The most-reported S-Class run is WDBNG70J72A (2002 builds) with 9 complaints, 5.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 31% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 2.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 87 recall campaigns for S-Class model years 1996–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 379 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every S-Class complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDBNG70J72A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70J02A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70JX2A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDDNG71X67A•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70J52A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70J92A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDDNG71X27A•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70J22A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70JX3A•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70J62A•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| WDBNG70J42A•••••• | 2002 | — | 1 | |
| WDBNG75J42A•••••• | 2002 | — | — |
Each of the other 367 S-Class runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 211 S-Class VINs so far, most often 2015, 2022, 2018 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz S-Class the gap between build years is 2.7×: a 2007 car draws 2.7 complaints per run, a 2011 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2023 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 20 | 15 | — | |
| 2021 | 16 | 9 | — | |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2019 | 11 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 17 | 11 | — | |
| 2017 | 17 | 14 | — | |
| 2016 | 28 | 19 | — | |
| 2015 | 45 | 27 | 5 | |
| 2014 | 22 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 9 | 8 | — | |
| 2012 | 13 | 12 | — | |
| 2011 | 16 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 30 | 19 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 10 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 17 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 56 | 21 | — | |
| 2006 | 24 | 18 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 26 | 21 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2007 at 2.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2011 at 1. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 31% of everything Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners report: Electrical System, 160 of 598 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 15 | |
| Suspension | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 2 | |
| Engine | — | 9 | |
| Power Train | 1 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 87 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2000 to 2021. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 21V197000 | Structure:body:roof And Pillars | 2014–2020 |
| 23V854000 | Structure:body:roof And Pillars | 2014–2020 |
| 08V405000 | Suspension | 2002–2007 |
| 21V058000 | Electrical System:software | 2017–2021 |
| 06V028000 | Interior Lighting | 2000–2005 |
| 07V263000 | Suspension | 2000–2004 |
21V197000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2014: 7 years on the road before the recall.
The S-Class against its rivals
The S-Class draws 1.6 complaints per production run; the Dodge Charger 4.6, the Porsche Panamera 1.4 and the Genesis G90 1.3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 598 | 379 | 4.3% | |
| Dodge Charger | 5,214 | 1,143 | 4.3% | |
| Porsche Panamera | 103 | 75 | 4.9% | |
| Genesis G90 | 66 | 51 | 10.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 598 reports on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, 4.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 598 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 26 (4.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 23 (3.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class share of that is 598 complaints over 379 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 598 NHTSA complaints from 379 S-Class runs and 87 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which S-Class production run has the most complaints?
WDBNG70J72A, a 2002 build, with 9 complaints. The typical S-Class run has 1.6.
Which S-Class years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 2.7 complaints per run and 2011 lightest at 1.
Does the S-Class get more complaints than the Dodge Charger?
No: 1.6 complaints per production run for the S-Class against 4.6 for the Dodge Charger.
How many S-Class complaints involve a crash?
4.3% of 598 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 23 involved a fire.
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