Major Problems with Mercedes-Benz S-Class Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

Custom-fit Add-ons

Torque wrench
Mechanic tool set
Tool box

Best and Worst Years for Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Model Year	Complaints
2012 S-Class	1
2009 S-Class	2
2005 S-Class	1
2004 S-Class	5
2003 S-Class	14
2002 S-Class	25
2001 S-Class	17
2000 S-Class	42
1999 S-Class	4

Worst 3 Mercedes-Benz S-Class complaints

2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class LOCK Victims: 2

2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class FRONTAL Victims: 1 Mileage: 181000 miles

2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class FRONTAL Victims: 1 Mileage: 110000 miles

Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION and INTERIOR LIGHTING are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM a complete shutdown of the electrical system occurred after a rain. as a result i am unable to drive the...	19 ~ 75672 miles
SUSPENSION in 12-06 i bought a 2004 mercedes benz s500. since than i took the car back the dealer more ten...	17 ~ 73610 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING the interior lights are malfunctioning in my car and i can't read my gauges on the speedometer during the day	15 ~ 92615 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the interior lights are malfunctioning in my car and i can't read my gauges on the speedometer during the day	15 ~ 84103 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION incident one: 1. while driving in atlanta ga in february of 2007. the front airmatic suspension failed while crossing an...	7 ~ 69853 miles
AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz s class. the contact was driving 55 mph when a vehicle ahead...	6 ~ 56228 miles
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM > SPRINGS > FRONT i own a 2002 mercedes benz s-430 with 69 000 miles that i purchased new. on february 7th & 8th...	6 ~ 79284 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION incident one: 1. while driving in atlanta ga in february of 2007. the front airmatic suspension failed while crossing an...	5 ~ 75375 miles
TIRES l/f wheel bent l/r wheel cracked. *ak...	4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER air bag blew up with out crash about march 2008 my car was parked in my house driveway overnight next...	3 ~ 84500 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES there are no child safety locks on the rear doors. the manufacturer seems to think the fact that the door...	2 ~ 199264 miles
STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz sl500. while driving the contact noticed that her check engine light illuminated and...	2 ~ 68935 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS a simple traffic accident which led to an explosion car air bags and injuring my daughter in the right eye...	2 ~ 145500 miles
EQUIPMENT air bag blew up with out crash about march 2008 my car was parked in my house driveway overnight next...	2 ~ 71284 miles
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM > SPRINGS > REAR had 2000 mercedes s500 car in garage for a week noticed the car is very low tires almost rubbing the...	2 ~ 73650 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT dt*: the contact stated that there was overheating with the air conditioner as related to recall #00v141000. the vehicle was...	2 ~ 112000 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM vehicle is a 2001 s-500. almost word for word the same issue(s) as odi id number : 10100807. same car...	2 ~ 56850 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES l/f wheel bent l/r wheel cracked. *ak...	2
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the engine stalled 3 times. model s430. *jb on one occasion the speed suddenly dropped from 47-15mph. scc ...	2 ~ 4215 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING on starting the vehicle the instrument panel was black without illumination or reading. as a result gauges to speedometer odometer	1 ~ 103000 miles
POWER TRAIN 2012 mercedes s550. consumer states vehicle slid backwards in parking lot *tgw the consumer stated the safety issue was regarding...	1
VISIBILITY rear view mirror leaking . lava effect blurred dimmer failure. *tr...	1 ~ 38954 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz s55 amg. the contact stated that he was unable to shift the...	1 ~ 118000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz s class. the contact was driving 55 mph when a vehicle ahead...	1 ~ 8000 miles
SEAT BELTS i have had to replace two cable harnesses for seat belt in both front seat. connectors are being replaced in...	1
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia) 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) september 2009 air blower to heater and...	1 ~ 199264 miles
FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz s430. the contact stated that the dashboard became so hot that it was...	1 ~ 112000 miles
WHEELS in 12-06 i bought a 2004 mercedes benz s500. since than i took the car back the dealer more ten...	1 ~ 86666 miles
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES in 12-06 i bought a 2004 mercedes benz s500. since than i took the car back the dealer more ten...	1 ~ 86666 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT as i was driving my 2001 mercedes benz s500. my airmatic suspension fail and my car front went down as...	1 ~ 140000 miles
SEATS when a passanger sits in the front seat their weight enables the air bags to work. however after they have...	1 ~ 46000 miles
CHILD SEAT when a passanger sits in the front seat their weight enables the air bags to work. however after they have...	1 ~ 46000 miles
AUTOMATIC (ASC) > ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL my name is [xxx] recall: problem: on certain vehicles corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active...	1 ~ 79000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS air bag blew up with out crash about march 2008 my car was parked in my house driveway overnight next...	1 ~ 84500 miles
LINES AND FITTINGS > AIR SUSPENSION > SPRINGS the seals on the front air shocks cracked causing the car to drop almost down on the tires. i see...	1 ~ 59950 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz sl340. the contact stated that several attempts were made to repair the tail...	1 ~ 3000 miles
FRONT > SEAT BELTS when i tried to fasten the driver's seat belt it wouldn't release. after two attempts to release the seat belt...	1 ~ 111517 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM catalytic converter failed after only 4 years. *nm...	1 ~ 89106 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS mercedes benz s 500 had total brake failure. vehicle has about 12 000 to 14 000 miles on it. dealer...	1 ~ 12000 miles
LOCK > TRUNK LID > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES my 2003 mercedes s500 has twice electronically self-closed it's trunk on two separate users on two separate occasions. this vehicle...	1
TREAD/BELT > TIRES 2000 mercedes benz s500 equipped with continental contact touring 22560hr16 tires had steel belting protruding between tread and next layer...	1
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT i was driving on a highway when car just stopped. i had to get out of the car and push	1 ~ 55000 miles
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM consumer received recall 04v227000 concerning blower motor fuse holder. consumer took vehicle and the notification to the dealer who refused...	1 ~ 53000 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM mercedes s-class w220 (2000 and up)instrument cluster failed including spedometer flashers signal control engine temperature and other information critical to...	1 ~ 50000 miles
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS the front passenger side and driver side seat belts were not retracting. ak sc *jb...	1 ~ 103000 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING sudden loss of control of steering. streeing became very very heavy.*ak...	1
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL accelarator failed to respond due to failure of pedal valve sensors and or sender almost resulting in a serious accident.*ak ivoq y 20000608 n n y 8 rwd fi gs auto daytona	1 ~ 51934 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT this auto's command (communications) system (radio/cass/cell phone/navigation system) has failed intermittantly eleven times over the past 2 years. since i...	1 ~ 127 miles
NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT this auto's command (communications) system (radio/cass/cell phone/navigation system) has failed intermittantly eleven times over the past 2 years. since i...	1 ~ 127 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING hesitates on accelleration(dangerous at intersections and passing) have complained 4 times to seller and they can not correct it. please	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY consumer having problems with the laminating on the front windshield. ph...	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL when tapping the brakes the throttle acellerator hesitates for one moment. dealership is aware of problem. *ak on one occasion...	1
PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN while vehicle was parked inside garage consumer's child bumped park pawl causing vehicle to roll backwards out of garge and...	1

FAQ

What year Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 9 years, Mercedes-Benz S-Class models of 2012, 2005, 2009 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Mercedes-Benz S-Class models of 2000 and 2002 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

Torque wrench

EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrenc...
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V) Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISE - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat-treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONGEVITY -...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON Inch Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inc...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque ...
- Includes 1-pc. 3/8 in. drive torque wrench; Storage case; Product manual with torque conversion chart
- Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- Permanently marked, high-contrast dual-range...

Mechanic tool set

Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set i...
- The Crescent Professional Tool Set has a newly designed 72T quick release ratchet
- Carefully selected assortment of hand tools for most industrial, mechanical, and consumer applications
- Get incredible access from combination wrenches with narrow heads,...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 215 Piece, ...
- MINIMAL ARCH SWING: 72-tooth 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Drive Ratchets produce a 5-degree arc swing. Ideal balance between access and durability.
- VERSATILE: Comprehensive set of 1/4 in., 3/8 in. Drive Sockets and Drive Tool...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 230 Piece w...
- TACKLE A VARIETY OF PROJECTS: Complete automotive jobs and general mechanic fixes with this heavy-duty, 230-piece all-in-one mechanic tool set
- OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRAWERS WITH ONE HAND as you work with a spring-loaded locking...
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4" & 3/8" &...
- 72 tooth count ratchet providing a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Anti-slip driver handle provides maximum comfort
- Housed in a durable carrying case with metal latches
- Full-polish chrome for corrosion resistance
DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Se...
- Socket sets include 72 tooth count ratchets which allow for a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Ratchets include a low profile directional lever to help reduce catch points and for easy...
Amazon Basics Mechanic's Tool Set with C...
- Mechanic tool kit and socket set for tackling multiple sizes and types of fasteners, especially nuts and bolts
- Includes a 201-piece set that combines most popular sockets, wrenches, hex keys, and screwdriver bits
- Both metric...

Tool box

TUFFIOM 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest w/Lo...
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: The rolling tool chest is designed with 8 drawers and 1 bottom cabinet for storing tools, small equipment or other objects. And the bottom cabinet features side hooks for hanging tools like...
beyond by BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BDST...
- Sturdy + Stackable: Durable Auto-Lock Latches Make Connecting These Stackable Units Quick And Easy
- Quick Access: The Quick-Release On The Locking Latch Allows You To Easily Separate Each Module When Stacked For Quick Access To...
BIG RED ANTBD133-XB Torin 20" Portable 3...
- Heavy duty tool box is made of thick steel, with powder coat red paint finish, beautiful and easy to clean
- Measures 20.5" L x 8.5" W x 12" H, and is equipped with 3 drawers...
DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Rep...
- HIGH QUALITY&STANDARDS:Forged from high-quality steel and finished in high-polish chrome,strength, durability, anti-corrosion protection.All the tools meet or exceed ANSI critical standards
- COMPLETE VARIETIES:Contains tools needed for most small repairs and basic DIY projects around the...
Torin 17-Inch Plastic Tool Box,3-Tiers M...
- Tough metal latches are solid and easy to open and close, with long use life
- Foldable three-tier tray provides you with more storage space and you can separate metric and imperial tools to take them...
CARTMAN 148 Piece Automotive and Househo...
- Comprehensive Tool Set: The Cartman 148-Piece Tool Kit includes all the crucial tools needed for everyday home repairs and maintenance, from cutting to tightening, measuring to hammering.
- Durable and Corrosion-Resistant: All tools in the kit...