Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reliable?
2007–2026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Mercedes-Benz S-Class? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 80 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 86 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 10 | 3 | — | 86 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 2 | 36 | 4 | — | 83 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 7 | 21 | 3 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2020 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 91 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 6 | 7 | — | — | 71 | Good |
| 2018 | 3 | 7 | — | — | 88 | Excellent |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the S-Class Compares to Similar Vehicles
The S-Class scores 12 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:
Based on 92 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?+
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 82/100 on our reliability index — rated "Excellent." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 23 recall campaigns and 92 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year S-Class is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2020 S-Class achieved the highest reliability score of 91/100 with 2 recalls and 6 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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