Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 18, 2026.
Fuel economy
15–26 mpgcombined; city 13–24, highway 20–30; every version of this model year; plug-in hybrid versions on gasoline, 58 MPGe on electricity
Five years of fuel
$20,120–$26,830U.S. average; Ohio $18,960–$25,280 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. Plug-in hybrid versions: $15,750, EPA's own estimate for plug-in hybrids: its national gasoline and electricity prices and the share of miles it expects on electricity; not priced for any state
NHTSA overall safety rating
Not ratedNHTSA has no overall rating for this year
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2015 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 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 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
12
0
1
0
Electrical system
8
2
2
0
Seat belts
8
2
0
5
Structure
6
1
0
4
Air bags
5
4
0
6
Steering
5
0
0
0
Wheels
5
0
0
0
Fuel/propulsion system
4
0
1
0
Engine
3
0
1
0
Service brakes
3
2
1
0
Tires
3
0
0
0
Visibility
3
0
0
1
10 more parts
Visibility/wiper
3
0
1
0
Power train
2
0
1
0
Service brakes, hydraulic
2
1
0
0
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
1
0
0
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
1
0
0
0
Fuel system, gasoline
1
0
0
0
Latches/locks/linkages
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
Vehicle speed control
1
1
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 9 recall campaigns for the 2015 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 17V177000 · reported Mar 14, 2017 · 51 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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 15V796000 · reported Nov 24, 2015 · 52 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the onboard charger, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 S550 Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 24, 2015, to June 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a high voltage onboard charger that may not have been built to specification, and as a result, the charging function for an external charging cable might not function and the onboard charger may incorrectly detect a charging cable, even while the vehicle is being driven.
Risk: If the charging cable is incorrectly detected and the vehicle is stopped or moving at a very slow speed, the vehicle may unexpectedly shift to park, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 15V657000 · reported Oct 14, 2015 · 2,580 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the installation of the seat belts, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2015. MBUSA's recall number is 2015100002. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 S550 4Matic Coupe, AMG S63 4Matic Coupe, and AMG S65 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2014, to April 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, left-side front seat belts may have been installed on the right-side and vice versa. As a result, the installation angle may be incorrect, affecting the seat belt locking behavior. Additionally, the child seat restraint function for the passenger seat would not be available. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and FMVSS number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: If the seat belt is installed improperly, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA campaign 15V647000 · reported Oct 13, 2015 · 4 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel system control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 S550 Hybrid vehicles manufactured May 13, 2013 to April 22, 2015. In the affected vehicles, after driving in electric mode, the fuel pump output may be insufficient to restart the gasoline engine and the vehicle will stall.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 187 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2015 S-Class, the latest on Sep 22, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (60), equipment (18), power train (17), exterior lighting (16), suspension (16).
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 2015 S-Class.
EPA class: large cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 3–9 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
S550e Rear-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline or Electricity 14 miles on electricity, 450 miles in all
24 / 30 / 26 on gasoline 58 MPGe on electricity
S600 Rear-Wheel Drive
6.0 L, 12 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline
13 / 21 / 16
S63 AMG 4matic 4-Wheel Drive
5.5 L, 8 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline
15 / 23 / 18
S65 AMG Rear-Wheel Drive
6.0 L, 12 cyl, turbo
Automatic 7-spd
Premium Gasoline
13 / 20 / 15
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