Mercedes-Benz S-Class Complaints

351 consumer complaints on file.

#11659547May 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
-Combustion engine sporadically fails to start. -Combustion engine can no longer be started. -Start/Stop function is sporadically unavailable (READY displayed in yellow in instrument cluster). -Start/Stop function fails to function properly in dangerous road conditions - e.g., when pulling into an intersection, in stop & go traffic, when proceeding at a stop light, etc. -This is the second time this major incident has occurred; this was repaired in December 2020 under manufacturer warranty. The Power Electronics (Electric Motor) Control Unit was replaced. It is clear this is a recurring failure affecting this vehicle. ***Campaign No. 2012080004, November 2012 addresses this exact issue - for this exact car (i.e., Mercedes-Benz S 400 (221.195) V6-3.5L (272.974) Hybrid. However, that Recall Campaign is covers Model Years 2010-2012, but fails to cover MY 2013, which is exactly the same as the covered vehicles. This Campaign instructs to Check/Replace the Power Electronics Module, which is the part that my local Mercedes-Benz dealership has advised has failed and needs to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657449April 29, 2025
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:SPRINGS/BAGS
The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact noticed that the air suspension had collapsed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,879.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655140April 17, 2025
ENGINE, WHEELS
Brought my vehicle to my mechanic because of noise that recently appeared in my car. To my surprise the mechanic stated that my engine is completely failing and would require an entire new engine. I purchased this car less than two years ago with an estimated 79,000 miles. Vehicle currently has an estimated 112,000 miles. Never missed a service interval for the vehicle. Now several components of the engine are completely failing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654826April 15, 2025
TIRES:SIDEWALL
The tire (Pirelli 255/35R21) on my 2023 Mercedes Benz 580V4 developed a bubble on its sidewall. This tire was just replaced February 16, 2024, and has under 8,000 miles on it. This is the fourth tire I have replaced due to bubbles on the sidewalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653399April 8, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Roof panel between windshield and panoramic sunroof has developed fine hairline fractures on the polycarbonate panel. Why wasn't my vehicle included in recall 21V-197? Thanks for your time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651654March 31, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The following pictures will again show the issues that I'm having while driving my 2022 S Class Mercedes, while using the cruise control on the Belt Parkway. It shows me stuck in traffic and, although I can only go 11 miles an hour while I’m stuck in traffic, the cruise control wants to push it to 80 mph, which is indeed VERY VERY DANGEROUS!! as you can well imagine. Also, as you can see in the second picture, I have the cruise control set to 39 MPH. I have been writing for the past two months with no resolve as yet. The repair records speak for themselves and still Mercedes Benz offers no remedy. It would appear that it's going to take a severe accident or fatality to bring some type of action on your part to replace this vehicle, which is definitely a LEMON!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650963March 27, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Here we go again, while driving on a side road with a 20 mph school speed limit, the cruise control wants to SPEED UP to 60 mph!! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO REMEDY THIS BEFORE I’M INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649962March 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I leased my 2022 S 500, Mercedes Benz. on September 28, 2022 and after about a year, I have had issues with the large screen/radio and cruise control in the vehicle. All events are documented at the Rockville Centre, Long Island service center. I have made numerous complaints beginning in January of this year through emails and was assigned a case number with Mercedes Benz corporate which is 12240831. On numerous occasions, while using the cruise control set to 50 MPH, the vehicle will accelerate to 80 MPH on a highway with a 50 MPH speed limit. Then on other occasions, while using the cruise control, the vehicle will accelerate to 80 MPH on a highway with a 25 MPH speed limit. Then, at other times, while using the cruise control set to 50 MPH, on a highway which has a 50 MPH speed limit, the car will reduce to 10 MPH . All of these scenarios are VERY DANGEROUS as you can well imagine. On many other occasions, the screen map will become blurry & distorted causing confusion as to my whereabouts. **The time has come for a replacement/repurchase of this vehicle and, I believe, at this time, this vehicle should be considered for the "LEMON LAW" under all applicable State and Federal laws. I can send a separate email with all of the pictures of the screen and cruise control issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648771March 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
as a loyal Mercedes Benz customer for the past 15 years, here I am writing to you for the fourth time since January 28th. of this year. My case number is [XXX]. I leased my 2022 S 500, VIN # [XXX] on [XXX] and after about a year, I have had issues with the large screen/radio in the vehicle. All events are documented with your Rockville Centre, Long Island service facility where the staff has been very helpful. On numerous occasions, while using the cruise control set to 50 MPH, the vehicle will accelerate to 80 MPH on a highway with a 50 MPH speed limit. Then on other occasions, while using the cruise control, the vehicle will accelerate to 80 MPH on a highway with a 25 MPH speed limit. Then, at other times, while using the cruise control set to 50 MPH, on a highway which has a 50 MPH speed limit, the car will reduce to 10 MPH . All of these scenarios are VERY DANGEROUS as you can well imagine. On many other occasions, the screen map will become blurry & distorted causing confusion as to my whereabouts. On a side note, we had an usually warm day [XXX]. here in New York City of about 55° and while riding around NY City, the air conditioner was not cooling properly and was brought in for service shortly afterwards for that issue as well as all of the screen issues. The same problem with the air conditioning occurred last week as the temperatures in New York City were about 55° and, frustrated again, I brought the vehicle in for the air conditioner and screen issues and they kept the vehicle for ten (10) days!!. **The time has come for a replacement/repurchase of this vehicle and, I believe, at this time, this vehicle should be considered for the "LEMON LAW" under all applicable State and Federal laws. I will be sending a separate email with a few pictures of the screen issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647210March 9, 2025
STEERING
The steering wheel became difficult to control.Also,steering wheel module waring light came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646497March 5, 2025
TIRES
I purchased this car as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Mercedes Benz in December 2024 with 14,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle has factory 21-inch AMG rims. Since that time, I have had to replace 5 tires on this vehicle, all from Mercedes Benz dealerships. I purchased an additional $2,000 tire insurance policy from Mercedes Benz due to this recurrent issue. Due to the size of this rim, these tires are extremely prone to blowing and flats. Furthermore, this vehicle does not come with a spare tire or even with a storage compartment which can accommodate a spare tire. I was under the impression that this is because Mercedes Benz equips these vehicles with run-flat tires, however I recently learned that Mercedes does not offer run-flat tires on the 21 inch rim, leaving customers with no choice to but have the vehicle towed each time a flat tire occurs. I have been stranded on the side of the road 3 times within the past 3 weeks alone. Other customers have experienced and reported similar issues with this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646218March 4, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The rear seatbelts do not retract to restrain the passenger. They also don't retract after the passenger has exited the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643990February 20, 2025
WHEELS
I purchased this vehicle used at a dealer in Virginia. I drove it home to Chelsea Alabama, outside Birmingham. After a couple of days, my front right tire went flat. I took it to the dealer and they said the flat tire was caused by a cracked rim and required both to be replaced. Almost $3,000 for tire and rim. I continued to drive the car, maybe 4,000-5,000 miles and I had another tire go flat. This was the drivers side rear tire. This was a Pirelli 285/35 R20 run flat tire. Again when I took it to the dealer, this rim was cracked and also needed to be replaced along with the tire. $2,790. The car has 55,000 miles and is meticulously maintained. And I do not drive on rough roads. The dealer consistently states it was due to “hitting a pot hole” which a) is not the case in both these incidents, and b) a rim should not break from running into regular small imperfections in the road. I’ve been in the auto manufacturing business for 38 years and have never, ever had a rim fail, not once but twice in 4 months on the same vehicle. After investigating, this is happening all over. My feeling is the rim has not been sufficiently designed to support the weight of this vehicle. And now, every time I take the car out, I fear for my life and my families life. Frankly, the car is not safe because the rims can and will crack and split under regular driving conditions! This can cause a blowout and possible injury or death. This cost and the cost of my safety should be covered by Mercedes. They should replace these rims with stronger, more properly designed rims to ensure my families future safety!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643496February 18, 2025
WHEELS
I’ve had to replace six tires due to blowouts from hitting small potholes, something I’ve never experienced in the past 40 years of driving other vehicles! This seems to be a manufacturing defect in the vehicle, as the tires can’t support the weight of the car, and any pressure on them causes them to blow out. I’m now hesitant to drive long distances, fearing that one or more tires could blow out at any time. Without a spare tire in the trunk, I’m left stranded. Below are answers to your question: 1. The tires failed, yes they are available for inspection. Also have photos of the damaged tires. 2. The safety of myself and my passengers is at risk, as a tire blowout while driving at 55 mph could potentially cause the vehicle to lose control and result in a serious accident.. 3. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. 4. The vehicles tires have been inspected by an insurance representative and independent service center 5. NO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642566February 13, 2025
ENGINE
Cylinder wall 2 and 3 scorn horribly. Coolant leaking into cylinder 2 & 3. Dealer recommendation of new motor due to bad block. German Auto Works and CarStoreUSA Wichita KS both recommend new motor and have advised of many of same motors being recalled by Mercedes Benz. I also spoke with Mercedes Benz North America. The heads were replaced in 2022 already and have under 10k miles on motor since repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640331February 3, 2025
TIRES
On [XXX] I had a blowout on the passenger front side of my vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Sugarland MB and a new Pirelli 255/35 R21 purchased. The blowout happened after I hit a bump (not pothole) in the road on [XXX] at [XXX] . My 2023 MB 580V had 9701 miles on it and had just had it's first "A" service with no defects noted in any of the tires. On [XXX] I noticed a bulge on the front driver's side tire. I took it into Sewell MB and they notice additional defects on another tire. I had to purchase one front driver side 255/35 R21 and a rear passenger side 285/30R 21. After leaving the dealership I filed a complaint with the NHTSA file #11622692 and called Pirelli to report the failures and make a formal complaint. I also called MB customer service and opened case #[XXX]. A representative from Pirelli contacted me on 10/31/2024 @ 11:00am and basically stated the issue with multiple failures of these 21" tires across the US is a MB problem and not Pirelli's. As of this followup complaint I have not been contacted by any one else . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639174January 28, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V704000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637720January 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S450. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted into neutral. The contact had to hold down the gear shifter for about 30 seconds before the system was reset. Additionally, the check engine warning light was later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission valve body failure. The contact was informed that the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636844January 18, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While on the freeway, going approximately 70 mph, the vehicles onboard cameras all failed and I got a warning that said “camera dirty/unavailable/traffic sign assist currently unavailable”. Because of this failure, I almost crashed the car in Front of me. I cleaned all the cameras. The message continues to appear. The dealer said “it’s a known malfunction with this particular model, based on the chip shortage, during Covid”. My car has 57000 miles and apparently several owners of this model, are experiencing the same issue. Dealer wants to charge $1,800.00 to fix a vehicle safety feature, that shouldn’t fail this soon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635510January 12, 2025
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
FUALTY DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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