RecallMyCar

Mercedes-Benz S Class Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 271 owner complaints across 14 model years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class (1994–2012). The most-complained-about year is 2000.

11
safety recalls, all years
271
owner complaints, all years
2000
year with most recalls
2000
year with most complaints

Pick your Mercedes-Benz S Class model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class11
2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class12
2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class12
2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class415
2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class228
2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class248
2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class536
2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class581
1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class09
1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class02
1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class02
1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class16
1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class027
1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class012

What Mercedes-Benz S Class owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 271 complaints with NHTSA. The 2000 model year has the most, with 81.

All Mercedes-Benz S Class recalls (11)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Mercedes-Benz S Class, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Fuel system, diesel

    NHTSA 11V496000 Reported 6,872 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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),…

    Remedy: Mbusa will contact owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the diesel fuel filter if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on november 30, 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz USA at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2012

  2. Latches/locks/linkages

    NHTSA 09V081000 Reported 54 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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…

    Remedy: Dealers will check the part number on all door locks and replace any incorrectly installed door lock free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2009. Owners may contact mercedes benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2009

  3. Electrical system

    NHTSA 08V303000 Reported 404 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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…

    Remedy: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2004

  4. Suspension and engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 07V263000 Reported 19,924 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new corrosion resistant abc high pressure distribution hose. The recall began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

  5. Interior lighting

    NHTSA 06V028000 Reported 36,911 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules. The recall will be conducted in phases. Phase i was mailed out to approximately 7,500 owners on september 29, 2006. Phase ii and phase iii is scheduled for december…

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005

  6. Lock (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 04V285000 Reported 16,690 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both trunk lid springs. The recall began august 17, 2004. Owners should contact mercedes- benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2003, 2004

  7. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 04V227000 Reported 54,454 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new blower motor fuse holders. The recall began during october 2004. Owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2000, 2001

  8. 12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)

    NHTSA 02V338000 Reported 65,000 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a static insulation panel between the carpet and the vehicle battery which will provide an electrical grounding. Owner notification began february 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an…

    Model years: 2000, 2001

  9. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

    NHTSA 01V014000 Reported 3,400 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The sheathing material on the electrical connection of the heated windshield washer bottle hose could overheat.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the heated washer bottle hose assembly. Owner notification began january 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

    Model years: 2001

  10. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 00V141000 Reported 7,100 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to an internal defect in the circuitry of the blower motor regulator, the regulator may overheat.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the blower motor regulator.

    Model years: 2000

  11. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 96V058000 Reported 149 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.

    Model years: 1996

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.