2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other S 500 years
- Not enough data 11th of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500. That ranks 11th out of 13 S 500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 20,700 miles. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 1owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 100% | 20,700 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 S 500, Maybach S 580 4MATIC, 2021-2023 S 580 4MATIC, 2022 S 680 4MATIC, and 2023 S 580e 4MATIC vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025030007.
Communication: auto crash notification; electrical system:software
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Maybach S 580 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC, and S 580 4MATIC vehicles. The emergency call system may fail to place an automatic or manual call and may not provide the vehicle location as intended.
Risk: A disabled emergency call system that prevents a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services or fails to identify the vehicle location, can delay emergency responders and increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the communication module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024110002.
Back over prevention:display function
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 AMG EQS53, EQS580, EQS450, 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error in the MBUX multimedia system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022080002.
Electrical system:software; communication: auto crash notification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
Steering:column
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S580 4Matic and S500 4Matic vehicles. The electrical connector to the steering column module may not be secured properly, which can disable gear shifts and/or safety features including the electronic stability program, the driver's air bag, and turn signal indicators.
Risk: Disabled safety features or the inability to shift gears can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the cover for the electrical connector, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040006.
Exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights; exterior lighting:turn signal; exterior lighting:back up lights
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 EQS 450, EQS 580, and 2021 S500 and S580 vehicles. A software error may disable the rear turn signals, hazard lights, and reverse lights.
Risk: Disabled rear turn signals, hazard lights, and reverse lights can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other driver's, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rear signal software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040013.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger; air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The air bag control unit software may deactivate the occupant recognition control unit, resulting in a deactivated front passenger air bag.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021100010. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalls until the contact engages the vehicle in sport mode. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and a…
Other Mercedes-Benz S 500 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 S 500 | 1 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 | 7 |
| 2007 S 500 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 S 500 | 13 | 0 |
| 2005 S 500 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 S 500 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003 S 500 | 10 | 0 |
| 2002 S 500 | 25 | 0 |
| 2001 S 500 | 34 | 0 |
| 2000 S 500 | 55 | 0 |
| 1999 S 500 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 S 500 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 S 500 | 4 | 0 |
See all Mercedes-Benz S 500 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes-Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S 500 model years, the 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.