The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is associated with 34 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 16 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine & Cooling, accounting for 4 reports (12% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl hybrid, 4l 8-cyl, and 4L 8-Cyl hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 26 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class belongs to the 7th generation (W223) S-Class platform spanning model years 2021–2026.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 34 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 16 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine & Cooling (4 / 12%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 0 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–26 MPG (12 variants)
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 |
| CLS450 Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| CLS450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| S500 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| GLS450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| S560 Convertible | 4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| S560 4matic Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| S580 4matic Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| AMG S63 4matic Plus Coupe | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 26 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| S580 4matic Maybach Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| GLS580 4matic Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG S63 4matic Plus Convertible | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 14 MPG | 24 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| GLS600 4matic Maybach Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 15 MPG | 19 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 |
| 2 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Cabriolet C 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Cabriolet C 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 No in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models.
View complete 2021 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems & component breakdown (24 categories) →
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. In the event of a mechanical failure in the engine Camtronic system, the engine control unit (ECU) software may cause the engine to overheat or stall.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 15, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on November 15, 2024, January 10, 2025, and February 21, 2025. Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz Customer Service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100007.
View all 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls & campaign history (16 campaigns) →