Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 18, 2026.
Fuel economy
18–20 mpgcombined; city 15–17, highway 23–26; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$20,120–$22,360U.S. average; Ohio $18,960–$21,070 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
Not ratedNHTSA has no overall rating for this year
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2014 S-Class. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 S-Class. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Unknown or other
5
2
0
0
Steering
3
0
0
0
Air bags
2
2
0
1
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
Power train
2
0
0
0
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
Service brakes
2
0
0
0
Suspension
2
0
0
0
Visibility
2
0
0
1
Visibility/wiper
2
1
0
0
Electrical system
1
1
0
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
0
0
0
10 more parts
Equipment adaptive/mobility
1
0
0
0
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
1
0
0
0
Lane departure
1
0
0
0
Latches/locks/linkages
1
0
0
0
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
Structure
1
1
0
1
Tires
1
0
0
0
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
Wheels
1
0
0
0
What the columns count
Complaints: complaints that name that part. One complaint can name several parts, so the rows overlap and don't add up to the total.
Crashes and Fires: complaints that report one. Two owners can file about the same event, and NHTSA doesn't link them, so these count reports, not events.
Injuries: the number of people the complaints say were injured.
None of these columns shows that a part caused a crash, fire or injury: they're what owners reported, unverified.
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2014 S-Class over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
Structure: body
NHTSA campaign 23V854000 · reported Dec 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
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.
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.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA campaign 21V197000 · reported Mar 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 19V787000 · reported Nov 1, 2019 · 24,226 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
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.
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
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA campaign 16V899000 · reported Dec 14, 2016 · 70 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.
Risk: If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
NHTSA campaign 15V652000 · reported Oct 14, 2015 · 3,177 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall BEGAN ON DECEMBER 2, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz's number for this recall is 2015100003.
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 S63 AMG sedans and 2015-2016 S63 AMG 4Matic sedans and coupes manufactured May 14, 2013, to September 18, 2015. In the affected vehicles, due to a software error within the engine control unit, the vehicle may stall when coasting to a stop, such as at a traffic light.
Risk: The vehicle stall may be interpreted by the driver to be a planned shut-down as part of the ECO-Start-function. However, the engine will not restart automatically after releasing the brake pedal, immobilizing the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA campaign 13V576000 · reported Nov 20, 2013 · 290 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the front seat belt anchor fitting, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz's recall number is 2013110008.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 S550 vehicles manufactured April 11, 2013, through October 14, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the front seat belt anchor might not be installed correctly allowing it to come loose in a crash.
Risk: If the seat belt anchor comes loose, in the event of a crash, the occupant may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 163 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2014 S-Class, the latest on Sep 22, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (56), equipment (27), exterior lighting (14), power train (14), suspension (14).
NHTSA defect investigations
Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.
Investigation
Part
Opened
Status
Preliminary evaluation PE21001 Front Roof Panel Detachment
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2014 S-Class.
EPA class: large cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 4–5 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
S550 Rear-Wheel Drive
4.7 L, 8 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline
17 / 26 / 20
S550 4matic 4-Wheel Drive
4.7 L, 8 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline
16 / 26 / 19
S63 AMG 4matic 4-Wheel Drive
5.5 L, 8 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline
15 / 23 / 18
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 18, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 18, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 18, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 18, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data