2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class
Recalls, Specs & Safety Report
This 2021 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the MERCEDES-BENZ brand.
Why This Matters
A clean recall record is a positive signal for both safety and ownership costs. Vehicles with no known defects typically qualify for lower insurance premiums and face fewer unexpected repair expenses.
When negotiating insurance rates, a documented history of zero manufacturer recalls can support your case for preferred pricing.
Expert Analysis
- Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
- Primary Risk Area:Warning
- Vs Brand: Better than avg (0.4)Summary:
Safety & Reliability Score
Score Breakdown
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class
Safety History Timeline
Consumer Complaint Analysis
Most Reported Issue
Complaint Trend
Safety Incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 29 consumer complaints by severity level.
Mileage Failure Analysis
Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 15,414 miles.
No Recalls Found
Perfect Recall Status
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class
Exceptional News! As of January 2026, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class has recorded 0 safety recalls.
Compared to other 2021 models which average multiple safety campaigns, this vehicle's clean sheet is a testament to its engineering integrity.
🛡️ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide
Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 S-Class.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Adaptive High Beam Assist function on vehicle with Multibeam LED headlights with Digital Light System fail to detect ambient lighting properly. Consequently hi-beam lights operate erratically and unpredictably, switching between high and low beams too frequently. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Excessive Tire failure on "AMG" 21 inch wheel and tires. Pirelli tires have replaced 4 tires in four months. cracks in side wall bubbling.
I purchased this car as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Mercedes Benz in December 2024 with 14,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle has factory 21-inch AMG rims. Since that time, I have had to replace 5 tires on this vehicle, all from Mercedes Benz dealerships. I purchased an additional $2,000 tire insurance policy from Mercedes Benz due to this recurrent issue. Due to the size of this rim, these tires are extremely prone to blowing and flats. Furthermore, this vehicle does not come with a spare tire or even with a storage compartment which can accommodate a spare tire. I was under the impression that this is because Mercedes Benz equips these vehicles with run-flat tires, however I recently learned that Mercedes does not offer run-flat tires on the 21 inch rim, leaving customers with no choice to but have the vehicle towed each time a flat tire occurs. I have been stranded on the side of the road 3 times within the past 3 weeks alone. Other customers have experienced and reported similar issues with this vehicle.
I purchased this vehicle used at a dealer in Virginia. I drove it home to Chelsea Alabama, outside Birmingham. After a couple of days, my front right tire went flat. I took it to the dealer and they said the flat tire was caused by a cracked rim and required both to be replaced. Almost $3,000 for tire and rim. I continued to drive the car, maybe 4,000-5,000 miles and I had another tire go flat. This was the drivers side rear tire. This was a Pirelli 285/35 R20 run flat tire. Again when I took it to the dealer, this rim was cracked and also needed to be replaced along with the tire. $2,790. The car has 55,000 miles and is meticulously maintained. And I do not drive on rough roads. The dealer consistently states it was due to “hitting a pot hole” which a) is not the case in both these incidents, and b) a rim should not break from running into regular small imperfections in the road. I’ve been in the auto manufacturing business for 38 years and have never, ever had a rim fail, not once but twice in 4 months on the same vehicle. After investigating, this is happening all over. My feeling is the rim has not been sufficiently designed to support the weight of this vehicle. And now, every time I take the car out, I fear for my life and my families life. Frankly, the car is not safe because the rims can and will crack and split under regular driving conditions! This can cause a blowout and possible injury or death. This cost and the cost of my safety should be covered by Mercedes. They should replace these rims with stronger, more properly designed rims to ensure my families future safety!
I’ve had to replace six tires due to blowouts from hitting small potholes, something I’ve never experienced in the past 40 years of driving other vehicles! This seems to be a manufacturing defect in the vehicle, as the tires can’t support the weight of the car, and any pressure on them causes them to blow out. I’m now hesitant to drive long distances, fearing that one or more tires could blow out at any time. Without a spare tire in the trunk, I’m left stranded. Below are answers to your question: 1. The tires failed, yes they are available for inspection. Also have photos of the damaged tires. 2. The safety of myself and my passengers is at risk, as a tire blowout while driving at 55 mph could potentially cause the vehicle to lose control and result in a serious accident.. 3. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. 4. The vehicles tires have been inspected by an insurance representative and independent service center 5. NO
While on the freeway, going approximately 70 mph, the vehicles onboard cameras all failed and I got a warning that said “camera dirty/unavailable/traffic sign assist currently unavailable”. Because of this failure, I almost crashed the car in Front of me. I cleaned all the cameras. The message continues to appear. The dealer said “it’s a known malfunction with this particular model, based on the chip shortage, during Covid”. My car has 57000 miles and apparently several owners of this model, are experiencing the same issue. Dealer wants to charge $1,800.00 to fix a vehicle safety feature, that shouldn’t fail this soon.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V704000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalls until the contact engages the vehicle in sport mode. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V704000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage was 20,700.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V704000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormal ticking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Every Mercedes Benz manufactured in 2021 has a defective hood lens which prevents the adaptive driver assistance system from working properly. You can have it on and it will work intermittently which can easily cause a major crash. Mercedes Benz says the part is not available in USA or Germany. Every Mercedes is affected. I’ve been waiting over 2 months for the part. My brother, who owns the same car, has been waiting over one month. It’s a major problem because the car is suppose to self drive on the highway and it’s not staying in lane because of this defective hood lens. Hey [XXX] , I apologize for the inconvenience. There have been a few S classes with a similar message to yours. We have to order the camera lens hoods for your vehicle, but they are in back order. We don't have one in stock in the USA or Germany. I could have you stop by the dealership and clean the camera lens hood to temporarily remove the message on the dashboard. I can also order the part while the vehicle is here, and we would have to wait a few months for the part to arrive. When do you have time to stop by the dealership for a few hours? --Karen Hubschmitt - Mercedes-Benz of Brooklyn Sent from my iPhone INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any recalls for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class?
No, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class currently has no recorded recalls from NHTSA.
Is the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class safe to drive?
The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class has no active recalls, which is a positive safety indicator. Always maintain regular service intervals for optimal safety.
Where can I check if my 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class has open recalls?
You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.
Year-over-Year Context
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
If You Own This Vehicle
- No active recalls are recorded, but maintain regular service intervals and report any unusual symptoms to NHTSA.
- Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
If You're Buying Used
- Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
- This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.
This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.