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Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder

Mercedes-Benz is the main brand of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, the Stuttgart company known as Daimler AG until February 2022, when it took its current name after spinning off its truck business as Daimler Truck. The group's car brands are Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach, and it also owns half of the smart joint venture with Geely. It builds cars, SUVs and vans.

Decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN

Enter all 17 characters to see the build details NHTSA holds and the recalls for that model year.

  • 342 model pages
  • 578 recall campaigns
  • 23,798 owner complaints
  • model years 1995–2026
  • 27 WMI codes in vPIC
  • origin: Germany

Mercedes-Benz at a glance

NHTSA data
Mercedes-Benz: key facts from NHTSA data
Country of originGermany
RegionEurope
NHTSA recall and complaint dataYes, model years 1995–2026
WMI codes in NHTSA vPIC27
Model pages342
Other model names in NHTSA data66
Vehicle recall campaigns578
Owner complaints23,798
Complaints reporting a crash1,073 (4.5%)
Complaints reporting a fire669 (2.8%)
Complaints reporting an injury896 (3.8%)
Complaints reporting a death24 (0.1%)
Data updatedSeptember 25, 2026

About Mercedes-Benz VINs

Major Mercedes-Benz plants include Sindelfingen, which builds the S-Class and E-Class, and Bremen, which builds the C-Class and GLC. In the United States, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International near Vance, Alabama, has built vehicles since 1997 and now produces the GLE and GLS. NHTSA's vPIC database lists U.S.-prefix codes such as 4JG and 55S for Mercedes-Benz alongside the German W codes.

Mercedes-Benz is sold throughout the United States, so NHTSA holds a large volume of recall campaigns and owner complaints for U.S.-market models, and this page summarises them. For a car built for Europe the situation is different: our decoder relies on NHTSA's vPIC data, which is most complete for North American vehicles. The notes below explain the two WMI families and what that means.

NHTSA’s files hold 578 vehicle recall campaigns and 23,798 owner complaints for Mercedes-Benz vehicles from model years 1995 to 2026, summarised here on 342 model pages. The C 300 has the most complaints (3,961), followed by the E 350 (2,210) and the E320 (1,153). Of those complaints, 1,073 report a crash, 669 a fire, 896 at least one injury and 24 at least one death; the figures count complaints, not people.

Mercedes-Benz WMI codes

Source: NHTSA vPIC · 27 codes

The World Manufacturer Identifier is the first three characters of the VIN. NHTSA’s vPIC database decodes 27 WMIs to Mercedes-Benz; this is the complete list, with the manufacturer name, country and vehicle type vPIC records for each.

Mercedes-Benz WMIs in NHTSA vPIC (first 10 of 27)
Mercedes-Benz WMIs in NHTSA vPIC (first 10 of 27)
WMIManufacturer (vPIC)CountryVehicle type
1MBMERCEDES-BENZ TRUCK COMPANY INCUnited StatesTruck
4JGMERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.United StatesMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
55SMERCEDES-BENZ CARSUnited StatesPassenger Car
8BNMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (SPRINTER)ArgentinaIncomplete Vehicle
8BRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (SPRINTER)ArgentinaBus
8BTMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (SPRINTER)ArgentinaMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
8BUMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (SPRINTER)ArgentinaTruck
9DBMERCEDES-BENZ TRUCK COMPANY INCBrazilTruck
W1AMERCEDES-BENZ, AGNot statedPassenger Car
W1KMERCEDES-BENZ CARSGermanyPassenger Car
Show the other 17 WMIs
Mercedes-Benz WMIs in NHTSA vPIC, continued (17 more)
Mercedes-Benz WMIs in NHTSA vPIC, continued (17 more)
WMIManufacturer (vPIC)CountryVehicle type
W1LMERCEDES-BENZ, AGNot statedPassenger Car
W1MMERCEDES-BENZ, AGNot statedPassenger Car
W1NMERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
W1PMERCEDES-BENZ, AGNot statedMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
W1RMERCEDES-BENZ, AGNot statedMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
W1WMERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
W1XMERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyIncomplete Vehicle
W1YMERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyTruck
W1ZMERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyBus
WD3MERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyTruck
WD4MERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
WDAMERCEDES-BENZ, AGGermanyIncomplete Vehicle
WDBMERCEDES-BENZ CARSGermanyPassenger Car
WDCMERCEDES-BENZ CARSGermanyMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
WDDMERCEDES-BENZ CARSGermanyPassenger Car
WDZMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (SPRINTER)GermanyBus
WEBDAIMLER BUSES GMBHGermanyBus

See the WMI code guide for how the codes are assigned.

Mercedes-Benz models in NHTSA data

342 model pages · by complaints

Each model page lists NHTSA’s recall campaigns and owner complaints for that model name, by model year and component. Models are sorted by complaints; the data covers model years 1995–2026.

Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints (30 of 342)
Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints (30 of 342)
ModelModel yearsRecall campaignsComplaints
C 3002008–2026653,961
E 3502003–2026452,210
E3201995–200941,153
ML3502001–20159951
GLK3502006–201512907
ML3201998–20114742
C2502012–20169726
C2301997–20075657
GLC 3002016–202654651
E5002003–20094460
CLA 2502012–202527448
Sprinter 25002007–202595438
GL4502007–201711417
C 3502006–202018359
GLE 3502016–202653352
AMG E552003–20064347
Sprinter 35002007–202491346
GLA 2502014–202628296
S-Class1995–201211259
E-Class1995–20089253
E5502006–201716241
E 3001995–201924236
R3502006–20123235
Metris2015–202331212
SL5001995–20091209
S5502007–201715206
S4302000–2006–194
S 5001995–202315191
C3202001–20074187
C-Class1995–20126176
Show 312 more Mercedes-Benz models
Other Mercedes-Benz models in NHTSA data, by complaints (312)
Other Mercedes-Benz models in NHTSA data, by complaints (312)
ModelModel yearsRecall campaignsComplaints
3201995–2002–176
C2801995–20074165
SLK2301998–2004–160
GLS 4502016–202132139
ML4301999–2001–135
CLK3201999–20094115
GLB 2502020–202625110
ML5002002–20113108
CLS 5502006–201811107
CLK3502006–20104103
GLE 4502016–20245297
E 4002015–20182692
C2201995–2015–91
C2402001–2007388
GL3502009–20171087
M-Class1998–20091586
2401995–2003–78
A 2202019–20221677
2801995–2000–77
SLK1998–2009374
EQS 4502022–20241773
S6001995–2017972
EQB 300 4MATIC2022–2025572
E4301998–2002–71
GL5502008–20171068
CLS5002004–2009367
SL 5502003–20201266
S 5802021–20232064
E 4502006–20243562
SLK3502005–2016761
AMG C432016–20243160
5001995–2003–51
B-Class Electric2014–2016250
SLK2802006–2008249
AMG E632007–20231248
GLS 450 4MATIC2022–20261346
GLK2502013–2015846
CL5001999–2006144
4201995–1999–43
3001995–2002–40
SLK3202001–2004–40
ML5502008–2014639
AMG GLE432016–20191338
CLK5002003–2007438
CLK4301999–2003–37
CLK-Class2000–2006235
AMG GLC432016–20262734
EQB 250+2022–2025334
CL-Class2000–2005733
GLC 300 4MATIC2023–2026633
AMG CLS552006433
GL3202006–2010333
GLE 350 4MATIC2021–2026432
SL3201995–2000132
SL-Class1996–2013731
CL6002001–2005131
E2004–2011630
Sprinter 15002015–20245529
AMG GLE532021–20221929
R5002006–2008229
C2002015–29
AMG CLA452014–20231828
B 250E2014–2017528
4302000–2001–28
CLS 4502019–20232126
2301999–2004–26
2112003–2005–25
GLC2015–2023–25
AMG C632010–20213023
S4002010–2013223
CL5502007–2013123
G 5502009–20252822
EQE 350+2023–2025622
C632008–2011522
GLC 350 E 4MATIC2025–2026321
C1995–2010221
S 5602018–20211519
AMG GLA452014–20231019
C4502016–2017519
R3202006–2013419
S550 4MATIC2015–2017419
CLK1998–2008119
EQS 5802022–20241418
AMG GT2016–20211218
EQB 350 4MATIC2022–2024618
C 300 4MATIC2018–2026518
AMG E532007–20232617
AMG GLE53 4MATIC+2023–2026717
EQE 350 4MATIC2023–2025717
GLE 450E 4MATIC2024–2026417
AMG G632017–20251816
GLE 4002016–20191316
S632008–2018416
SL6001995–2007115
S 4502018–20201414
GLS 5502017–2019714
SLK2502013–2015414
C 350 E2016–2020913
E2502014–2016513
GLE 450 4MATIC2022–2026313
G5002002–2010213
ML552000–2003113
GLC 350 E2018–20201612
E632010–2019712
AMG E432017–2018612
GL2006–2011512
SLS2011–2014512
GLE 400 E2021–2024112
Sprinter 45002015–20245411
GLS 580 4MATIC2020–20262411
AMG EQS2022–2024311
AMG C63 S2015–20231510
AMG S632014–20211510
AMG GLB352021–20251010
G632013–2020910
C4002015810
ML2502015610
AMG C322002–2004310
EQE 5002023–2024310
E 350 4MATIC2024–2026210
GLB 250 4MATIC2020–2026110
AMG GLE632016–2024219
AMG E63 S2013–2023169
GLE300D2016–201779
AMG CLS632007–201859
AMG C552005–200649
EQS 450 4MATIC2023–202429
AMG GLC632018–2021218
AMG GLS632017–2026198
AMG CLS532019–2021178
Sprinter (VS30)2019–2020158
Maybach S 560 4MATIC2018–202078
CLS 4002015–201648
E 450 4MATIC2019–202638
GLC 3502018–202038
GLE 5802020–2021147
AMG CLA352020–202287
GLE 550 E2016–201887
S550E2015–201777
AMG ML632007–201567
GL632013–201667
S 580 4MATIC2023–202537
SLC 3002016–202037
SLK552006–201437
EQS 580 4MATIC2022–202327
1241995–200117
2021995–200117
S 560 4MATIC2018–202017
AMG GT532019–2023196
CLK5502007–200956
R-Class2006–200756
ML2006–201136
GLE350D201626
CLS-Class200616
ML632006–201116
AMG GT432021–2026135
GLS5802021115
AMG SL632016–2023105
EQS SUV 580 4MATIC2023–202535
CLE 300202425
CL632007–201215
CLS2006–201115
S 560 E2019–202015
AMG GT S2016–201974
AMG SL552022–202354
ML400201554
AMG EQE2023–202434
G552002–201034
S1995–201034
AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Wagon2025–202624
E43 AMG201824
EQS SUV 450 4MATIC2023–202524
GLA 250 4MATIC2021–202524
SLK3002009–201653
E400 Hybrid2013–201533
S 580 E 4MATIC2023–202533
C63 AMG2009–201523
SL4002015–201623
A 220 4MATIC2019–202213
CLK552005–200613
S652007–201213
AMG GT 632019–2026162
AMG A352020–202182
AMG GLS63 4MATIC+2023–202672
GLE63S2016–201772
AMG GLA 352021–202562
Maybach S 580 4MATIC2023–202462
GLE 580 4MATIC2022–202652
Maybach S 6802022–202452
CLS632012–201542
SL 4502017–202042
AMG C43 4MATIC2023–202632
EQE 500 4MATIC2023–202432
EQE SUV 350 4MATIC2023–202532
eSprinter2024–202532
G 580 EV202532
Maybach S550201732
SL652005–201532
AMG GLC43 4MATIC Coupe2024–202522
CL2000–200822
CLE 300 4MATIC2024–202522
EQE SUV 350+2023–202522
AMG S63 4MATIC2015–201612
CLA 250 4MATIC2020–202212
CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe202612
E 400 4MATIC201812
GLE 350 E2020–202112
AMG GLC63 S2018–202191
Maybach S 5802021–202291
AMG GLE63 S2018–202281
SL632013–201771
AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC+2023–202651
AMG SL432023–202651
AMG EQS 53202241
AMG CLK552003–200531
ML4502010–201131
AMG CLE53 4MATIC+2024–202521
AMG SLC 432019–202021
CLE 450 4MATIC2024–202521
E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain2024–202621
Maybach EQS SUV 680 4MATIC2024–202521
CL2152001–200611
CL2162007–200811
CLA 250+ (EV)202611
E 450 4MATIC Coupe2019–202011
SL2302003–200711
AMG S652015–202012–
Maybach GLS 60020219–
AMG GT63 S2019–20237–
Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC2022–20267–
AMG G652016–20185–
AMG GT C2018–20215–
R2008–20115–
S 580 E20235–
S65 AMG20175–
Tourrider Business2022–20265–
Tourrider Premium2022–20265–
AMG EQE 53 4MATIC2023–20254–
AMG GLC43 4MATIC2024–20264–
GLC 300 4MATIC Coupe2024–20264–
Maybach S 6502018–20204–
Maybach S60020174–
AMG GLC63 S E20253–
AMG GLC63 S E 4MATIC+ Coupe2025–20263–
AMG GT R2018–20203–
EQE SUV 500 4MATIC2023–20253–
1401995–19972–
AMG EQS 53 4MATIC2023–20242–
AMG GLE53 4MATIC+ Coupe2025–20262–
AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe2025–20262–
AMG R6320072–
AMG SL55 4MATIC+2023–20262–
AMG SL63 4MATIC+2023–20262–
AMG SL63 S E2024–20252–
AMG SL652017–20182–
CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet2024–20262–
CLE 45020242–
CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet2024–20262–
E63 AMG20202–
EQS SUV 450+2023–20252–
GLE 450 4MATIC Coupe2025–20262–
SLC 43 AMG2017–20182–
AMG C63 S E20241–
AMG C63 S E 4MATIC+20251–
AMG C63 S E Performance 4MATIC+20261–
AMG CLE5320241–
AMG CLE53 4MATIC Cabriolet2025–20261–
AMG CLE53 4MATIC Coupe20261–
AMG E 53 4MATIC+20261–
AMG E 53 E 4MATIC+20251–
AMG EQE SUV 4MATIC2024–20251–
AMG EQE SUV 53 4MATIC2024–20251–
AMG GLA 35 4MATIC20241–
AMG GLB35 4MATIC20261–
AMG GLC43 Coupe20261–
AMG GLC63 S E 4MATIC+2025–20261–
AMG GLS63S20211–
AMG GT 63 S E Coupe20231–
AMG GT C Roadster20171–
AMG GT Roadster20181–
AMG GT63 S E2024–20251–
AMG GTA20181–
AMG S 63 E2023–20241–
AMG S 63 E 4MATIC+20251–
AMG SL63 S E Performance 4MATIC+20261–
AMG SLK552013–20151–
CL20320021–
CLA 350 4MATIC (EV)20261–
CLE 450 4MATIC Coupe20261–
CLS 63S2014–20161–
E 350 E20211–
E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet20181–
E 400 4MATIC Coupe20181–
E 400 4MATIC Wagon20181–
E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet2019–20201–
E 450 4MATIC Wagon2019–20201–
E63S2018–20191–
GLE55020171–
GLS350D20171–
M20111–
Maybach S 680 4MATIC20231–
Maybach SL 680 4MATIC+20261–
R55020081–
S 450 4MATIC2018–20201–
S 500 4MATIC20231–
S 560 4MATIC Coupe2018–20201–
S2202002–20061–
S22120071–
S65020171–
SLK55 AMG20161–
SLR20071–
SLR McLaren2005–20061–

– means NHTSA has no records of that kind under the model name.

Other Mercedes-Benz models in NHTSA data

NHTSA also lists these Mercedes-Benz model names, but with no recall campaign and fewer than 25 complaints each, so they have no page of their own: 129, 170, 190, 203, 208, 210, 215, 220, 300 Series, 400, 463, 600, A170, A176, AMG CLK63, AMG EQE 4MATIC+, AMG GT55, AMG SLS, B242, C 250 D, C36 AMG, C176, C180, C190, C204, C204.9, C205, C230K, CL55, CL55 AMG, CL65, CLK63, CLS55, CLS218, E55, E207, E212, E330, E420, EQE, EQE 320+, GL166, GL500, GLB 200, GLE, GLE292 Coupe, GLK204, M166, S Series, S55, S55 AMG, S320, S350, S420, S500E, S550 Hybrid, SL, SL55, SL63 AMG, SL500R, SLK32, SLK172, Sprinter, Sprinter 906, Truck, W163.

How to read a Mercedes-Benz VIN

VIN notes

Which WMI codes does Mercedes-Benz use?

Mercedes-Benz has two families of WMIs. The older one starts with WD (WDB, WDD, WDC and others); the newer one starts with W1 (W1K, W1N and others), and those entries were created in NHTSA's vPIC database in November 2019. vPIC lists both families today, together with codes for vehicles built in the U.S. The table shows the main passenger-car and SUV codes, plus one MPV and one truck code from the newer family.

Selected Mercedes-Benz WMIs listed in NHTSA vPIC (checked September 2026)
Selected Mercedes-Benz WMIs listed in NHTSA vPIC (checked September 2026)
WMIManufacturer (NHTSA vPIC)CountryVehicle type
WDBMercedes-Benz CarsGermanyPassenger car (makes: Mercedes-Benz, Maybach)
WDDMercedes-Benz CarsGermanyPassenger car
W1KMercedes-Benz CarsGermanyPassenger car
WDCMercedes-Benz CarsGermanyMPV (SUV class)
W1NMercedes-Benz AGGermanyMPV (SUV class)
4JGMercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.United StatesMPV (SUV class)
55SMercedes-Benz CarsUnited StatesPassenger car
W1WMercedes-Benz AGGermanyMPV
W1YMercedes-Benz AGGermanyTruck

vPIC also lists WME under Mercedes-Benz Cars, but with the make Smart, so a WME VIN belongs on the Smart VIN decoder. Heavy trucks and buses from Daimler Truck use separate identifiers. Our WMI code guide explains how one manufacturer ends up with dozens of codes.

Why do European-market Mercedes-Benz VINs look different?

For a Mercedes-Benz built for the U.S., 49 CFR Part 565 requires a check digit in position 9 and a model-year code in position 10. For one built for Europe, the rules depend on age. Before July 2022, EU rules mirrored ISO 3779: positions 4 to 9 were the manufacturer's to define and no check digit was required. Since 6 July 2022, new EU vehicle types must carry a check digit in position 9, but a model-year code is still optional. Older European-market Mercedes-Benz VINs may therefore fail a U.S.-style check-digit test, and position 10 may not be a model year, so read the year from the registration document instead.

This is also why our decoder, which uses NHTSA data, may return only the manufacturer for a car first registered in Germany or elsewhere in Europe. The European VIN decoding guide explains what else can be read from such a VIN.

Mercedes-Benz VIN questions

4 questions

Is a Mercedes-Benz VIN starting with W1K genuine?

Yes. W1K is a Mercedes-Benz passenger-car WMI listed in NHTSA's vPIC database, part of the W1 family that vPIC recorded in November 2019. VINs starting with WDB or WDD are also genuine Mercedes-Benz passenger-car codes.

Will a German-market Mercedes-Benz decode fully here?

Often not. Our decoder relies on NHTSA's vPIC data, which is most complete for vehicles built for North America. The WMI will identify Mercedes-Benz, but model, engine and equipment fields may be empty for a European-market car.

Does this page show Mercedes-Benz recalls?

It shows NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints for Mercedes-Benz models sold in the U.S., grouped by model and model year. To check one vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or contact a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Can a Mercedes-Benz VIN show accident or ownership history?

No. A VIN decode covers manufacturing information. Accident, title and ownership records come from licensed history providers, and this site does not include them.

Related brands

(n) = model pages · (—) = no U.S. data

Brands mentioned in the notes above, then other European brands, each with its own VIN notes and WMI list.

  • Smart (7) Germany · 7 recall campaigns
  • Alfa Romeo (6) Italy · 34 recall campaigns
  • Aston Martin (21) United Kingdom · 35 recall campaigns
  • Audi (66) Germany · 214 recall campaigns
  • Bentley (29) United Kingdom · 55 recall campaigns
  • BMW (333) Germany · 487 recall campaigns

All 59 brands »

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files and NHTSA vPIC, updated September 25, 2026.