Reliability & cost of ownership
Mercedes Benz S Class Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Mercedes Benz S Class? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Mercedes Benz S Class problems by model year
27 recall entries and 163 owner complaints on file across 13 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 S Class | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2009 S Class | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2005 S Class | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2004 S Class | 4 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2003 S Class | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2002 S Class | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2001 S Class | 5 | 36 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 S Class | 5 | 81 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1999 S Class | 1 | 9 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1998 S Class | 1 | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1997 S Class | 1 | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1996 S Class | 2 | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1995 S Class | 1 | 27 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Mercedes Benz S Class, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- electrical system79 complaints
- suspension28 complaints
- interior lighting24 complaints
- equipment9 complaints
- engine and engine cooling8 complaints
- air bags8 complaints
- visibility6 complaints
- tires5 complaints