Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
320.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 39,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
213.3%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Brakes
213.3%
Median failure at 13,800 miles
Steering
213.3%
Median failure at 3,800 miles
Electrical System
213.3%
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Wheels
16.7%
Median failure at 38,560 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.7%
Median failure at 21,436 miles
Suspension
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
228.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
342.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
228.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2019peak 3Oct 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 Mercedes Benz S560
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE21001Opened 8 Jan 2021Closed 14 Oct 2021STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradati...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 39,000 milesFairfield, NJFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ S560. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ALERTED BY SOMEONE THAT THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS TO A MINUTE, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE WERE DESTROYED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALDWELL (1220 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, (973) 227-3600) TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. *LN*JB
NHTSA complaint #11278598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ocala, FL
SUSPENSION
The Smell of fuel is present inside the vehicle around 50 percent of the time. When parked in the garage the vehicle emits an extremely strong fuel smell as if it has leaked fuel with no visible spills or leaks. While driving the smell of fuel is present almost always.
NHTSA complaint #11490899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The Smell of fuel is present inside the vehicle around 50 percent of the time. When parked in the garage the vehicle emits an extremely strong fuel smell as if it has leaked fuel with no visible spills or leaks. While driving the smell of fuel is present almost always.
NHTSA complaint #11490899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelby Charter Twp, MI
ENGINE
Walk Home Condition -I purchased a 2018 CPO Mercedes-Benz S560 on 8/20/21 from Knauz Continental Autos in Lake Bluff, IL. On 9/25/2, at approx noon, I was driving the vehicle and the engine light came on, the throttle/engine felt sluggish and not responsive. The engine felt very out of balance shaking the entire care when the gas pedal was pressed. 5 mins later in heavy traffic, I stopped at a light, the engine started violently shaking and stalled. I shut the car off and tried to start it over a 5 min period. I was able to limp the vehicle to a local Mercedes dealership (Bloomfield, MI). Could only operate the vehicle below 25 MPH without violently shaking. The dealership was only 1 mile away. That dealership was able to quickly check codes. When I arrived the engine light went out and no codes where set. The assistant Service Manager told me that it looked like cylinder 4 was misfiring, but no code set. He told me that if it happens again, shut the car off and it should reset. I left the dealership around 1pm and continued driving. The issue had stopped. Approx 5 hours later, after driving for 3 hours, the same issue happened again about 5 miles from my home. The vehicle stalled multiple times and I finally got it running and limped the vehicle home at 20-25 MPH. The engine fault light stayed on this time. I let the vehicle sit in my garage on 9/26/21 as I was afraid to drive it anywhere. On 9/27/21 I drove the vehicle to the dealership close to my house. (Rochester Hills, MI) When I submitted the vehicle I was told that because I didn't have an appointment, they weren't sure if they could look at it that day. Service Rep called and said that the vehicle set a code (P030485). They said it would probably go away so I picked it up. Same issue occurred on 9/29/21 after driving for 25 mins. Had to limp the vehicle home again at 20 MPH. I turned the vehicle back into the same dealer on 9/30/21. I have zero visibility on a fix and next steps.
NHTSA complaint #11435904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelham, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11426613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelham, NY
COMMUNICATION
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11426613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelham Manor, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recall # 21V058 The above Safety recall has not been cleared via dealer. (Two visits). I mentioned to dealer and they claim that it gets resolved "over the air". If so, then why hasn't it been resolved.
NHTSA complaint #11420617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesPelham Manor, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FRONT ROTORS SEEM TO RETAIN BRAKE DUST JUST ON THE INSIDES OF THE ROTORS. THE OUTSIDES ARE VERY CLEAN AND SHINY BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROTOR (INTERIOR) BECOMES VERY COARSE CAUSING VIBRATIONS IN STEERING. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE INTERIOR IS PROTECTED BY THE BRAKE SHIELD WHICH MUST BE CAUSING HEAT NOT TO BE DISSIPATED THEREBY FOSTERING BRAKE DUST TO AMASS. SUCH VIBRATIONS WILL ALARM DRIVERS TO PANIC AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11405399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesPelham Manor, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN THE CAR IS LIFTED IN THE FRONT (TO CHANGE BOTH TIRES) THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHEN WALKING AROUND THE BACK. THE TANK WAS 50%FULL AND THIS OCCURS WHENEVER THE CAR IS LIFTED IN THE FRONT.
NHTSA complaint #11405395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,560 milesRoseville, CA
WHEELS
ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 8TH, MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I STARTED IT. I RECEIVED A LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING FROM THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. I ADDED AIR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN ON MARCH 13TH TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AMERICAS TIRES FOR REPAIR. THE SHOP TOLD ME THE TIRE WAS FINE, THE RIM HAD DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES BENZ AND WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE RIM, THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT, BUT THAT I MUST HAVE DAMAGED THE RIM AND ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I CAN FIND MANY CASES OF THIS ON LINE, AND THE SHOP TOLD ME "THIS IS COMMON WITH MERCEDES".
NHTSA complaint #11405073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,600 milesBarrington, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT RATED SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH AND TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. NO BRAKE RESPONSE AND BARELY MISSED WRAPPING THE CAR TO THE POWER LINE LOCATED ON ROUTE 62 AND BATEMAN ROAD IN BARRINGTON IL 60010
NHTSA complaint #11350886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa ANA, CA
ENGINE
2018 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REWORK ENGINE OIL PLUGS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11349483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesFairfield, NJFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ S560. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ALERTED BY SOMEONE THAT THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS TO A MINUTE, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE WERE DESTROYED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALDWELL (1220 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, (973) 227-3600) TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. *LN*JB
NHTSA complaint #11278598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,436 milesCanonsburg, PA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT DROVE A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ S560 COMPANY VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, A SMALL ROCK STRUCK AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED EACH TIME AT JOHN SISSON MOTORS MERCEDES-BENZ (480 WASHINGTON RD, WASHINGTON, PA 15301, (724) 367-4013). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190703000028. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,436.
NHTSA complaint #11254623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dunmore, PA
STEERING
2018 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA RECALL 18V-910. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11229256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesNorth Hills, CA
STEERING
THERE ARE 2 ACTIVE RECALLS SINCE PAST 4 MONTHS AND THERE IS NO REMEDY YET. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET.
NHTSA complaint #11204316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.