Mercedes-Benz S-Class, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Chanokchon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
14
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
33
Latest campaign
Apr 3, 2026

Recall summary by component14

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Electrical system3Feb 5, 2021
Engine and engine cooling2Jan 27, 2020
Lane departure2Dec 19, 2018
Power train1Apr 3, 2026
Structure1Mar 19, 2021
Communication1Feb 12, 2021
Engine1Mar 20, 2020
Service brakes, hydraulic1Dec 20, 2019
Steering1Dec 19, 2018
Latches/locks/linkages1Dec 18, 2017

Safety recalls14

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
1Fixable over the air
Apr 3, 2026Latest campaign
Apr 3, 202626V216000

Power train: driveline universal joint

A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 26V216000
What's wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 4MATIC Sedan, E 400 4MATIC Wagon, E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 400 4MATIC Coupe, 2018-2020 Maybach S 560 4MATIC, S 560 4MATIC Coupe, S 450 4MATIC, 2019-2020 E 450 4MATIC Sedan, E 450 4MATIC Wagon, E 450 4MATIC Coupe, and E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet vehicles. The drive shaft universal joint may break, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
Risk
A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the drive shaft as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 22, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 10, 2026.
Filed under
S 450 4matic, S 560 4matic, S 560 4matic Coupe
Campaign
NHTSA 26V216000 · Apr 3, 2026
Mar 19, 202121V197000

Structure: body roof and pillars

The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a…

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V197000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Filed under
Amg S63, S 450, S560
Campaign
NHTSA 21V197000 · Mar 19, 2021
Feb 12, 202121V072000

Communication

A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency…

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V072000
What's wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Risk
A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
Filed under
S 450, S560
Campaign
NHTSA 21V072000 · Feb 12, 2021
Feb 5, 202121V058000

Electrical system: software

Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Over-the-air remedy
DetailsHide details for campaign 21V058000
What's wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Risk
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
Filed under
Amg S63, Amg S65, S 450, S560
Campaign
NHTSA 21V058000 · Feb 5, 2021
Jul 31, 202020V449000

Electrical system: software

Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt,…

DetailsHide details for campaign 20V449000
What's wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible tone.
Risk
Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080015.
Filed under
S560
Campaign
NHTSA 20V449000 · Jul 31, 2020
Mar 20, 202020V173000

Engine

An engine oil leak can spill on to the road and cause slippery road conditions.

DetailsHide details for campaign 20V173000
What's wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 S560 and Maybach S560 vehicles equipped with 4.0L 8-cylinder gasoline-engines. Two engine oil plugs may not withstand high engine loads while driving, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak.
Risk
An engine oil leak can spill on to the road and cause slippery road conditions. Additionally, if the engine runs out of oil it can cause an engine stall while driving. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the engine oil plugs by adding a retaining plate, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060018.
Filed under
S560
Campaign
NHTSA 20V173000 · Mar 20, 2020

Merged from NHTSA model names: S 450 4matic, S 560 4matic, S 560 4matic Coupe, Amg S63, S 450, S560, Amg S65, S450, S63. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Mercedes-Benz recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component33

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
33Complaints filed
2Involving a crash
2Involving a fire
1Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Engine721010
Steering515100
Service brakes515100
Unknown or other412000
Power train412111
Suspension412211
Forward collision avoidance39000
Fuel/propulsion system39111
Air bags13000
Electrical system13000
Communication13000
Wheels13000
Visibility/wiper13000
Seat belts13000

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names S 560 4MATIC, S-Class, S-Class Coupe.

Latest reports

  • Unknown or other

    “Reckless driving on 94. The driver going more than 80mph up behind me into traffic blowing the horn the proceeds to go are flashing something could have been a cell phone maybe.”

    Filed 08/26/2026 · ODI 11759759
  • Power train

    “The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 4MATIC. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced failures associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (Power Train).”

    Filed 06/30/2026 · ODI 11747448
  • Suspension

    “Hello as of now there was no accidents just read Reading the Recalls it is very serious I take in the vehicle to the Mercedes Benz dealership 4-29- 26 They did nothing but said they would get in contact with me once…”

    Filed 04/29/2026 · ODI 11734474

Other Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years

Other Mercedes-Benz models

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?

NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The most recent, 26V216000 (reported April 3, 2026), concerns power train. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 3 campaigns. Others: engine and engine cooling (2), lane departure (2), power train (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 7 complaints out of 33 filed with NHTSA (21%). Across all complaints, owners reported 2 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Mercedes-Benz recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Check a specific Mercedes-Benz by VIN

0/17
Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Mercedes-Benz build sheet & window sticker guide.