Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Mercedes-Benz S Class, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2009
2012
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 56 complaints in its first 8 years (81 to date)
- 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 37 complaints in its first 8 years (48 to date)
- 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 27 complaints in its first 8 years (36 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 25 complaints in its first 8 years (28 to date)
- 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 27 complaints in its first 8 years (36 to date)
- 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 37 complaints in its first 8 years (48 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 15 | 14 | 4 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 28 | 25 | 2 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 48 | 37 | 2 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 36 | 27 | 5 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 81 | 56 | 5 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 9 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 27 | 2 | 0 |
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V496000 | 2012 | 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... |
| 09V081000 | 2009 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 54 MY 2009 S-CLASS, W221 VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INTERCHANGED DURING... |
| 08V303000 | 2004 | Electrical System | MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND... |
| 07V263000 | 2000-2004 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY... |
| 06V028000 | 2000-2005 | Interior Lighting | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. |
| 04V285000 | 2003-2004 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION. |
| 04V227000 | 2000-2001 | Electrical System | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES. |
| 02V338000 | 2000-2001 | Electrical System | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. |
| 01V014000 | 2001 | Visibility | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT. |
| 00V141000 | 2000 | Equipment | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT. |
| 96V058000 | 1996 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. |