2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Hybrid Gas Large car
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the S500 4matic, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 44 complaints, most often about forward collision avoidance.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S500 4matic | Hybrid | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl + 48V Li-Ion | 21 | 30 | 24 | $3,250 |
| S580 4matic | Hybrid | AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,100 |
| S580 4matic Maybach | Hybrid | AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 |
| Maybach S680 4matic | Gas | AWD | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 12 | 21 | 15 | $5,150 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
Compare coverage →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Data on this page is never influenced by that.
Recalls (9)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
highProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 S 500, Maybach S 580 4MATIC, 2021-2023 S 580 4MATIC, 2022 S 680 4MATIC, and 2023 S 580e 4MATIC vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025030007.
Engine And Engine Cooling
criticalProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. In the event of a mechanical failure in the engine Camtronic system, the engine control unit (ECU) software may cause the engine to overheat or stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, an engine that overheats can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 15, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on November 15, 2024, January 10, 2025, and February 21, 2025. Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz Customer Service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100007.
Fuel System, Gasoline
highProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.
Fuel System, Gasoline
highProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Structure
highProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2022 S 500 vehicle. The dashboard may be insufficiently attached, which can result in an improper front passenger air bag deployment in the event of a crash.
Risk: Improper deployment of an air bag can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace a portion of the dashboard, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023010001.
Power Train
criticalProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 S580Z, S500V, and S580V vehicles. The sub frame weld for the thrust arm on the rear axle carrier may have been improperly welded, causing the thrust arm to break and detach.
Risk: A detached thrust arm can cause a sudden loss of vehicle control, or cause the vehicle to pull to one side during emergency braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will inspect the sub frame weld on the rear axle carrier and replace the rear axle carrier as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030028.
Steering
highProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel. Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system.
Risk: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
Electrical System
minorProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 EQS450, S500, and S580 vehicles. The communication module software may restrict or disable the emergency call system (eCall).
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022010006.
Electrical System
minorProblem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S580, 2022 EQS450, EQS580, and S500 vehicles with an active and connected Mercedes me connect account. The MBUX infotainment system might allow activation of the television and internet display while driving, causing a distraction for the driver.
Risk: Driver distraction can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA has updated their computer server to correct the issue for most vehicles, free of charge. For vehicles that were not able to be updated remotely, dealers will provide the software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 25, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Owner complaints
44 complaints filed
0 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2022: 9 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 4
Most-cited components
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 18
- Electrical System — 11
- Service Brakes — 7
- Tires — 6
- Engine — 6
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
NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Other S-Class model years
2027 S-Class
0 recalls · 0 complaints
A2026 S-Class
0 recalls · 0 complaints
A2025 S-Class
1 recalls · 2 complaints
C2024 S-Class
2 recalls · 3 complaints
F2023 S-Class
8 recalls · 10 complaints
F2021 S-Class
17 recalls · 34 complaints
F2020 S-Class
6 recalls · 8 complaints
F2019 S-Class
13 recalls · 17 complaints
F2018 S-Class
14 recalls · 26 complaints
F2017 S-Class
10 recalls · 20 complaints
F2016 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 (ids 44761, 44893, 44892, 45591). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.