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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2010–2013

Mercedes-Benz S400 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 23 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz S400, covering model years 2010 to 2013. The 2010 model year drew the most complaints (16), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz S400 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 23 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2010–2013)
  • most complaints: 2010 (16 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (14 complaints)
  • latest recall 12V557000 (reported Dec 3, 2012)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2010 model year has the most complaints: 16 of 23, or 69.6%. Next come 2011 (5) and 2012 (1). The fewest are for 2013, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz S400 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2010–2013Column chart of 23 complaints across 4 model years. The highest is 2010 with 16. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2010: 16 complaints1620102011: 5 complaints520112012: 1 complaint120122013: 1 complaint12013
Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2010160000
201150000
201210000
201310000
All model years230000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz S400 components

top 13 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 14 complaints (60.9% of all 23), followed by Engine (6) and Fuel/Propulsion System (4).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints (top 13)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints (top 13)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System1460.9%
Engine626.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System417.4%
Unknown or Other313.0%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)28.7%
Power Train28.7%
Suspension28.7%
Engine and Engine Cooling14.3%
Equipment14.3%
Hybrid Propulsion System14.3%
Steering14.3%
Vehicle Speed Control14.3%
Wheels14.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz S400 recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name S400, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2011 to 2012. The 2011 and 2012 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Mercedes-Benz S400 recall campaigns covering each model year
2011: 2 campaigns2012: 2 campaigns

  1. NHTSA campaign 12V557000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Model years 2011–2012

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.

    Consequence:
    If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
    Remedy:
    Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 11V493000

    Reported

    Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems

    Model years 2011–2012

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S550, S550 CGI, S63, S600 Bi-Turbo, S65 AMG, S550 4-Matic, and S550 CGI 4-Matic and S400 Hybrid vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2011, through July 30, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)." The tire pressure monitoring system indicators may only illuminate for a portion of the time required by the standard and under certain conditions may not re-illuminate immediately after the vehicle is restarted as required.

    Consequence:
    If all four wheel sensors in the subject vehicles are simultaneously malfunctioning or missing, the TPMS will provide an initial warning, but this warning will not automatically repeat on subsequent ignition cycles, failing to remind the driver that the system is offline. Driving unknowingly with incorrectly inflated tires may result in sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Mercedes Benz will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring unit, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz S400 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz S400 have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz S400, covering model years 2010 to 2013. The most recent, 12V557000, was reported on December 3, 2012 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 2011 and 2012 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which Mercedes-Benz S400 model year has the most complaints?

The 2010 model year, with 16 of the 23 complaints in NHTSA’s file (69.6%). The next are 2011 (5) and 2012 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz S400 complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 14 complaints, or 60.9% of all 23. Engine (6) and Fuel/Propulsion System (4) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz S400?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 23 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.