Complaints by model year
Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Mercedes-Benz S Class. Hover a bar for the count.
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2009
2012
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years
Which years to avoid
Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.
Years to look at twice
- 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 101 complaints
- 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 56 complaints
- 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 46 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Quieter years
- 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 56 complaints
- 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class - 101 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.
What fails, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 3 | 1 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 3 | 1 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 17 | 4 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 43 | 2 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 56 | 2 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 46 | 5 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 101 | 5 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 10 | 0 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 6 | 1 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 32 | 0 |
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 14 | 0 |
| 1993 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.
| 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 PLATFORM), |
| 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 PRODUCTION |
| 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 2008 |
| 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 CAUSIN |
| 06V028000 | 2000-2005 | Interior Lighting | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEH |
| 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. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR P |