2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Fuel system, diesel
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.
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Complaints peaked in 2012 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“2012 mercedes s550. Consumer states vehicle slid backwards in parking lot *tgw the consumer stated the safety issue was regarding the vehicle being put in the neutral position after turning off the en”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 11, 2012 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S400 Hybrid, S550, S550 4matic, S600, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 12–19 / 19–25 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Engine | 6/8/12 cyl, 3.5/4.7/5.5/6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd; Automatic 7-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz S Class model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz S Class model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 12 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 27 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 6 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 9 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 81 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 36 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 48 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 28 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 4 | 15 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class
How do I know if my 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 11V496000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
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.