2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 51 complaints with NHTSA after 12 years, or 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most S-Class years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

51

Per year

4

Recalls

0

Years on the road

12

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Seat belts (8 of 51), then Electrical system (6) and Structure (6). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2014 and 2016

The 2014 S-Class has 25 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2016 has 29 complaints, 2 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2016.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (51 total)

Seat belts
8
Electrical system
6
Structure
6
Air bags
5
Wheels
5
Steering
4
Engine
3
Service brakes
3
Visibility
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Powertrain
2
Tires
2
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Speed control
1
Suspension
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

5

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22014220154201632017320182201972020320213202282023620247202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I loss my electric steering assist!!! Takes 2 gorillas to turn the wheel i was able to stop without crashing into anything"
    Steering · filed 2026-01-30
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were…"
    Fuel system, gasoline, Hydraulic brakes · filed 2025-08-05
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated, with the message "Front Drivers Air Bag Malfunction - Service Required"…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-06-05
  • "Brought my vehicle to my mechanic because of noise that recently appeared in my car. To my surprise the mechanic stated that my engine is completely failing and would require an entire new engine. I purchased this car…"
    Wheels, Engine · filed 2025-04-17
  • "Roof panel between windshield and panoramic sunroof has developed fine hairline fractures on the polycarbonate panel. Why wasn't my vehicle included in recall 21V-197? Thanks for your time."
    Structure · filed 2025-04-08

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4 DR RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid 4 DR 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid 4 DR RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

W222, 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan, Coupe, Cabriolet
Oil 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 (S 550) , 8.5 qt capacity
Tire size 245/45R19 (common); AMG staggered larger (trim dependent) front / 245/45R19 or 275/40R19 staggered (trim dependent) rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-449 covers certain 2017-2019 S-Class vehicles (with C-Class, E-Class, and related coupe/convertible/CLS models) where an unfastened front seat belt may trigger only a steady warning lamp instead of the intended blinking lamp and audible tone. Dealers update instrument-cluster software. NHTSA complaints on 2015 S-Class filings most often name seat belts, structure, and the electrical system.

Compare

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 51 complaints with NHTSA after 12 years, or 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most S-Class years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The complaints owners file most often name Seat belts (8 of 51), then Electrical system (6) and Structure (6). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2014 S-Class has 25 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2016 has 29 complaints, 2 per year. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has more complaints per year than the 2016.

Has the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with NHTSA.

What oil does a Mercedes-Benz S-Class take?

W222 S 550 lists 0W-30/0W-40/5W-30/5W-40 (~8.5 qt); W223 S 500 lists 0W-40 or 5W-40 (~7.7 qt). Verify the MB approval sheet on the oil container.

What does recall 21V-843 cover on the S-Class?

Certain 2021-2022 S 580 and Maybach S 580 vehicles (9,120 units across those nameplates) where engine wiring may be incorrect—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.

Which S-Class generations does this site track?

W222 (2012-2020) and W223 (2021-on).