2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 5 of 18 complaints (28%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 16 in 2016 to 18 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,000–5,150 | 3,000–5,150 | 3,000–4,850 | 3,500–4,850 | 3,350–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–26 | 15–26 | 16–26 | 16–22 | 16–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–24 / 20–30 | 13–24 / 20–30 | 13–24 / 21–30 | 13–19 / 21–28 | 13–21 / 21–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–585 | 444–585 | 434–553 | 403–574 | 403–574 | |
| Complaints filed | 44 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 15 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 12 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
10 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Visibility & Lighting: 5 of 18 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates it 16–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
EPA estimates $3,000–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (12)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 517 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 445 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 542 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 547 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 552 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 9-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 434 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 9-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 452 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 9-spd | 8 | 4.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 443 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 15 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 490 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 15 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 499 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 553 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 12 | 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) | 229 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (10)
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · Campaign 23V854000 · Dec 18, 2023
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 · Campaign 21V197000 · Mar 22, 2021
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; COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION · Campaign 21V072000 · Feb 16, 2021
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION · Campaign 21V058000 · Feb 8, 2021
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
COMMUNICATION · Campaign 19V787000 · Nov 4, 2019
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 17V816000 · Dec 21, 2017
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLS450, GLE63S 4Matic, GLS63 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65 AMG, S550, Mercedes-Maybach S600, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE63S 4Matic Coupe, 2017-2018 GLS550 4Matic, S550 4Matic, 2018 S450, and S63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear passenger door on the driver side may indicate that it is locked, when it may not be. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Consequence: If the door appears to be locked, the door may be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 17V714000 · Nov 16, 2017
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300, S65 AMG Coupe, S550, S65 AMG Cabriolet, S550 Cabriolet, S550e, S65 AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach S600 vehicles. A transistor within the power steering control unit may overheat resulting in the power steering system being disabled.
Consequence: If the power steering assist is unexpectedly disabled, it may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering rack, replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · Campaign 17V251000 · Apr 14, 2017
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 C300, C300 4Matic, C300 Coupe, C300 Coupe 4Matic, C43 AMG, C43 AMG Coupe, C43 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, C63S Cabrio, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, GLC43 AMG, S550, S550 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic, and Mercedes-Maybach S600 vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat seatbelt pretensioners that may not function properly in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belts, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
SEAT BELTS · Campaign 16V829000 · Nov 16, 2016
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 · Campaign 16V760000 · Oct 20, 2016
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.