Mercedes Benz S420 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Mercedes Benz S420, across 4 model years (1995–1999). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (5). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Mercedes Benz S420 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No S420 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 S420: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 S420: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 S420: 1 complaint, 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 S420 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz S420 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 S420 | 4 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1998 S420 | 1 | 0 | — | Equipment | |
| 1996 S420 | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 S420 | 5 | 0 | — | Electrical System |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz S420 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1995 (5), 1999 (4), 1998 (1). 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 S420?
Electrical System, with 8 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz S420 have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.