The manufacturer filed it. Here it is, by model.
Early Warning Reporting · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz S-Class: deaths and injuries the manufacturer reported to NHTSA
Mercedes-Benz reported 129 incidents alleging a death or injury in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, model years 2002–2025, in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21), through 2026 Q1. Each is a claim the manufacturer received, not a finding; NHTSA does not verify them.
129 incidents reported
11 deaths, as claimed
150 injuries, as claimed
2002–2025 model years named
By model year
Source: manufacturer EWR death and injury reports and production reports| Model year | Incidents | Killed | Injured | Built | Per 100,000 built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 2 | — | — |
| 2007 | 9 | 1 | 8 | — | — |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 | 5 | — | — |
| 2009 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | — |
| 2010 | 4 | 1 | 3 | — | — |
| 2011 | 5 | 2 | 4 | — | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 | 4 | — | — |
| 2013 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | 10 | — | — |
| 2015 | 28 | 1 | 34 | — | — |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 18,337 | 60 |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 15,651 | 51 |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 14,739 | 54 |
| 2019 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 14,861 | 34 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 10,862 | 37 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9,534 | 31 |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 17,202 | 35 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14,079 | 50 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7,529 | 13 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6,662 | 15 |
The model year is the one the manufacturer named in the report. A model year with its own page links to it. “Built” is the manufacturer’s cumulative production for the model year from its latest Early Warning production report; the rate is incidents per 100,000 of them.
By the system the claimant named
Source: as the manufacturer reported it| System named | Incidents | Killed |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 50 | 6 |
| Service Brake System | 21 | 0 |
| Power Train | 18 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 0 |
| Service Brake System, Air | 14 | 0 |
| Structure | 13 | 0 |
| Forward Collision | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 0 |
| Latch | 9 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 1 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Cooling System | 4 | 0 |
| Fire | 4 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 0 |
| ESC | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 |
| Steering System | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake System | 1 | 0 |
| No System/Component Specified | 1 | 1 |
An incident naming several systems is counted under each. “Fire” and “Other” are categories in the rule, not systems.
Every one of these, dated and numbered
The defect dossier for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class puts each report beside the recalls, investigations, bulletins and owner complaints on the same system, as a PDF and two CSVs: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, one system, every model year, numbered as exhibits.
The incidents
Source: VIN shown as NHTSA publishes it: the first eleven characters| Incident | Model year | State | Killed | Injured | Systems named | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-01 | 2022 | TX | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air | 2025 Q4 |
| 2025-08-24 | 2025 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Service Brake System, Air | 2025 Q3 |
| 2025-06-10 | 2023 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Vehicle Speed Control | 2025 Q2 |
| 2025-03-09 | 2023 | TU | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2025 Q3 |
| 2024-10-31 | 2022 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Vehicle Speed Control | 2024 Q4 |
| 2024-09-26 | 2021 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2024 Q3 |
| 2024-08-22 | 2024 | CA | 0 | 4 | Power Train | 2024 Q3 |
| 2024-02-23 | 2021 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2024 Q1 |
| 2023-12-18 | 2023 | UT | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2023 Q4 |
| 2023-11-22 | 2016 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2023 Q4 |
| 2023-11-10 | 2016 | FL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Service Brake System, Air | 2023 Q4 |
| 2023-10-09 | 2023 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seats | 2024 Q2 |
| 2023-10-08 | 2023 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Vehicle Speed Control | 2023 Q4 |
| 2023-08-30 | 2015 | NC | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2023 Q3 |
| 2023-08-09 | 2023 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air | 2023 Q3 |
| 2023-05-12 | 2023 | MD | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Vehicle Speed Control | 2023 Q2 |
| 2023-04-30 | 2018 | GA | 0 | 4 | Fuel System · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2023 Q2 |
| 2022-11-24 | 2022 | TX | 0 | 4 | Lane Departure | 2023 Q1 |
| 2022-10-16 | 2022 | TN | 0 | 1 | ESC | 2022 Q4 |
| 2022-08-17 | 2022 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air | 2022 Q3 |
| 2022-04-10 | 2022 | FL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-04-01 | 2020 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2022 Q2 |
| 2022-02-13 | 2021 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Vehicle Speed Control · Power Train | 2023 Q1 |
| 2021-10-31 | 2014 | LA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Structure | 2021 Q4 |
| 2021-10-24 | 2020 | CA | 0 | 3 | Air Bags | 2021 Q4 |
| 2021-09-12 | 2014 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-08-09 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-07-31 | 2015 | NC | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2021 Q3 |
| 2021-06-21 | 2018 | TX | 0 | 2 | Forward Collision | 2021 Q2 |
| not reported | 2020 | NY | 0 | 1 | Tires · Wheels | 2021 Q2 |
| 2021-04-15 | 2012 | MD | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2021 Q2 |
| 2021-03-19 | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Steering System · Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2021 Q1 |
| 2020-10-25 | 2019 | MA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Structure | 2020 Q4 |
| 2020-09-26 | 2019 | FL | 0 | 2 | Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2021 Q1 |
| 2020-09-10 | 2016 | WA | 0 | 3 | Engine and Cooling System | 2020 Q3 |
| 2020-08-27 | 2020 | OH | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · ESC | 2021 Q1 |
| not reported | 2017 | PA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Fire | 2020 Q1 |
| not reported | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Power Train | 2020 Q1 |
| 2020-02-18 | 2019 | FL | 2 | 0 | Power Train | 2020 Q1 |
| 2019-12-16 | 2015 | IL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2020 Q1 |
| not reported | 2017 | FL | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Structure · Latch | 2019 Q4 |
| not reported | 2016 | IL | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-11-22 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Structure · Latch | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-10-29 | 2016 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2019 Q4 |
| 2019-09-11 | 2014 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-09-01 | 2018 | TX | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2021 Q1 |
| not reported | 2017 | FL | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Structure · Latch | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-08-19 | 2016 | TN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-08-14 | 2015 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-05-21 | 2015 | TX | 1 | 0 | Power Train | 2019 Q2 |
| 2019-05-05 | 2018 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2019 Q3 |
| 2019-04-03 | 2018 | CA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2019 Q2 |
| 2019-02-13 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 1 | Steering System · Lane Departure · Forward Collision | 2019 Q1 |
| 2019-01-16 | 2018 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q1 |
| 2019-01-14 | 2016 | MO | 0 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control · Power Train | 2019 Q1 |
| 2018-12-12 | 2019 | NY | 0 | 1 | Forward Collision | 2018 Q4 |
| 2018-11-06 | 2019 | FL | 0 | 2 | Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2019 Q1 |
| 2018-09-19 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Latch | 2018 Q4 |
| 2018-09-02 | 2018 | MA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Air Bags · Forward Collision | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-08-13 | 2009 | CA | 0 | 2 | Engine and Cooling System | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-06-14 | 2018 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Vehicle Speed Control · Power Train | 2018 Q3 |
| 2018-05-06 | 2010 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-04-22 | 2009 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-04-08 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 1 | Structure · Latch | 2018 Q2 |
| 2018-01-17 | 2017 | NV | 0 | 1 | Forward Collision | 2018 Q1 |
| 2017-11-14 | 2015 | TX | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2017 Q4 |
| 2017-11-07 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 2 | Service Brake System · Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2017 Q4 |
| 2017-10-26 | 2014 | AL | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2017 Q4 |
| 2017-10-23 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Engine and Cooling System | 2018 Q2 |
| 2017-08-05 | 2015 | WI | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2017 Q3 |
| 2017-07-20 | 2008 | FL | 0 | 1 | Structure · Wheels | 2017 Q3 |
| 2017-06-04 | 2011 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2017 Q2 |
| 2017-05-20 | 2015 | PA | 0 | 1 | Latch | 2017 Q2 |
| 2017-05-13 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Seat Belts | 2017 Q2 |
| 2017-04-06 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 1 | Parking Brake System · Power Train | 2017 Q2 |
| 2017-03-30 | 2013 | TX | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2017 Q1 |
| 2017-03-12 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 1 | Structure · Latch | 2017 Q1 |
| 2017-03-01 | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2019 Q2 |
| 2017-01-15 | 2016 | CA | 0 | 1 | Tires | 2017 Q1 |
| 2017-01-13 | 2012 | CA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Seats · Fire | 2017 Q1 |
| 2016-12-14 | 2015 | MD | 0 | 1 | Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2016 Q4 |
| 2016-11-28 | 2013 | CA | 0 | 1 | Electrical System · Seats · Fire | 2017 Q1 |
| 2016-11-14 | 2017 | CA | 0 | 3 | Service Brake System · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2017 Q1 |
| 2016-06-25 | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2016 Q3 |
| 2016-05-30 | 2014 | NY | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2016 Q2 |
| 2016-05-16 | 2010 | IL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Air Bags | 2016 Q2 |
| 2016-04-07 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags · Seat Belts | 2017 Q3 |
| 2016-04-02 | 2016 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System, Air | 2016 Q2 |
| 2016-02-17 | 2007 | TX | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q1 |
| 2016-01-10 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-12-05 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2018 Q3 |
| 2015-11-09 | 2007 | FL | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-10-29 | 2008 | MI | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2016 Q1 |
| 2015-10-23 | 2015 | FL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System · Engine and Cooling System · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2015 Q4 |
| 2015-09-23 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Structure · Latch | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-09-18 | 2013 | CH | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2015 Q4 |
| 2015-07-20 | 2015 | WA | 0 | 1 | Structure · Latch | 2015 Q4 |
| 2015-07-16 | 2007 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-05-29 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q3 |
| 2015-04-23 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 1 | Structure | 2015 Q2 |
| not reported | 2014 | AK | 0 | 2 | Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| not reported | 2006 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| 2014-12-21 | 2012 | FL | 0 | 1 | Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control | 2015 Q1 |
| not reported | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 2014 Q4 |
| not reported | 2015 | NY | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2014 Q4 |
| 2014-10-11 | 2015 | CA | 0 | 2 | Service Brake System, Air · Forward Collision | 2015 Q1 |
| 2014-09-18 | 2011 | NJ | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q4 |
| not reported | 2014 | MA | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2014 Q1 |
| 2014-02-13 | 2011 | FL | 0 | 1 | Service Brake System | 2015 Q2 |
| 2014-02-12 | 2014 | MI | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2014 Q1 |
| 2013-10-22 | 2013 | CH | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2013 Q4 |
| 2013-09-21 | 2007 | CA | 0 | 1 | Seats · Other | 2013 Q3 |
| not reported | 2008 | IL | 0 | 1 | Seat Belts · Other | 2013 Q3 |
| 2013-08-10 | 2007 | MI | 0 | 1 | Other | 2013 Q3 |
| not reported | 2008 | VA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Vehicle Speed Control | 2013 Q2 |
| not reported | 2007 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q4 |
| 2012-09-25 | 2006 | CA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2015 Q1 |
| 2012-09-21 | 2007 | NY | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q4 |
| not reported | 2008 | MN | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Seat Belts · Other | 2012 Q3 |
| not reported | 2005 | NY | 0 | 1 | Other | 2012 Q3 |
| not reported | 2011 | TX | 1 | 1 | Fire · Other | 2012 Q2 |
| not reported | 2010 | NJ | 1 | 0 | No System/Component Specified | 2012 Q2 |
| 2012-05-26 | 2007 | CH | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2014 Q4 |
| not reported | 2007 | NV | 0 | 1 | Air Bags | 2012 Q1 |
| 2011-12-11 | 2010 | CA | 0 | 1 | Power Train | 2012 Q1 |
| 2011-11-12 | 2009 | IN | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2011 Q4 |
| 2011-08-24 | 2011 | CH | 1 | 0 | Air Bags | 2012 Q1 |
| 2011-02-02 | 2003 | GA | 0 | 1 | Air Bags · Other | 2011 Q1 |
| 2007-11-24 | 2002 | SC | 1 | 1 | Air Bags · Seat Belts | 2010 Q4 |
Each row above is a claim or notice Mercedes-Benz received alleging a death or injury in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and reported to NHTSA as 49 CFR 579.21 requires; NHTSA does not verify it, and a S-Class that sold more will have more rows. All Mercedes-Benz models · What these reports are, and are not.