2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas large sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the S580e 4matic, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 10 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Range | kWh/100mi | Charge (240V) | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S580e 4matic | Plug-in hybrid | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 110 kW PMSM | 20 | 29 | 23 (41 MPGe blended) | 56 mi electric | 51 | 2.5 h | $3,550 |
| S500 4matic | Hybrid | AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl + 48V Li-Ion | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | — | $3,550 |
| S580 4matic | Hybrid | AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion | 16 | 25 | 19 | — | — | — | $4,350 |
| S580 4matic Maybach | Hybrid | AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo + 48V Li-Ion | 15 | 25 | 18 | — | — | — | $4,550 |
| Maybach S680 4matic | Gas | AWD | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 12 | 20 | 14 | — | — | — | $5,850 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 47279, 45904, 46057, 46056, 46458.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S580e 4matic | 7 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | SmartWay |
| S500 4matic | 6 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 / California LEV-III ULEV50 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| S580 4matic | 5 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 / California LEV-III ULEV70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| S580 4matic Maybach | 5 / 10 | California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Maybach S680 4matic | 3 / 10 | Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-III ULEV125 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Gas-guzzler tax applies to Maybach S680 4matic — a federal excise the manufacturer pays and prices in.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Specifications filed with NHTSA
Source: NHTSA vPICDimensions Exterior
| Body style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| GVWR class | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
Engine Basics
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement | 3 L |
| Engine configuration | In-Line |
Engine Output
| Horsepower | 429 hp |
Fuel Economy
| Fuel | Gasoline |
Transmission
| Drivetrain | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
Driver assistance
Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert
Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: S500 4MATIC, S580 4MATIC). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.
Dimensions & weight
Source: Transport Canada| Length | 198.0–209.4 in |
| Width (body, without mirrors) | 74.8–76.8 in |
| Height | 55.5–59.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1–126.4 in |
| Track, front | 64.2–65.0 in |
| Track, rear | 65.0 in |
| Curb weight | 4,564–4,817 lb |
| Weight distribution, front/rear | 53/47 |
Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 8 configurations: 4Matic 4-door Sedan LWB, 4Matic 4-door Sedan SWB, S500 4Matic 4-door Sedan SWB, S560 4Matic 2-door Coupe, S560 Cabriolet, S580 4Matic 4-door Sedan LWB …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.
What to check before you buy →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (9)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseElectrical System
2025050003/4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2025030007Engine And Engine Cooling
2024100007Electrical System
2024030008Fuel System, Gasoline
Fuel System, Gasoline
2023070012Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2023060004Electrical System
2023070013These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
Whether any of this applies to one specific S-Class
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2023 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mercedes-Benz publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this S-Class →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported
7.1 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 14,079 S-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2023: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 1
Most-cited components
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
The tire (Pirelli 255/35R21) on my 2023 Mercedes Benz 580V4 developed a bubble on its sidewall. This tire was just replaced February 16, 2024, and has under 8,000 miles on it. This is the fourth tire I have replaced due to bubbles on the sidewalls
The sunroof shattered suddenly while driving. There was no external impact to the vehicle
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Do Not Drive Car" was displayed temporarily. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no issues were found.
While driving on highways using cruise control and adaptive cruise control the vehicle decelerates without driver input. The system also misreads or fails to update speed limit signs causing incorrect cruise speeds and sudden speed changes.
The "distronic" cruise control is so abrupt in its acceleration and declaration that vehicles behind me tend to take evasive action. The car doesn't sense vehicles far enough ahead to take smooth action, resulting in a jarring, favorite, and fearful ride
On I had a blowout on the passenger front side of my vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Sugarland MB and a new Pirelli 255/35 R21 purchased. The blowout happened after I hit a bump (not pothole) in the road on at . My 2023 MB 580V had 9701 miles on it and had just had it's first "A" service with no defects noted in any of the tires.
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Mercedes-Benz itself: 7 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 7 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 50 per 100,000 built. Every S-Class model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.
Driver-assist crash reports (1)
Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-011 no injury reported
Feb 2025 to Feb 2025 · 0 with an air bag deployment · 0 towed
What was engaged, and what was hit
System named: not named in the filings
Crash partner: Passenger Car 1
Filed by: NVIDIA CORP
| Incident | System | Struck | Injury alleged | State | Speed | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | ADS | Passenger Car | no injury reported | CA | — | 30571-10171 |
From the manufacturer’s own filing
The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.
The Mercedes-Benz vehicle was traveling southbound in a parking lot located at [redacted], Santa Clara, CA 95051 when the driver engaged L3 ADS system for a few seconds. The driver then disengaged L3 ADS and continued to drive in conventional mode. The vehicle was manually braked and came to a complete stop.
A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications- 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first · Mercedes-Benz bulletin CL - 05012025In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the…
The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Mercedes-Benz warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →
Most often about: Electrical System, Power Train, Structure, Visibility/Wiper, Exterior Lighting.
- LI47.70-P-079912 Service bulletin2026-09-29 · Electrical System
- Complaint Vehicle will not start after DC charging Warning in the instrument cluster related to High‑voltage on board electrical system The following fault codes related to stuck contactor can be found in the High Voltage Control units : PTCU ‑ N127 (Powertrain control unit) • P154900 ‑ There is a warning due to overcurrent in the charging system of the high‑voltage electric circuit. • P154A00 ‑ T
- LI46.10-P-080896 Service bulletin2026-09-26 · Steering
- Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
- LI27.00-P-073124 Service bulletin2026-09-26 · Power Train
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been developed and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of t
- LI18.00-P-073137 Service bulletin2026-09-26 · Engine
- Complaint Sporadic warning message in instrument cluster "Engine oil pressure, stop switch off vehicle" (or similar) is shown in red on vehicles with low mileage. Cause Directional control valve may stick. Remedy 1‑ Read off oil level in instrument cluster and correct if necessary. 2‑ Perform approx. 10‑15 engine starts, then clear fault codes. 3‑ Perform road test with vehicle. If fault code reoc
- 11038222 Over-the-air update2026-09-25 · Electrical System
- A software update will be performed that provides enhancements to the robustness and system stability of the communication module. The update is free of charge and runs in the background, which takes about 8 minutes to install. During this time, the vehicle can be driven without any restrictions, and the new software will be active with the next ignition cycle. Remedy MBUSA will conduct an OTA se
- LI83.90-P-080935 Service bulletin2026-09-25 · Visibility/Wiper
- Complaint CEL illuminates and/or AC does not blow cold. Cause Potentially relevance to hardware and/or software Remedy Scenario 1: 1. If the AC does not blow cold air, replace compressor (if compressor's index and part number Figure 1 match against Table 1). a. If the compressor does not fall within Table 1, please open a TIPS case. b. Flush procedure must be followed as per WIS. Scenario 2: 1. If
- LI42.10-P-078779 Service bulletin2026-09-22 · Service Brakes
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as
- 2026-09-18 · Visibility/Wiper
- Dear Dealer Partners, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is Thursday, October 8th, 2026. After October 8th, we will no longer accept returns of these parts. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| U019F U019F on Mercedes-Benz → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 6 bulletins |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class failed the emissions check on 2.2% of first inspections — higher than the 1.6% for every 2023 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.33% (every 2023 vehicle: 1.1%).
failed emissions
896 initial inspections of 876 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2023 S-Class | Every 2023 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 2.2% | 1.6% | 889 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 0.33% | 1.1% | 896 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.22% | 0.16% | 896 |
| Miles driven a year | 7,465 | 10,038 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 24,252 | 32,673 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2023 vehicle” is every 2023 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
S-Class by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2023 S-Class
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 9 recall campaigns for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The most serious on file is 26V638000, covering Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it D (60/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Across the 5 EPA-rated configurations of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What are the dimensions of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Transport Canada measured it at 198.0–209.4 in long, 74.8–76.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.5–59.1 in tall, on a 116.1–126.4 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,564–4,817 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.
What do owners complain about on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, most often about forward collision avoidance, tires, fuel/propulsion system. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 1 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
The EPA smog rating for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class runs 3 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV50, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
The manufacturer has filed 1279 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, most often covering electrical system, power train, structure. The most recent is dated 2026-09-29. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class failed the emissions check on 2.2% of first inspections — higher than the 1.6% for every 2023 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.33% (every 2023 vehicle: 1.1%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 5 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 5 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 9 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 10 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | none | NHTSA NCAP | NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe. |
| Service bulletins | 1279 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | none | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | No defect investigation has been opened. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | 1 | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | 9 fields | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder. |
| Measured dimensions | 7 fields | Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications | Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | none | Manufacturer press kit | We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.