2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Steering (2) · Service Brakes (2)
Safety recalls (10)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles
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 wi
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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: Auto Crash Notification 2021-02-12 · campaign 21V072000 · 67 vehicles
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V058000 · 1,292,258 vehicles
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.
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:software 2020-07-31 · campaign 20V449000 · 56 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible ton
Risk: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080015.
Engine 2020-03-20 · campaign 20V173000 · 9,791 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 S560 and Maybach S560 vehicles equipped with 4.0L 8-cylinder gasoline-engines. Two engine oil plugs may not withstand high engine loads while driving, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak.
Risk: An engine oil leak can spill on to the road and cause slippery road conditions. Additionally, if the engine runs out of oil it can cause an engine stall while driving. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the engine oil plugs by adding a retaining plate, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060018.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V915000 · 75 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 S560 and S450 vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with front brake components (brake discs, calipers, and pads) with different dimensions than specified for the vehicle.
Risk: The incorrect size brake components may lead to the wrong replacement components fitted to the vehicle during brake repairs, possibly affecting braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake system, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030020.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline 2019-11-15 · campaign 19V821000 · 6 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 S560, S560 Cabriolet, and S560 4MATIC vehicles equipped with 8-cylinder gasoline engines. The threaded connection between the camshaft idler gear and the crankcase may be improperly tightened, possibly causing the idler gear to detach from the crankcase.
Risk: A detached idler gear can damage the engine, resulting in a stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020020013.
Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist 2018-12-19 · campaign 18V908000 · 5,754 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 AMG S63 4MATIC coupe, AMG S63 4MATIC sedan, AMG S63 4MATIC Cabriolet, S450 4MATIC sedan, S560 4MATIC coupe, S560 4MATIC sedan, and Maybach S560 4MATIC vehicles. Due to an incorrect steering boot installation, the Active Steering Assist system may remain engaged despite the driver's hands not being on the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Risk: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention may increase the risk of crash.
Fix: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and correct the steering boot installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019040025.
Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist 2018-12-19 · campaign 18V910000 · 6,200 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2018 S450 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC Coupe, S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, Maybach S560 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC, S63 AMG and S63 AMG 4MATIC Cabrio vehicles. The Hands-off-Detection system may malfunction, causing the Active Steering Assist system to remain engaged despite the driver's hands not being on the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Risk: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention may increase the risk of crash.
Fix: Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will update the software of the steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019040024.
Electrical System 2018-06-15 · campaign 18V407000 · 1,701 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S560 and S560 4Matic and Mercedes S450 4Matic, S450, S560, S560 4Matic, and S560 Coupe 4Matic vehicles. The electrical power bars inside the pre-fuse box in the trunk may not have been secured properly.
Risk: If the power bars are not properly secured, it can cause higher electrical resistance increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, an intermittent contact between the power bars could lead to a loss of vehicle functions. The engine operation, the seat belt functions and the instrument cluster could be impaired, increasing the risk of a crash and injuries.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the pre-fuse box, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080001.
Service bulletins (57)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2022-08-11 · SC-2022070004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes-benz ag ("mbag"), the manufacturer of mercedes-benz vehicles, has determined that on certain model year (âmyâ) 2028-2021 s-class, s-class coupe/cabriolet (217 and 222 platforms) vehicles, the low pressure fuel line does not correspond to the current series production configuration. t
Seats 2022-05-26 · LI91.10-P-065540 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint creaking noise from side bolster when load applied to seat cushion of front seats. cause soiling to the replacement fabric of the seat cushion cover means that friction on the seat side finisher mountings generates a creaking noise. remedy 1. clean fabric cover and seat side finisher
Electrical System 2022-03-31 · LI54.10-P-071499 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint the result from the xentry battery test does not match the current state of the battery. cause the xentry battery tester uses the stored on-board electrical system data in the sam module to access the health of the 12 volt battery. the xentry battery test may not take into account a si
Electrical System 2022-01-27 · LI68.05-P-060306 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint the garage door hand transmitter cannot be initialized with the integrated garage door opener in the inside rearview mirror. cause 1. the integrated garage door opener (gdo) is not compatible with the opening system installed in the garage. 2. the garage door drive uses a rolling code
Electrical System 2022-01-09 · LI68.05-P-060307 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint the range of the integrated garage door opener (gto) is too short. cause 1. vehicles equipped with infrared windows and/or a heated windshield may suffer from complaints involving low transmission power. 2. when comparing the range between the integrated gto and the garage door hand tr
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-12-08 · LI09.00-P-074093 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"my15+ m278 and m157 equipped vehicles with fault code ""p023400 â boost pressure is too high"" "
Showing the 6 most recent of 57 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-10-25 · Suspension“the smell of fuel is present inside the vehicle around 50 percent of the time. when parked in the garage the vehicle emits an extremely strong fuel smell as if it has leaked fuel with no visible spills or leaks. while driving the smell of fuel is present almost always.…”
2021-10-07 · Engine“walk home condition -i purchased a 2018 cpo mercedes-benz s560 on 8/20/21 from knauz continental autos in lake bluff, il. on 9/25/2, at approx noon, i was driving the vehicle and the engine light came on, the throttle/engine felt sluggish and not responsive. the engine felt very out of balance shaking the entire care when the gas pedal was presse…”
2021-07-27 · Electrical System“the contact owns a 2018 mercedes-benz s560. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v058000 (communication, electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufac…”
2021-06-11 · Unknown Or Other“recall # 21v058 the above safety recall has not been cleared via dealer. (two visits). i mentioned to dealer and they claim that it gets resolved "over the air". if so, then why hasn't it been resolved.…”
2021-03-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 20,000 mi“when the car is lifted in the front (to change both tires) there is a strong odor of fuel coming from the rear of the car when walking around the back. the tank was 50%full and this occurs whenever the car is lifted in the front.…”
2021-03-29 · Service Brakes · 20,000 mi“the front rotors seem to retain brake dust just on the insides of the rotors. the outsides are very clean and shiny but on the other side of the rotor (interior) becomes very coarse causing vibrations in steering. keep in mind that the interior is protected by the brake shield which must be causing heat not to be dissipated thereby fostering brake…”
2021-03-26 · Wheels · 38,560 mi“on the morning of march 8th, my vehicle was sitting in my driveway and i started it. i received a low tire pressure warning from the front left tire. i added air for several days and then on march 13th took the vehicle to a local americas tires for repair. the shop told me the tire was fine, the rim had developed a hairline crack. i took the ve…”
2020-08-24 · Service Brakes · 7,600 mi“brakes failed with no prior warning while driving at rated speed limit of 55 mph and trying to slow down the car to make a right turn. no brake response and barely missed wrapping the car to the power line located on route 62 and bateman road in barrington il 60010…”
2020-08-18 · Engine“2018 mercedes benz s class. consumer writes in regards to rework engine oil plugs safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. *js the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. *js…”
2019-11-07 · Engine · 39,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the consumer owned a 2018 mercedes-benz s560. after driving the vehicle for approximately three minutes, the contact parked the vehicle. the consumer was alerted by someone that there was smoke under the hood of the vehicle. within thirty seconds to a minute, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. the fire department was notified and extinguish…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.