2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (1)
Safety recalls (7)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components 2025-02-24 · campaign 25V116000 · 20,339 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 S 500, Maybach S 580 4MATIC, 2021-2023 S 580 4MATIC, 2022 S 680 4MATIC, and 2023 S 580e 4MATIC vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025030007.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2024-10-25 · campaign 24V807000 · 21 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Maybach S 580 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC, and S 580 4MATIC vehicles. The emergency call system may fail to place an automatic or manual call and may not provide the vehicle location as intended.
Risk: A disabled emergency call system that prevents a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services or fails to identify the vehicle location, can delay emergency responders and increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the communication module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024110002.
Back Over Prevention:display Function 2022-07-11 · campaign 22V493000 · 8,530 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 AMG EQS53, EQS580, EQS450, 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error in the MBUX multimedia system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022080002.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2022-05-20 · campaign 22V365000 · 242,722 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
Steering:column 2022-04-01 · campaign 22V214000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S580 4Matic and S500 4Matic vehicles. The electrical connector to the steering column module may not be secured properly, which can disable gear shifts and/or safety features including the electronic stability program, the driver's air bag, and turn signal indicators.
Risk: Disabled safety features or the inability to shift gears can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the cover for the electrical connector, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040006.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights 2022-03-18 · campaign 22V167000 · 9,156 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 EQS 450, EQS 580, and 2021 S500 and S580 vehicles. A software error may disable the rear turn signals, hazard lights, and reverse lights.
Risk: Disabled rear turn signals, hazard lights, and reverse lights can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other driver's, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rear signal software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040013.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2021-10-11 · campaign 21V789000 · 1,311 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The air bag control unit software may deactivate the occupant recognition control unit, resulting in a deactivated front passenger air bag.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021100010. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (300)
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.
Steering 2026-09-26 · LI46.10-P-080896 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint slight creaking noises when steering. cause noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. remedy remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. if necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
Power Train 2026-09-26 · LI27.00-P-073124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (nag3 classic /9g‑tronic automatic transmission) and 725.1 (nag3 facelift/9g‑tronic automatic transmission facelift) for faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, intelligent predictive repair (ipr) has been developed a
Engine 2026-09-26 · LI18.00-P-073137 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint sporadic warning message in instrument cluster "engine oil pressure, stop switch off vehicle" (or similar) is shown in red on vehicles with low mileage. cause directional control valve may stick. remedy 1‑ read off oil level in instrument cluster and correct if necessary. 2‑ perform approx
Electrical System 2026-09-25 · OTA-Comm. Mod. SW. Update · Over The Air
a software update will be performed that provides enhancements to the robustness and system stability of the communication module. the update is free of charge and runs in the background, which takes about 8 minutes to install. during this time, the vehicle can be driven without any restrictions, an
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-25 · LI83.90-P-080935 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint cel illuminates and/or ac does not blow cold. cause potentially relevance to hardware and/or software remedy scenario 1: 1. if the ac does not blow cold air, replace compressor (if compressor's index and part number figure 1 match against table 1). a. if the compressor does not fall within
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Showing the 6 most recent of 300 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 20,700 mi“the contact owns a 2021 mercedes-benz. the contact stated while driving at 10 mph, the vehicle stalls until the contact engages the vehicle in sport mode. the vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure and a case was opened. the contact was relating the failu…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.