9,4468.87.1+24%65,000 km
Diesel hybrid1,4088.26.6+25%19,000 km
Plug-in hybrid4,4597.51.3+504%29,000 km

Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0

What it costs in fuel

On real-world figures the diesel Mercedes-Benz S-Class uses 8.8 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 1,320 litres: €2,991 at this week's average price in Germany, its largest market in Europe.

CountryDieselPetrol hybridDiesel hybridPetrolPetrol per litreDiesel per litre
Germany€2,991€3,880€2,774€5,089€2.18€2.27
United Kingdom£2,631£3,108£2,440£4,077£1.75£1.99
France€3,096€3,969€2,871€5,206€2.23€2.35
Poland€2,363€2,778€2,192€3,644€1.56€1.79
Belgium€3,103€3,541€2,877€4,645€1.99€2.35
United States$2,188$2,015$2,029$2,643$1.13$1.66

Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.

Work it out for your driving

Compare running costs of other models

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the S-Class in at least 12 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.

SR/02431/25 · Fire, Injuries4 Jul 2025 · C-CLASS, CLE, E-CLASS, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, EQE SUV, GLC, S-CLASS, SL

An improperly reworked fuse box may lead to breaks in contact or incorrect fuse ratings. Therefore, systems connected to the fuse could fail, including the vehicle losing drive without warning as well as the restraint systems or the instrument cluster being co…

SR/03711/24 · Injuries20 Dec 2024 · C-Class, E-Class, M-Class, S-Class, CLS, GLC, GLS, GLE, GLK, GL

The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixi…

A12/03598/24 · Environment, Fire, Injuries13 Dec 2024 · S-Class

In the event of an independent hardware failure, the lambda control in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software can erroneously increase the amount of injected fuel during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures can increase and this can damage …

A12/00939/24 · Fire, Injuries19 Apr 2024 · AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, CLE, GLC, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV, EQS

A fuse may be faulty, which can lead to engine failure or impairment of the restraint functions and instrument cluster. This increases the risk of an accident, injuries and fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market survei…

A12/00485/24 · Injuries1 Mar 2024 · S-Class

The catch fixing the wheel hubcaps may not withstand the pressures encountered during driving. In such cases, the hubcaps could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of accident and injury to other road users. The product does not comply with the Regula…

A12/02416/23 · Fire, Injuries6 Oct 2023 · S-Class

The 12 volt ground wire screw in the trunk may be defective, which can lead to that certain electronic stability program (ESP) functions can be disabled or strong electrical currents may lead to a local increase in temperature, increasing the risk of an accide…

A12/02133/23 · Fire, Injuries15 Sept 2023 · S-Class

The fuse box of the engine compartment may be defective. High electrical currents could increase the temperature, creating a risk of fire. This is turn can lead to an electricity interruption and the vehicle may lose propulsion power, increasing the risk of an…

A12/00856/23 · Injuries21 Apr 2023 · S-Class

The instrument panel may detach, thereby affecting the deployment performance of the passenger airbag in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor v…

A12/00185/23 · Injuries3 Feb 2023 · M-, GLE-, GL-, GLS-, GLC-, GLK-, C-, E-, CLS-, S-Class

The aluminium bolts of the steering box may break. This can lead to detachment of the steering box from the power block, creating a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles a…

A12/01379/22 · Injuries7 Oct 2022 · S-Class

Trim parts of the backrest on both front seats can detach during rear airbag deployment in the event of an accident. The airbag deployment may be impaired and the airbag itself may be damaged, increasing the risk of injury to rear occupants. The product does n…

A12/00968/22 · Injuries8 Jul 2022 · CLA, GLA, GLE/GLS, A-Class, AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class Coupe/convertible, S-Class

Due to a defect in the high fuel pressure manifold the engine might be damaged. This may lead to reduced engine power and to inability to start the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and…

A12/00610/22 · Injuries22 Apr 2022 · S-Class

Improper welding on the rear axle can cause the thrust rod to come loose from the rear axle bracket. This may cause the vehicle to swerve in response to the road surface or the vehicle may skid sideways during emergency braking. This leads to loss of control o…

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

11 campaigns cover the S-Class.

11V496000 · Fuel system, diesel3 Oct 2011 · 2012

MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VEHICLES INCLUDING E-CLASS (212 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2010 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, R-CLASS (251 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2010 THROUGH APRIL 2011, ML-CLASS (W164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, GL-CLASS (X164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 S-CLASS (221 PLATFORM) VEHICLES. THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA AROUND THE HEATING COMPONENT.

09V081000 · Latches/locks/linkages13 Mar 2009 · 2009

MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 54 MY 2009 S-CLASS, W221 VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INTERCHANGED DURING PRODUCTION. THE EXCHANGE OF A FRONT AND A REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD RESULT IN A PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THAT CANNOT BE OPENED BY MERELY PULLING ON THE INTERIOR HANDLE AND A REAR DOOR LOCK THAT CAN BE OPENED WITH A SIMPLE PULL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE EVEN IF LOCKED.

08V303000 · Electrical system7 Jul 2008 · 2004

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.

07V263000 · Engine and engine cooling12 Jun 2007 · 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

06V028000 · Interior lighting2 Feb 2006 · 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

04V285000 · Latches/locks/linkages9 Jun 2004 · 2003, 2004

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.

04V227000 · Electrical system13 May 2004 · 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.

02V338000 · Electrical system16 Dec 2002 · 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT.

01V014000 · Visibility17 Jan 2001 · 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.

00V141000 · Equipment15 May 2000 · 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT.

96V058000 · Engine and engine cooling4 Apr 1996 · 1996

THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING.

NHTSA recalls