WDDUG6EB8LA5078562020 MERCEDES-BENZ S-ClassS 450-4M
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class
2020 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
7 owner complaints filed — top areas: Other (43%), Visibility (29%), Engine/Powertrain (14%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- MERCEDES-BENZ
- Model
- S-Class
- Year
- 2020
- Trim / Series
- S 450-4M
- Body Style
- Sedan/Saloon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.0L 362 hp
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- MERCEDES-BENZ CARS
- Assembly
- SINDELFINGEN, GERMANY
- GVWR
- Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: SINDELFINGEN, GERMANY
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEARComplaint Intelligence
7 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME7 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
While driving down the road I heard a loud explosion that sounded like a gunshot hit my read window. This caused me to jerk the car and almost hit the driving car next to me. I pulled over and realized that my sunroof had suddenly exploded and shattered onto the shade located in the ceiling.
The fuel pump My car stopped on the highway [XXX] on [XXX] with my children in the car with no warning at all. I was so lucky nobody hit us and it took 20 minutes of trying to start it to get off of the highway to a gas station where it cut off again The dealer said it is a known problem however my vin number was included despite the fact that they know that the 2020 mercedes benz s450 has an issue that should be recalled due to the severity of the situation and safety of the public. Warning lights did not come on until the car totally stopped. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz S 560. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the warning light was cleared; however, the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pump and an unknown wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 29,100.
Had windshield breakage and replacement on 14 December 2023. On 29 January 2024, had an apparent windshield strike (pinhead size) and windshield cracked from middle to top. Within 20 minutes crack had spread all across the top of windshield. While parked crack spread down and completely across the bottom of windshield in about 30 minutes. Vehicle is now in Mercedes dealership for windshield service once again. I have been driving for 60+ years and never saw this massive of a windshield crack caused by a pinhead size strike. My belief is that either it was bad glass or installation. I have read numerous complaints regarding Mercedes glass and am concerned whether I can safely operate this vehicle. Would appreciate you looking into this issue.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound and shards of glass started entering the vehicle from the sunroof. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified in writing and he received a call back and was informed that no assistance would be offered. The failure mileage was 38,193.
INTERMITTENT (AT LEAST A HALF DOZEN TIMES SINCE FEB 2020 PURCHASE) UNINTENDED INCREASE IN SPEED BY AS MUCH AS 35 MPH; TAKEN TO SELLING DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETECT A PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE MALFUNCTION. *TR
AUTOMATIC DRIVE SHUTS OFF WHEN YOU BRAKE. HOWEVER, IN A ROLLING STOP AND BRAKE, IT DOES NOT RESTART IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE OUT OF THE STOP. IT IS INCONSISTENT, BUT SERVICE TEAM AT LOCAL DEALER HAVE RECREATED THE SITUATION. THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO AUTO RESTART AND THE FUNCTION CANNOT BE DISABLED.
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 7 NHTSA complaints on file for the MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class — a relatively low volume that spans from 2019 to 2026.
The amber reliability line averaged 95/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 88/100 in 2024.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $36,334 (~$606/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for WDDUG6EB8LA507856. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Market & Background Signals
Theft risk, fleet history, dealer patterns, and emissions compliance
MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class has an elevated theft rate (3.0× average). Factor in higher comprehensive insurance costs.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | WDDUG6EB8LA507856 |
| Model Year | 2020 |
| Make | MERCEDES-BENZ |
| Model | S-Class |
| Trim | S 450-4M |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Automatic |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Horsepower | 362 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | MERCEDES-BENZ CARS |
| Assembly City | SINDELFINGEN |
| Assembly Country | GERMANY |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | WDD |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 8 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | L |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | A |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 507856 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 7 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/17/2026, 1:33:42 PM.