Mercedes Benz S Class vs Lexus IS
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Mercedes Benz S Class | Lexus IS |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 338 | 815 |
| Model years covered | 1994–2012 | 1999–2026 |
| Worst model year | 2000 | 2006 |
| Best model year | 1994 | 2015 |
| Crashes reported | 9 | 68 |
| Fires reported | 9 | 9 |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 38 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 |
| Most complained-about part | Electrical System | Body & Structure |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 8.3% | 14.2% |
Mercedes Benz S Class by year
What breaks
Electrical System
118
34.9%
Suspension
67
19.8%
Lights
33
9.8%
Airbags
19
5.6%
Engine & Cooling
15
4.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
12
3.6%
Tires
11
3.3%
Equipment & Accessories
11
3.3%
Lexus IS by year
What breaks
Body & Structure
148
18.2%
Other & Unspecified
116
14.2%
Airbags
115
14.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
95
11.7%
Engine & Cooling
78
9.6%
Electrical System
45
5.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
37
4.5%
Steering
34
4.2%