Mercedes-Benz · Large car
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Every model year 2016–2027: recalls, owner complaints, NHTSA crash ratings and EPA efficiency side by side.
| Year | Powertrains | Safety | Recalls | Complaints | Crash | Best efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | HybridGas | A | 0 | 0 | — | 23 mpg | |
| 2026 | HybridGas | A | 0 | 0 | — | 23 mpg | |
| 2025 | Plug-in hybridHybridGas | A | 1 | 2 | — | 24 mpg | |
| 2024 | HybridGas | C | 2 | 3 | — | 24 mpg | |
| 2023 | Plug-in hybridHybridGas | F | 8 | 10 | — | 23 mpg | |
| 2022 | HybridGas | F | 9 | 44 | — | 24 mpg | |
| 2021 | HybridGas | F | 17 | 34 | — | 24 mpg | |
| 2020 | Plug-in hybridGas | F | 6 | 8 | — | 23 mpg | |
| 2019 | Plug-in hybridGas | F | 13 | 17 | — | 23 mpg | |
| 2018 | Gas | F | 14 | 26 | — | 22 mpg | |
| 2017 | Plug-in hybridGas | F | 10 | 20 | — | 26 mpg | |
| 2016 | Plug-in hybridGas | F | 7 | 29 | — | 26 mpg |
What changed year to year
- 2026: dropped plug-in hybrid; best combined mpg 24 → 23; 6 → 4 EPA configurations
- 2025: added plug-in hybrid; 4 → 6 EPA configurations
- 2024: dropped plug-in hybrid; best combined mpg 23 → 24; 5 → 4 EPA configurations
- 2023: added plug-in hybrid; best combined mpg 24 → 23; 4 → 5 EPA configurations
- 2022: 7 → 4 EPA configurations
- 2021: added hybrid; dropped plug-in hybrid; best combined mpg 23 → 24; 13 → 7 EPA configurations
- 2020: 15 → 13 EPA configurations
- 2019: added plug-in hybrid; best combined mpg 22 → 23; 14 → 15 EPA configurations
- 2018: dropped plug-in hybrid; best combined mpg 26 → 22; 12 → 14 EPA configurations
- 2017: 9 → 12 EPA configurations
Best S-Class years to buy used
- 2025 — Safety A, 1 recalls, 2 complaints
- 2024 — Safety C, 2 recalls, 3 complaints
- 2020 — Safety F, 6 recalls, 8 complaints
- 2016 — Safety F, 7 recalls, 29 complaints
- 2023 — Safety F, 8 recalls, 10 complaints
Ranked by Safety Signal, then fewest complaints. Older years have had more time to accumulate both.