The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is associated with 12 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Tires, accounting for 3 reports (25% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning all-electric, 3L 6-Cyl hybrid, 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 4L 8-Cyl hybrid, and 6l 12-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 14 to 25 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 49 MPGe (23 MPG on gasoline) with up to 56 miles of electric driving range. All-electric variants deliver up to 80 MPGe with an estimated range of 285 miles. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class belongs to the 7th generation (W223) S-Class platform spanning model years 2021–2026.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 12 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Tires (3 / 25%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 1 crash / 0 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 14–25 MPG (10 variants • PHEV up to 49 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 |
| EQS 580 4matic (SUV) 100% Electric | Electric Motor | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 83 MPGe | 77 MPGe | 80 MPGe | 285 mi | $950 / yr |
| CLS450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| S580e 4matic Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 60 MPGe (20 MPG) | 35 MPGe (29 MPG) | 49 MPGe (23 MPG) | 56 mi EV (470 mi total) | $3,300 / yr |
| S500 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| GLS450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| S580 4matic Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 25 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| S580 4matic Maybach Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 15 MPG | 25 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| GLS580 4matic Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| GLS600 4matic Maybach Hybrid | 4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Maybach S680 4matic | 6L 12-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 12 MPG | 20 MPG | 14 MPG | — | $5,450 / 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.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 285 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| Hybrid 4 DR AWD | 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 Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models.
View complete 2023 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 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems & component breakdown (10 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: 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles. The 80-Amp fuses may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
View all 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →