2015 Mercedes Benz S Class Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Mercedes Benz S Class has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Panoramic roof glass cracking or shattering.” Mercedes-Benz alternates two service events: Service A (oil, filter, inspection) at roughly 10,000 miles or 1 year, then Service B (Service A plus brake fluid, cabin filter, and deeper checks) at roughly 20,000 miles or 2 years — the ASSYST Plus counter in the cluster tells you which is due. Oil must carry the MB-Approval number your engine specifies (commonly 229.5, or 229.71 for newer 0W-20 engines); 'meets or exceeds' marketing language is not an approval. Electric EQB and EQS models keep the A/B rhythm for inspections, brake fluid, and cabin filters — just without oil.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Mercedes Benz S Class.

Reported to NHTSA

Panoramic roof glass cracking or shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

9 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 to 2025-04

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND. THE GLASS ON THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND BROKE OFF IN CHUNKS HITTING DRIVER REPEATEDLY UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE GLASS COLLAPSED. GLASS SHARDS CUT DRIVER. MBWORLD SHOWS SIMILAR INCIDENTS TO OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10715024
I am writing to report an incident that occurred on Oct 17 2023 involving my 2015 Mercedes Benz S550, where the front portion of the two-part sunroof spontaneously exploded while I was driving down the highway. On the aforementioned date, at approximately 5 pm, I was traveling
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11550522
The panoramic sunroof on my 2015 Mercedes’ Benz S550 e has malfunctioned in the closed position. The sunroof could detach and fly off the car during operation. The dealer has inspected and identified the problem. There was no warning sign before the sunroof failed
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449435

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Rear seat belt fails to retract

SEAT BELTS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 to 2025-03

The rear seatbelts do not retract to restrain the passenger. They also don't retract after the passenger has exited the vehicle
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646218
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that the rear driver's side seat belt was inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to retract as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed seat belt retractor
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11591722
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 10 MONTHS THAT THE SEAT BELTS WILL BE REPLACED BY MB IN THIS CAR. MB DEALERS STATES THAT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN AND MB IS WORKING ON A FIX. IN THE MEANTIME THEY ARE REPLACING THE SEAT BELTS WITH A NEW PART,
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898358

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Wheel rim cracking

WHEELS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 to 2019-06

THE RIMS ON THE CAR CRACKING. I REPLACED THE RIMS IN THE TWO FRONT WHEELS AND NOW THE RIGHT REAR RIM IS CRACKED, I HAVE REPORTED THIS PREVIOUSLY TO YOUR COMMISSION INCLUDING SENDING PICTURES. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. IN THE FUTURE PROBABLY THE 4TH WHEEL
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220943
AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR ~20K MILES, IT WAS TIME TO TAKE IT IN FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS EXPECTED SEEING AS THE STOCK TIRES ARE A SOFT COMPOUND TIRE. WHILE AT THE TIRE SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT PASSENGER RIM, AND REAR DRIVER SIDE RIM, WE BOTH CRACKED. THE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10981187
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10920279

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Power steering assist loss

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 to 2026-01

I loss my electric steering assist!!! Takes 2 gorillas to turn the wheel i was able to stop without crashing into anything
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11714612
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while parking the vehicle he noticed that the "power steering malfunction" light was illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that he waited and then restarted the vehicle and
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460454
THE STEERING COLUMN WENT BAD. IT STARTED MAKING NOISE, BUT NOT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT, IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CRASHED. THE CAR ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11327375

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Air bags fail to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 to 2020-08

ON JULY 15, 2020, I WAS INVOLVED IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT. THE CAR LEFT THE ROADWAY ON A CURVE WHEN I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO A MEDICAL ISSUE, AND SLID DOWN AN EMBANKMENT INTO A TREE. THE TREE PREVENTED A TOTAL ROLLOVER AND THE CAR WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. I WAS THROWN AGAINST
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349200
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 2015 MERCEDES BENZ S-550 ON THE 14TH OF AUGUST, 2019. SHE HAD STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN CROSSED A 6 LANE INTERSECTION. SHE WAS MOVING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY A VW PASSET WHO RAN THE RED LIGHT AT AN ESTIMATED 40 TO
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298177
NEW VEHICLE (FROM MERCEDES OF ENCINO) WAS BEING DRIVEN IN A TEST DRIVE. EB ON BURBANK BL-SPEED LIMIT 50MPH--IN CENTER LANE OF 3 EB- MBZ SALESMAN REACHED ACROSS DRIVER AND SET CRUISE AT 40MPH AND ENCOURAGED DRIVER TO TEST THE COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM---TRAFFIC AHEAD WAS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10693683

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Door opens while indicated locked

STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 to 2024-05

The driver side reader door can be opened when the door is locked. The door can be inspected on request. The risk is that the door can be opened when the door is indicated as locked. There are no lights to the contrary. The car is inspected by Mercedes dealer at McFarland in
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11588378
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INDICATE THAT IT IS LOCKED, AND DESPITE THIS, IT CAN BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT A KEY OR REMOTE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140401
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST CAUSED A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE MEDIAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11006490

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Vehicle fire during operation

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-04 to 2023-03

I'm reporting a problem that can cause the vehicle to catch on fire. During cold temperatures the heated windshield will turn on and the car will catch on fire
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11513428
I drove my 2015 MERCEDES BENZ S550 4MATIC APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES TO WORK, PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, I WAS ALERTED BY PEMBROKE PINES POLICE (CASE# PPPD22OFF050792) THAT MY CAR WAS BURNING WHEN I GOT TO THE PARKING LOT PEMBROKE PINES FIRE DEPT WAS IN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492024
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE STARTED TO SMELL BURNING BRAKE PAD ODOR INSIDE OF THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARK BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK AT A
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11320997

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Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 17, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 17, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Service A — Oil & Filter + Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: oil and filter with MB-Approved oil, fluid top-offs, tire check, and inspection. AMG models driven hard: many owners service at 5,000-7,500 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Service B — Major Inspection

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years, alternating with Service A: everything in A plus brake-fluid replacement, cabin filter, and a deeper multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and driveline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every Service A where the tire sizes allow. Many AMG and 4MATIC+ models run staggered widths that can't rotate front-to-rear — check your spec before paying for a rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Checked at every A/B service via electronic pad-wear sensors. Replace sensors with pads. Heavy EQS models wear pads slowly (regen braking) but rotors can corrode from disuse — an inspection catches that.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced every 2 years as part of Service B — Mercedes schedules it on time, not miles, because DOT 4 fluid absorbs moisture regardless of driving.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7G / 9G-Tronic)

Every 70,000 mi

Mercedes specifies fluid and filter service around 70,000 miles on most 7G- and 9G-Tronic gearboxes — check your year's sheet. Use only the MB-spec fluid for your transmission code; independent specialists often service at 60,000 on hard-driven cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Most modern MB gas engines: plugs around 60,000 miles — AMG engines often sooner. Check your engine's sheet; twin-turbo V8 plug jobs are labor-heavy, so pair with other scheduled work.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace around every 40,000 miles (twin-filter setups on V6/V8 engines double the parts bill). Inspected at every Service B.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Combination / Dust Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced with every Service B. Models with the ENERGIZING air package use a higher-grade filter — priced accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

MB-spec coolant is long-life (typically ~10 years / 150,000 miles on the sheet). Refresh only with MB 325/326-spec coolant — the wrong chemistry attacks aluminum and head gaskets.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

12V & Auxiliary Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Most modern Mercedes carry a second auxiliary battery; a weak one triggers cascading warning messages long before a no-start. EQ models also depend on the 12V system to boot.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Mercedes Benz S Class reflects Mercedes-Benz's published service intervals and the ASSYST Plus (Service A / Service B) system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.