Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems

Owners filed 16 complaints about the 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with NHTSA between Nov 2019 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (3).

Complaints
16
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes3
  2. Engine3
  3. Steering3
  4. Power train2
  5. Seat belts2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline2
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Suspension1
  10. Other / unknown5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20191
20200
20215
20222
20230
20242
20254
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

3 reports1 crash
“The car is out of control! It first began a couple of weeks ago when (1) the side view mirrors no longer closed automatically 2) Next, while I was driving, the car yesterday, the seat belt suddenly tightened as the car prepared for a sudden impact (which there was none).3) Today, the car refused to stop when I backed it out of the garage. It hit a tree behind us and the car has a rear dint! I am now fearful of driving this car. It needs major servicing or something!!! I have had it towed in to my local Mercedes-Benz dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2025Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11688276

Engine

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 560 E. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2025EngineODI 11665748

Steering

3 reports
“The adjustment up and down of the vehicle's steering column regularly sticks in the full "up" position and then cannot be easily re-adjusted. I have taken the vehicle in three times for servicing of this problem and the dealer solution was to only re-lubricate bearings and gears. Finally after problem has become more acute has the Mercedes dealer agreed to replace steering column in total.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2022SteeringODI 11449490

Power train

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S450. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026Power trainODI 11744748

Seat belts

2 reports
“Rear drivers side seat belt/airbag combo locked in place and will not retract.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2025Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11670520

Fuel system, gasoline

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor detected. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that there was fuel leaking from the fuel rail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2024Fuel system, gasolineODI 11569929
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.