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Mercedes-Benz S600Years to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls on record for the Mercedes-Benz S600.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints72Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls91995–2017 model years

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

Best & worst years

Mercedes-Benz S600 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 S600 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'95'97'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'11'12'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2017Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2016Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls2015Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2012Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2011Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2007Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls2006Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2005Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall2003Not rated–/1006 complaints · 1 recall2002Not rated–/10011 complaints · 1 recall2001Not rated–/10038 complaints · 1 recall1997Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Mercedes-Benz S600 problems

All model years combined: 72 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
Engine and engine cooling261
Suspension192
Electrical system162
Engine111
Interior lighting40
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Power train31
Vehicle speed control20
Seats20
5 other systems50
9 recalls

Mercedes-Benz S600 recalls

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

41%Body: roof and pillars23V-854 · 2015–2016 · Dec 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles55%Body: roof and pillars21V-197 · 2015–2016 · Mar 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles95%Communication: auto crash notification21V-058 · 2017 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles78%Communication19V-787 · 2015–2016 · Nov 1, 2019 · 24,226 vehicles93%Doors: latch17V-816 · 2017 · Dec 18, 2017 · 8,700 vehicles100%Seat belts: pretensioner17V-251 · 2017 · Apr 11, 2017 · 12,743 vehicles83%Steering: electric power assist system16V-899 · 2016 · Dec 14, 2016 · 70 vehicles30%Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems11V-493 · 2011–2012 · Oct 3, 2011 · 158 vehicles–Suspension04V-228 · 2001–2004 · May 13, 2004 · 6,238 vehicles
3 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the S600

  1. Front Roof Panel DetachmentPE21001 · 2015–2016 · closed Oct 14, 2021
    Led to recall 21V-197
  2. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILUREPE07042 · 2002–2004 · closed Nov 20, 2007
    No recall
  3. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILUREPE05062 · 2001 · closed Feb 8, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-028