Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reliable?

20072026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.

79/100
Good

Reliability Score

49
Total Recalls
81
Owner Complaints
10
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Own a Mercedes-Benz S-Class? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reliability by Year

Model YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliability ScoreRating
2026Not enough data
202510
84
Excellent
202421
92
Excellent
20236103
75
Good
20228344
64
Fair
202116203
69
Good
202045
86
Excellent
201966
81
Excellent
201865
82
Excellent
2017Not enough data

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the S-Class Compares to Similar Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz S-Class79/100
Luxury Category Average70/100

The S-Class scores 9 points above the average luxury — a strong result.

Known Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
SERVICE BRAKES
8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
5
TIRES
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4

Based on 81 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?+

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 79/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 49 recall campaigns and 81 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year S-Class is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2024 S-Class achieved the highest reliability score of 92/100 with 2 recalls and 1 complaints.

How many miles does a S-Class last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used S-Class will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Mercedes-Benz S-Class Research

Check a Specific Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

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