Mercedes-Benz S-Class complaints by model year
271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2003 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2001 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 2000 | 81 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1999 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 1998–2012. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2009 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 33 | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 0 | 2 | 21 | 5 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interior lighting | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls (11)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one S-Class model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11V496000 | Oct 3, 2011 | DIESEL FUEL FILTER | 2012 | — |
| 09V081000 | Mar 13, 2009 | DOOR LOCKS | 2009 | — |
| 08V303000 | Jul 7, 2008 | INCORRECT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER CODIFICATION | 2004 | — |
| 07V263000 | Jun 12, 2007 | ABC HIGH PRESSURE HOSE | 2000–2004 | — |
| 06V028000 | Feb 2, 2006 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE | 2000–2005 | — |
| 04V285000 | Jun 9, 2004 | MERCEDES BENZ\TRUNK LID SPRINGS | 2003, 2004 | — |
| 04V227000 | May 13, 2004 | MERCEDES-BENZ/BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER | 2000, 2001 | — |
| 02V338000 | Dec 16, 2002 | MERCEDES-BENZ/TRUNK FLOOR MATS/STATIC DISCHARGE | 2000, 2001 | — |
| 01V014000 | Jan 17, 2001 | MERCEDES-BENZ/WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER BOTTLE | 2001 | — |
| 00V141000 | May 15, 2000 | MERCEDES-BENZ/BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR | 2000 | — |
| 96V058000 | Apr 4, 1996 | MERCEDES/ENGINE:PULLEY:CRANKSHAFT | 1996 | — |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Mercedes-Benz S-Class FAQ
How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz S-Class had?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns that cover at least one Mercedes-Benz S-Class model year from 1994 to 2012. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class year has the most complaints?
Among the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 2000 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (81) and the 2012 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems?
Across the 1998–2012 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, suspension, interior lighting in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class at 15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.