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Mercedes-Benz S ClassYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 271 NHTSA owner complaints across 14 model years, the Mercedes-Benz S Class years to avoid are 2000, and the strongest years are 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2003. The S Class has 11 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoid'00Based on weighted complaintsBest years'95 '01 '02 '03Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints271Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls111994–2012 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Mercedes-Benz S Class years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S Class median. Tap a year for its full report.

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'09'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2012Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2009Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall2005Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall2004Not rated–/10015 complaints · 4 recalls2003Solid56/10028 complaints · 2 recalls2002Solid45/10048 complaints · 2 recalls2001Solid50/10036 complaints · 5 recalls2000Avoid28/10081 complaints · 5 recalls1999Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1006 complaints · 1 recall1995Solid58/10027 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/10012 complaints · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Mercedes-Benz S Class problems

All model years combined: 271 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system1143
Suspension571
Interior lighting300
Air bags196
Engine and engine cooling141
Power train121
Tires101
Equipment102
Visibility91
14 other systems447
11 recalls

Mercedes-Benz S Class recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Fuel system, diesel11V-496 · 2012 · Oct 3, 2011 · 6,872 vehicles–Latches/locks/linkages09V-081 · 2009 · Mar 13, 2009 · 54 vehicles–Electrical system08V-303 · 2004 · Jul 7, 2008 · 404 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling07V-263 · 2000–2004 · Jun 12, 2007 · 19,924 vehicles–Interior lighting06V-028 · 2000–2005 · Feb 2, 2006 · 36,911 vehicles–Trunk lid: lock04V-285 · 2003–2004 · Jun 9, 2004 · 16,690 vehicles–Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers04V-227 · 2000–2001 · May 13, 2004 · 54,454 vehicles–Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery02V-338 · 2000–2001 · Dec 16, 2002 · 65,000 vehicles–Visibility: windshield wiper/washer01V-014 · 2001 · Jan 17, 2001 · 3,400 vehicles–Appliance: air conditioner00V-141 · 2000 · May 15, 2000 · 7,100 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling: engine96V-058 · 1996 · Apr 4, 1996 · 149 vehicles
3 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the S Class

  1. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILUREPE07042 · 2000–2004 · closed Nov 20, 2007
    No recall
  2. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILUREPE05062 · 2000–2001 · closed Feb 8, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-028
  3. ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREPE03058 · 2000 · closed Apr 22, 2004
    No recall