Mercedes-Benz S Class Recalls

The Mercedes-Benz S Class has 30 recalls spanning 1995 through 2022, with the most serious being a fire risk on 2000 models where the Active Body Control hydraulic fluid can leak near the catalytic converter, and a separate under-dash fire risk from a failing climate control blower motor regulator on the same year.

The 2021 and 2022 model years carry several safety-critical issues. On 2021 vehicles, the airbag control unit may not be properly secured, which can cause airbags and seatbelt pretensioners to fire without a crash or fail to deploy in one. A separate 2021 issue involves the passenger seat sensor software incorrectly turning off the front passenger airbag even when an adult is seated. The 2021 firewall may also be improperly sealed, allowing water intrusion that can short out electrical components and disable the Pre-Safe crash preparation system. The in-tank fuel pump nozzle on 2021 models can detach and cause the engine to stall without warning while driving. The 2022 model year has a software fault that can prevent the emergency call system from connecting after a crash or when the SOS button is pressed, a problem that also affects certain 2021 vehicles.

The 2018 and 2019 model years have a cluster of issues. On 2019 vehicles, the A-, B-, and C-pillar interior covers may not be properly installed, and in a crash where side curtain airbags deploy, the covers can block the airbags from opening correctly and become projectiles inside the cabin. On 2018 S 560 and Maybach S 560 models, oil port plugs can fail and allow the engine to lose oil, eventually causing sudden engine failure. A timing chain bolt on 2018 S560 4Matic models can loosen, causing the chain to skip and the engine to stall. The 2018 driveshaft may wear prematurely and break at the universal joint, cutting power to the wheels. Loose power bar nuts inside the trunk pre-fuse box on 2018 vehicles can create electrical resistance and raise the risk of fire. The lane keeping assist system on 2018 models can fail to steer the vehicle back into its lane at highway speeds, and the hands-off detection feature on 2018 S-Class, AMG S 63, and Maybach S 560 models may not recognize when the driver has removed their hands from the wheel.

Going back to the mid-2010s, the 2017 model has a power steering control unit bracket that can crack from vibration, disabling steering assist and making the wheel significantly harder to turn. A 2017 driver-side door lock can show as locked when it is not. On 2016 vehicles, front seat seatbelt extenders may not retract properly, and low-beam headlamps may be misaimed. The 2014 AMG S63 can stall due to an engine control software fault causing erratic idle, and front seat seatbelt anchor fittings on 2014 models can release under load in a crash.

The 2011 model has a fuel filter flange that can crack and leak fuel, and the 2009 model had front and rear passenger-side door latches installed in the wrong positions during assembly. The 2008 model has a faulty signal acquisition module that can interrupt power to the wipers, headlamps, turn signals, and steering wheel adjustment. The 2007 model has a front strut with a potentially defective