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2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Plug-in hybridGas
Large Cars
13 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
55 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical6
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA8
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas large car with 13 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the S560e, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 8 complaints, most often about the vehicle speed control.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
S560ePlug-in hybridRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 90 kW DCPM212623 (33 MPGe blended)19 mi electric531.3 h$3,350
S450GasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192822———$3,500
S450 4maticGas4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182822———$3,500
S560GasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172721———$3,700
S560 4maticGas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172721———$3,700
AMG S63 4matic PlusGas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620———$3,900
AMG S63 4matic Plus CoupeGas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172720———$3,900
S560 4matic CoupeGas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620———$3,900
S560 ConvertibleGasRWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo172620———$3,900
S560 4matic MaybachGas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo162519———$4,100
AMG S63 4matic Plus ConvertibleGas4WD4.0L 8-cyl turbo152418———$4,300
AMG S65GasRWD6.0L 12-cyl turbo132216———$4,850
Maybach S650GasRWD6.0L 12-cyl turbo132116———$4,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42525, 41815, 41816, 42197, 42199, 42198, 42196, 42195, 42193, 42200.

Factory warranty running out?

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

24,092 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 4MATIC Sedan, E 400 4MATIC Wagon, E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 400 4MATIC Coupe, 2018-2020 Maybach S 560 4MATIC, S 560 4MATIC Coupe, S 450 4MATIC, 2019-2020 E 450 4MATIC Sedan, E 450 4MATIC Wagon, E 450 4MATIC Coupe, and E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet vehicles. The drive shaft universal joint may break, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.RiskA sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the drive shaft as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 22, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 10, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V216000reported Apr 3, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.RiskA disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.FixThe communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
NHTSA campaign 22V365000reported May 20, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

2022030003
139 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.RiskA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.FixDealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.
NHTSA campaign 21V961000reported Dec 13, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

2021070032/33
542 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.RiskAir bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.
NHTSA campaign 21V527000reported Jul 12, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
▲high

Structure

2021070010
15,096 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskThe 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.FixMercedes-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.
NHTSA campaign 21V197000reported Mar 19, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

2021020025
1,292,258 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.RiskFailure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.FixMBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
NHTSA campaign 21V058000reported Feb 5, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars — Front Roof Panel Detachment closed

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhe

Opened Jan 8, 2021 · closed Oct 14, 2021 · action PE21001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
8complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control2
Unspecified2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Steering1
Visibility/Wiper1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

What owners describe

“The fuel pump My car stopped on the highway [XXX] on [XXX] with my children in the car with no warning at all. I was so lucky nobody hit us and it took 20 minutes of trying to start it to get off of the highway to a gas station where it cut off again The dealer said it is a known problem however my vin number was inclu…”Oct 17, 2025 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz S 560. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the warning light was cleared; however, the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed th…”Jul 22, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Had windshield breakage and replacement on 14 December 2023. On 29 January 2024, had an apparent windshield strike (pinhead size) and windshield cracked from middle to top. Within 20 minutes crack had spread all across the top of windshield. While parked crack spread down and completely across the bottom of windshield …”Feb 11, 2024 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other S-Class model years

A

2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

1 recalls · 2 complaints

C

2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2 recalls · 3 complaints

F

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

8 recalls · 10 complaints

F

2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

9 recalls · 44 complaints

F

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

17 recalls · 34 complaints

F

2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

13 recalls · 17 complaints

F

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

14 recalls · 26 complaints

F

2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

10 recalls · 20 complaints

F

2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

7 recalls · 29 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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