Mercedes Benz S Class Problems by Year
NHTSA has 259 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file for the Mercedes Benz S Class, across 13 model years (1995–2012). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (81). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
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Mercedes Benz S Class years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S Class year: 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 S Class: 81 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2002 S Class: 48 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2001 S Class: 36 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2012 S Class: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 1997 S Class: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 S Class: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes Benz S Class problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 101 | 9 | 0 |
| Suspension | 56 | 6 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 30 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 19 | 8 | 4 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 6 | 0 |
| Power Train | 12 | 8 | 1 |
| Equipment | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Tires | 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Visibility | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Steering | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz S Class model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 S Class | 1 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2009 S Class | 2 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2005 S Class | 2 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2004 S Class | 15 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 S Class | 28 | 2 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 S Class | 48 | 2 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 S Class | 36 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 S Class | 81 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 S Class | 9 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1998 S Class | 2 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1997 S Class | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1996 S Class | 6 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 S Class | 27 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz S Class years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (27), 2000 (81), 2001 (36), 2002 (48), 2003 (28), 2004 (15) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S Class year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes Benz S Class?
Electrical System, with 101 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz S Class have?
11 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.