Mercedes Benz S Class Years to Avoid (2026): Worst and Best Years

Mercedes Benz S Class years to avoid

No model year of the Mercedes Benz S Class stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.

Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

All model years combined.

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

Year	Score	Complaints	Top problem	Typical mileage	Recalls	Crashes
2012	95	1	Transmission		1	1
2009	94	2	Airbags		1	1
2005	94	2	Airbags		1	1
2004	66	15	Electrical	38,954	4	1
2003	51	28	Suspension	55,000	2	0
2002	33	48	Suspension	78,139	2	0
2001	40	36	Electrical	96,000	5	0
2000	-	81	Electrical	84,000	5	3
1999	-	9	Airbags	103,000	0	1
1998	-	2	Tires		0	0
1997	-	2	Electrical		0	0
1996	-	6	Engine	121,000	1	0
1995	-	27	Electrical	134,000	0	0
1994	-	12	Electrical	130,000	0	0

What years of the Mercedes Benz S Class should you avoid?

No single model year of the Mercedes Benz S Class has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.

What is the best year for a used Mercedes Benz S Class?

There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

What is the most common problem with the Mercedes Benz S Class?

Electrical, with 113 complaints across all years, followed by suspension (57) and lights (33).

How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz S Class have?

11 recalls between 1994 and 2012. The 2001 model year has the most, with 5.

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.