US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Mercedes-Benz S-Class recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1994–2012 with 23 recall campaigns and 338 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2001 (5), 2000 (5), and 2004 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2000 (101), 2002 (56), and 2001 (46).
Top recall themes: Electrical, Engine and cooling, and Seats and restraints.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Interior lighting.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Electrical
3 campaigns · Years: 2000–2001, 2004
These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Interior lighting.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2012
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train.
2009
1
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Latches/locks/linkages.
2005
1
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor, Air bags, Electrical system.
2004
4
17
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal.
2003
3
43
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Suspension:front, Suspension.
2002
2
56
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Electrical system.
2001
5
46
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Interior lighting, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel.
2000
5
101
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Interior lighting, Suspension:front:springs:air suspension system.
1999
0
10
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1998
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Tires.
1997
0
4
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:software, Electrical system:wiring, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
1996
1
6
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:power window devices and controls, Electrical system:wiring, Engine and engine cooling.
1995
0
32
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring.
1994
0
14
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Interior lighting
, Engine and engine cooling
and Electrical system
Show recall evidence by year
2012
Fuel system, diesel:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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), manufactured from april 2010 through april 2011, ml-class (w164 platform), manufactured from january 2010 through ma
2009
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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. The exchange of a front and a rear passenger side door lock would result in a passenger side door that cannot be op
2005
Interior lighting:
Safety recall involving the interior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
2004
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 causing deterioration of the hose.
Electrical system:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas
2003
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 causing deterioration of the hose.
2002
Interior lighting:
Safety recall involving the interior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 causing deterioration of the hose.
2001
Visibility: Windshield wiper/washer:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The sheathing material on the electrical connection of the heated windshield washer bottle hose could overheat.
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Electrical system: Fuses and circuit breakers:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Interior lighting:
Safety recall involving the interior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 causing deterioration of the hose.
2000
Equipment: Air conditioner:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to an internal defect in the circuitry of the blower motor regulator, the regulator may overheat.
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Electrical system: Fuses and circuit breakers:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Interior lighting:
Safety recall involving the interior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 causing deterioration of the hose.
1996
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 power steering.
Other Mercedes-Benz Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Mercedes-Benz models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
