2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 complaints

My driver side Rear seat underneath is leaking gasoline. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V557000

May 08, 2024

I bought a 2011 MB S400 last year. Everything was good till 3 months ago. I smelled a very bad gas leak one day and it gets worse after I fuel my thank. Nobody wants to seat my car after I buy a gas. I realized there is a gas on my driveway under my passenger seat. When I googled it, there is a recall for MB W221 for 2011 models because of the Fuel Filter parts problem. It's not designed for the heat. Somehow, some 2011 s are not part of this recall, and MB doesn't stand on their car even have the same problem. I removed the back seat and everywhere was gasoline because of the crooked fuel filter part. Protective layer was in so many pieces because of the heat. When I wrote the MB, they refused the replace the part, they didn't accept their safety problem that happened for 2011 MB W221 S class. Currently, I wait their respond. It is so sad, they refuse to replace 100$ part in part of recall. Be careful if you buy a MB, it is not designed for the heat, and MB refuses to replace the problematic fuel filter. Currently, I wait the day to replace the part, or I will be in fire because I drive with a gasoline leak every day. Look at the picture, it is a Mercedes Benz S Class with leaking because of the bad fuel filter design !

Jun 01, 2023

I am filing a complaint with your agency regarding a fuel pump malfunction with my 2011 Mercedes S550 (VIN# [XXX]), because I feel that the incident below is a major safety concern and is similarly situated to the following NHTSA Campaign #12V557000. On March 15, 2022, I was pumping gas into my vehicle at Costco in Brookhaven, Georgia. The gas attendant and I were chatting about gas prices and so forth. In 10-to-15 minutes Costco's members that were getting gas, were attempting to alert us that an ocean ($88.00) of fuel was rapidly spewing out the opposite side (driver side) of the vehicle's fuel tank. On March 16, 2022, I had the vehicle towed to RBM of Atlanta in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Later that afternoon, [XXX], the service advisor advised me that the vehicle's fuel tank will need to be replace. I agreed to the repair. However, I asked the advisor to send me photos of the malfunctioned part, as well as, an itemized Repair invoice. I have yet to receive either. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Mar 18, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S63. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. PENSKE MERCEDES-BENZ OF WEST COVINA (2010 E GARVEY AVE S, WEST COVINA, CA 91791, (866) 240-5730) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,922.

Nov 21, 2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal gasoline odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter flange was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Aug 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, he smelled a strong gasoline odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V557000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 68,300.

Jun 06, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S400. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FLASHING INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL RELATED TO THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING. A SECOND UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ ARLINGTON, 4201 BELTWAY PL, ARLINGTON, TX 76018, 817-807-4800) DIAGNOSED THAT OIL LEAKED INTO A MODULE AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Nov 28, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S63. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF UPDATED 08/17/2017*JS

Dec 29, 2016

Fire: 1

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

SHIFTING LEVER IS UP FOR REVERSE, CENTER FOR PARK, DOWN FOR FORWARD. ALL OTHER TRANSMISSIONS YOU PUSH UP FOR PARK. AFTER DRIVING ALL OTHER CARS, EVEN PRIOR MERCEDES IF YOU EXIT THE CAR YOU PUSH THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO UP FOR PARK EVEN WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING YOU PUSH THE LEVER UP FOR PARK. THIS BECOMES A HABIT, A REFLEXIVE ACTION BUT IF YOU DO THIS IN THIS MERCEDES YOU GO INTO REVERSE. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IS I STARTED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AND FORGOT SOMETHING SO I HOPPED OUT WHILE REACHING FOR THE SHIFT LEVER AND PUSHED UP FOR PARK, BUT IT WASN'T PARK, IT WAS REVERSE AND MY CAR STARTED BACKWARD WITH ME ONLY PARTIALLY IN THE CAR. I BARELY MADE IT BACK IN BEFORE I WIPED OUT MY DRIVERS DOOR ON THE GARAGE WALL AS THE CAR EXITED THE GARAGE. I CAME WITHIN A WHISPER OF GETTING SMASHED BETWEEN THE CAR DOOR AND THE GARAGE. DAMAGE, ABOUT $7,000 BUT I AVOIDED GETTING KILLED. NOW, YOU MAY SAY THAT IT IS MY FAULT FOR NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY BUT WHY WOULD MERCEDES GO AWAY FROM WHAT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS? MUCH OF DRIVING IS DOING WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED TO DO, MUCH OF IT IS REFLEXIVE AND THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN DESIGN FOR SAFETY. I WROTE TO MERCEDES ABOUT THIS AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ASKED THEM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY REPAIR BUT I DON'T EXPECT THEY WILL COMPLY.

Jun 29, 2017

Crash: 1

I HAVE 20 INCH WHEELS ON THE CAR AND IN THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD THREE WHEELS CRACK. TO DATE NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BUT I AM AFRAID OF A CATASTROPHIC WHEEL FAILURE AT 75 MILES PER HOUR

May 09, 2015

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact noticed that the air suspension had collapsed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,879.

Apr 29, 2025

ENGINE,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE HYBRID BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA (4400 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614, (813)543-8419) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER ELECTRONIC MODULE FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Mar 25, 2021

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

IABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. IT HAD A WARNING MESSAGE 'SERVICES REQUIRED. DO NOT SHIFT THE GEAR'. WE TOWED OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE BACKSEAT FLOOD HAD STANDING WATER! THIS CAUSED THE ELECTRONIC SHORTAGE. WE PAID OVER $2000 TO MAKE THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. IT LOOKS THAT THE RAIN GOT IN THROUGH DRIVER SIDE BACK WINDOW BECAUSE OF THE SEALING PROBLEMS. IT RAINED LAST NIGHT. I JUST LOOKED AT MY CAR. THE BACK FLOOR LIKES RIVER AGAIN. I AM UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN. NOW WE FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE RAIN WILL GET INTO THE CAR TO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS. WE ARE AFRAID THAT WE MAY BE TRAPPED IN A FLOOD IF WE DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN' WE CONTACTED THE DEALER LAST MONTH TO ASK THEM TO RECALL THIS CAR AND FIND THE REASON FOR THIS LEAKING. THEY TOLD US TO PAY ALL THE COSTS. WE DID NOT ACCEPT BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT! WE ARE SEEKING YOUR HELP TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS LEAKING MAY CAUSE MANY ELECTRIC PROBLEMS THAT HAS MAKE THIS CAR UNABLE TO DRIVE. I ATTACHED THE EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE DEALER IN CASE THAT YOU MAY NEED THEM. THANK YOU AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU SOON!

Sep 23, 2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

HYDRAULIC HOSE FAILED AND SPRAYED FLUID INSIDE HOOD AND ENGINE. ABC MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON THEN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES CAR STOP. SMOKE AND FUMES CAUSING DIFFICULTY BREATHING AND EYE IRRITATION. COST OVER $1600.00 ON CAR HAVING ONLY 60,000 MILES. 60,000 MAINTENANCE DONE LESS THAN 1 MONTH PRIOR. ADDITIONAL DAMAGED TO TIRES AS SUSPENSION DROPPED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER.

Jan 07, 2019

SUSPENSION,WHEELS

1 complaint

'TAKATA RECALL' MY AIR SUSPENSION WONT MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIR TO KEEP THE AIR SUSPENSION INITS PROPER PLACEWHEN PARKED. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS IS VERY ERATIC AND DONT DISPLAY TIRE PRESSURE LIKE ITS SUPPOSE TOO WHILE DRIVNG LOCALLY AND ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR ONLY HAVE 65000 MILES ON IT AND I DIDNT EXPECT THESE PROBLEMS FROM A 2011 MERCEDES WITH LOW MILES.

Sep 13, 2018

ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS LEADING TO THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HOUSE OF IMPORTS (6862 AUTO CENTER DR, BUENA PARK, CA 90621, (714) 627-5553) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OVER A MONTH AGO WHERE IT WAS STILL AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE MANGER WAS ASSIGNED. THE CONTACT SENT PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND FAILED PARTS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

Aug 22, 2018

Fire: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S400. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA (4400 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TSB NUMBER: 10050865 (ELECTRICAL AND AIR CONDITIONING), BUT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED PER THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Apr 20, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 110 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GPS PROVIDED INCORRECT INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Oct 07, 2016

4.9/5.0

28 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class have?

The 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class currently has 18 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.