The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is associated with 51 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Other / Uncategorized, accounting for 7 reports (14% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 4.7l 8-cyl, and 6l 12-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 20 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 58 MPGe (26 MPG on gasoline) with up to 14 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class belongs to the 6th generation (W222) S-Class platform spanning model years 2015–2020.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 51 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Other / Uncategorized (7 / 14%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 6 crash / 3 fire / 5 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–20 MPG (7 variants • PHEV up to 58 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| S550e Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 54 MPGe (24 MPG) | 63 MPGe (30 MPG) | 58 MPGe (26 MPG) | 14 mi EV (450 mi total) | $2,900 / yr |
| S550 | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| CLS550 | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| S550 4matic | 4.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 16 MPG | 26 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| S550 4matic Coupe | 4.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| CLS550 4matic | 4.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| S600 | 6L 12-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 21 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Hybrid 4 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Hybrid 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models.
View complete 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems & component breakdown (28 categories) →
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: COMMUNICATION
Defect Summary: 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
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →