Maybach is a German carmaker founded in 1909, now part of Mercedes-Benz Group. 19 models are tracked here (2003–2026). Reliable? yes, and comfortably so — 4.5 out of 5 across 19 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes Maybach
Mercedes-Maybach is the ultra-luxury sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, headquartered alongside its parent in Stuttgart. The Maybach name traces to 1909, when Wilhelm Maybach (former chief engineer of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft) and his son Karl founded Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH to produce Zeppelin airship engines and later luxury automobiles. Original Maybach automobile production ran from 1921 to 1941. DaimlerChrysler revived the standalone Maybach brand from 2002 to 2013, then dissolved it; the Maybach name returned in 2014 as the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class trim variant. Mercedes-Maybach now offers ultra-luxury variants of the S-Class sedan, GLS SUV and EQS sedan, with stretched wheelbases, additional sound insulation, executive-rear-seat configurations and exclusive interior materials. The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 is the flagship V12-powered variant, and the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is the brand's first electric model. Annual production runs approximately 25,000-30,000 vehicles globally, with strong sales in China, the Middle East and the United States. Mercedes-Maybach's parent Mercedes-Benz Group AG trades on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as MBG. Recall data for every Mercedes-Maybach VIN is reported to NHTSA. ForCar.org decodes any Mercedes-Maybach VIN to surface trim, factory options, open recalls and original delivery price.
Wilhelm Maybach worked alongside Gottlieb Daimler from 1869 onward and was Daimler's chief engineer. He founded Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH with his son Karl in 1909 to manufacture engines for Zeppelin airships. After WWI the company shifted to luxury automobiles; the 1921 W3 was the first Maybach car. Production ended in 1941 due to wartime priorities. DaimlerChrysler revived the Maybach brand in 2002 with the Maybach 57 and 62, but commercial failure ended the standalone brand in 2013. The 2014 relaunch as a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class variant has been more successful.
| Maybach | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1909 |
| Founded by | Wilhelm Maybach, Karl Maybach |
| Headquarters | Stuttgart, Germany |
| Owned by | Mercedes-Benz Group |
| Slogan | «A higher state of being» |
| Models tracked here | 4 (2003–2026) |
Technology it is known for: Electric Door Closers, Active Body Control suspension, Maybach Driving Programme, First-Class executive-rear seating, V12 6.0L biturbo (S 680).
This page covers Mercedes-Maybach, the ultra-luxury sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz — not the standalone Maybach (defunct 1941, briefly revived 2002-2013) or Wilhelm Maybach personally.
All Maybach models 19
Every Maybach model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
Maybach Cars & sedans 4
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maybach 62 | 2003–2026 | — | — | 13 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach 57 | 2003–2026 | — | — | 13 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach 62S | — | — | — | 12 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach Landaulet | — | — | — | 12 mpg | 4.5/5 |
Maybach More models 15
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maybach GLS600 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach S680 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach S Class | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach Exelero | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach S580 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach Benz | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach Sprinter | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach Eqs | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach G Class | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach SL | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach W222 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach S550 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach V12 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach S650 | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Maybach Metris | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
Maybach by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | Maybach | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 13 mpg best | Leader: 62 |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
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Get a Maybach window sticker by VIN
Recreate any Maybach's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
Maybach window stickers →How to read a Maybach VIN
Every Maybach built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Maybach and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. See exactly what your VIN decodes to: model year, assembly plant, country of origin and the full 2001–2026 year-code table.
Who owns Maybach, and what you get
Maybach belongs to Mercedes-Benz Group. Mercedes-Maybach competes at the apex of the ultra-luxury sedan and SUV segments against Rolls-Royce Phantom and Cullinan, Bentley Mulsanne (discontinued) and Bentayga, and the Genesis G90 (lower-priced). Maybach prices typically run 60-100% above the equivalent base Mercedes-Benz S-Class or GLS, and the brand serves as Mercedes-Benz's answer to BMW Group's Rolls-Royce ownership.
| Maybach | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Ownership | Mercedes-Benz Group |
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when Maybach models actually start to break →
Maybach — frequently asked
Is Maybach german?
Maybach is a German company, headquartered in Stuttgart and founded in 1909.
Who owns Maybach?
Maybach is part of Mercedes-Benz Group.
How many Maybach models are there?
We track 19 Maybach models spanning 2003–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the Maybach warranty?
New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is Maybach reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Maybach model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.