Reliability
Mercedes-Benz

S-Class (W221)

2007-2013 · Full-Size Sedan · 5 engines
176 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
9 Fire Reports
7 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
S-CLASSS-CLASS HYBRID
View all 4 generations of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.3 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 85 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 150.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall85 complaints against about 150 for similar vehicles
8.3
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced13 complaints against about 25 for similar vehicles
8.4
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20078.1
  • 20088.8
  • 20098.7
  • 20108.2
  • 20118.0
  • 20127.8
  • 20138.9

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Unidentified Engine

26 complaints 4.3 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
6
engine
5
wheels tires
4
electrical
4
other
3

3.5-V6-Hybrid

3.5L 6-cyl
20 complaints 5.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
12
engine
6
fuel system
4
suspension
2
transmission
2
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

5.5-V12-Gas

5.5L 12-cyl
5 complaints 5.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
3
other
1
engine
1
interior
1

6.0-V12-Gas

6.0L 12-cyl
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

3.0-V6-PHEV

3.0L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Electric
View details

1.0-I3-Gas

1.0L 3-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 40 owner complaints
Engine: 35 owner complaints
Fuel System: 33 owner complaints
Transmission: 26 owner complaints
Suspension: 25 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

On a used 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (40), the engine (35) and the fuel system (33). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class about the electrical system.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class about the engine, all engines combined.
  3. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  4. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  5. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class about the suspension.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Recalls (3)

12V557000Dec 3, 2012serious
Fuel System

Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.

11V493000Oct 3, 2011serious
Tires

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S550, S550 CGI, S63, S600 Bi-Turbo, S65 AMG, S550 4-Matic, and S550 CGI 4-Matic and S400 Hybrid vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2011, through July 30, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)." The tire pressure monitoring system indicators may only illuminate for a portion of the time required by the standard and under certain conditions may not re-illuminate immediately after the vehicle is restarted as required.

08V405000Aug 14, 2008serious
Suspension

MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 4,564 MY 2001-2006 CL-CLASS (MODEL 215), MY 2002-2006 S-CLASS (MODEL 220), MY 2003-2007 SL-CLASS (MODEL 230), MY 2007-2008 CL-CLASS (MODEL 216), AND MY 2007 S-CLASS (MODEL 221)PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ACCELERATION SENSORS ON THE FRONT STRUTS. THESE SENSORS MEASURE ACCELERATION AROUND THE Z-AXIS OF THE VEHICLE AND ASSURE AN AUTOMATIC ADAPTATION OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO MAINTAIN A RELATIVELY LEVEL BODY POSITION. VARIATIONS IN THE SOLDERING PROCESS RESULTED IN SOLDERING POINTS ON THE BOARD OF THE ABC SENSORS WHICH MAY NOT BE WITHIN DESIGN TOLERANCES. SIGNALS FROM THE AFFECTED SENSORS MEASURING THE ACCELERATION MAY NOT BE ACCURATELY TRANSMITTED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class complaints?

Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the fuel system.

Is the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?

NHTSA has 176 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the fuel system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the S-Class have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 176 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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