The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches is the largest identified problem area: 3 of 17 complaints (18%) mention it. 7 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed fell from 45 in 2015 to 17 in 2016.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 17
- Recall campaigns
- 7
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,000–$5,150
- Combined MPG
- 15–26
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,850–4,300 | 3,000–5,150 | 3,000–5,150 | 3,000–4,850 | 3,500–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 15–26 | 15–26 | 16–26 | 16–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–17 / 23–26 | 13–24 / 20–30 | 13–24 / 20–30 | 13–24 / 21–30 | 13–19 / 21–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–499 | 444–585 | 444–585 | 434–553 | 403–574 | |
| Complaints filed | 25 | 45 | 17 | 18 | 26 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 14 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates it 15–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
EPA estimates $3,000–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,050 | 465 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 17 mpg | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,850 | 444 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 15 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 499 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg | 26 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,050 | 462 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 15 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 490 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 585 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 14 mpg | 21 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 547 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 581 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Large Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $3,000 (low) | 227 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
- Consequence
- A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
- Consequence
- The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
COMMUNICATION
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
- Consequence
- An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.
- Consequence
- If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
SEAT BELTS
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S63 AMG Coupe, S65 AMG Coupe, S550 Coupe 4Matic, S63 AMG 4Matic Convertible, and S550 Convertible vehicles manufactured June 29, 2015, to March 15, 2016. The seat belt extenders on the affected vehicles may not retract as intended and may potentially break the event of a crash.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash, if the seat belt extender does not retract and/or the extender breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S550 Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S65 AMG Coupe and S63 AMG Convertible 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to February 4, 2016. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 S63 AMG sedans and 2015-2016 S63 AMG 4Matic sedans and coupes manufactured May 14, 2013, to September 18, 2015. In the affected vehicles, due to a software error within the engine control unit, the vehicle may stall when coasting to a stop, such as at a traffic light.
- Consequence
- The vehicle stall may be interpreted by the driver to be a planned shut-down as part of the ECO-Start-function. However, the engine will not restart automatically after releasing the brake pedal, immobilizing the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON DECEMBER 2, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz's number for this recall is 2015100003.