NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake hoses may rupture, causing brake fluid to leak and reducing braking ability.
This page covers 8 recalls and 19 owner complaints for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 500.
The dominant pattern in 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 500 complaints centers on the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control system, which draws the most reports by a clear margin. Owners describe the cruise control behaving erratically, most notably, accelerating toward speeds well above the posted limit or current traffic conditions rather than holding or reducing speed as expected. A smaller cluster of owners reports the central touchscreen going blank or dropping offline, which takes climate controls, the backup camera, and other functions with it when it fails. Fuel system complaints account for a handful of additional reports, though at lower volume. The cruise control acceleration behavior is the most consistently described symptom across multiple owners.
19
Total Complaints
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 500 has 8 recalls, the most serious involving the fuel pump shutting down without warning and front brake hoses that can rupture and leak fluid, both of which reduce your ability to stop or maintain control.
The fuel pump issue can cut drive power while underway, raising crash risk. On the brake side, a ruptured front hose leaks fluid and extends stopping distance. A separate suspension recall covers certain trims where a rear axle thrust arm can break free and detach, causing sudden loss of control or pulling sharply to one side during emergency braking. There is also a dashboard recall affecting a small number of vehicles where the panel is not properly secured, which can cause the front passenger airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash.
On the electronics side, the MBUX infotainment system can allow TV and internet content to play while driving, distracting the driver. The heated leather steering wheel on some vehicles can lose its hands-off detection function, disabling lane-keeping warnings and the automatic emergency stop feature. A separate software issue can restrict or disable the built-in emergency call system, potentially delaying help from reaching occupants after a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake hoses may rupture, causing brake fluid to leak and reducing braking ability.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump may unexpectedly shut down, causing the engine to lose power while driving.
What the fix does
The fuel pump will be replaced at no cost to you at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump may shut down unexpectedly, causing a loss of engine power while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The dashboard may not be securely attached, which could cause the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected dashboard section at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weld connecting the thrust arm to the rear axle carrier may be faulty, allowing the thrust arm to break and separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the weld and replace the rear axle carrier if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hand detection system in the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC may fail to sense when your hands leave the steering wheel due to a software error.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the hand detection control unit software at no cost to restore proper hand-off detection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may restrict or disable the emergency call system (eCall), which is used to contact emergency services automatically in a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be delivered wirelessly to your vehicle, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The MBUX infotainment system can activate the television and internet display while the vehicle is driving, which may distract the driver.
What the fix does
MBUSA updated their server to fix the issue remotely for most vehicles. Dealers will install a software update on vehicles that couldn't be updated remotely.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.