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 failure to  the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V704000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage was 20,700.
The worst 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
Recalls 7
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 25V116000 · Recall details
Communication: auto crash notification
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 24V807000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: display function
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V493000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V365000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V214000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V167000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 21V789000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 301
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz...
- Fuel/propulsion system
- In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the...
- Diverse functional limitations in the vehicle in combination with various warning and fault messages in...
- Sporadic warning message in instrument cluster "Engine oil pressure, stop switch off vehicle" (or similar)...
- Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic...
- Slight creaking noises when steering
- CEL illuminates and/or AC does not blow cold
- A software update will be performed that provides enhancements to the robustness and system stability of...
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
What 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500
Other model years
20212023
Questions about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500, close to a typical S 500 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 500 have?
7 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, communication and back over prevention.
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