Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Structure recall
Disabled safety features, including seat belt tightening and seat adjustments, can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the bulkhead front wall sealing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023040009.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Body & glass recall
A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front fixed glass panel, free of charge. The owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2023. The owner may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023020008.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022080002.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Steering recall
Disabled safety features or the inability to shift gears can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall the cover for the electrical connector, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040006.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Steering recall
Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Exterior lighting recall
Disabled rear turn signals, hazard lights, and reverse lights can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other driver's, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rear signal software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040013.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
Unintentional or improper deployment of air bags and/or seat belts can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the air bag control unit fastening nuts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-637-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022030024.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
Driver distraction can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has updated their computer server to correct the issue for most vehicles, free of charge. For vehicles that were not able to be updated remotely, dealers will provide the software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 25, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021100010. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the fuel tank including the suction jet pump, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
5
Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11543386 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
4
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V365000 (Electrical System, Communication) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not available. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was idling, several warning lights and computer screen intermittently illuminated and malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a system software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11489741 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed to function as needed while the brake pedal was being depressed. The failure resulted in a crash. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the accident occurred due to the failure in the braking system as well as the intelligent driving feature. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently shutoff and restarted without driving input. The brake assist feature did not engage because the driver was already actively depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was test-driven for two miles however, the contact was yet to receive any information on a possible cause for the failure. The contact was concerned that it was only a matter of time before an even more serious accident would occur. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact requested to be provided the diagnostic report, the Event Data Recorder (EDR) info, and the front camera info. The contact was informed that if she provided any videos or subsequent pictures prior to the crash, she would be provided the information that she requested. The contact later received a letter stating that she would not be provided the information requested. The contact was provided with no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,194.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11444036 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
3
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
I have had one tire blow out after traveling over a moderate pot hole, and 3 other tires that have been damaged with "bubbles" due to excessive stress from normal driving. In addition to the damaged tires, I have had 3 bent wheels all due to normal driving because the 21 inch wheels/tires on this vehicle cannot tolerate the loads during normal driving. This is a well-known defect by Mercedes and I believe it is a design defect and that it is dangerous.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11526539 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
2021 MERCEDES BENZ S580. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO OBSTRUCTED VIEW THRU FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHEILD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11431500 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
2
Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Camera System Unavailable" and "Camera Dirty" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was caused by a bumper guard placed on the front license plate, rendering the driving assist sensor inoperable. Despite the removal of the bumper guard, the failure persisted. Recently, the contact received text from the dealer that stated that several other owners of the model year vehicle had experienced the same failure. The letter stated that a defective camera lens hood had caused the failure; however, the parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11586092 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 16 complaints on file, more than the 2022 (10). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.