2020 Mercedes-Benz S-class

Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-class: common problems and reliability

An average S-class year.

21 owner complaints, most about vehicle speed control. 1 recall.

Should I buy a 2020 S-class?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-class has 21 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are vehicle speed control and fuel/propulsion system.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

21
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-class vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other S-class years only. How we score it

Is 2020 a good year for the S-class?

Across the 24 S-class model years we track, complaint volume runs from 13 (2009) to 133 (2002). With 21 complaints, the 2020 S-class sits below the model's median of 34.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

vehicle speed control
7
fuel/propulsion system
3
visibility/wiper
3
steering
3
electronic stability control (esc)
3

Recalls affecting the 2020 S-class

power train:driveline:universal joint

Campaign 26V216000

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 4MATIC Sedan, E 400 4MATIC Wagon, E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 400 4MATIC Coupe, 2018-2020 Maybach S 560 4MATIC, S 560 4MATIC Coupe, S 450 4MATIC, 2019-2020 E 450 4MATIC Sedan, E 450 4MATIC Wagon, E 450 4MATIC Coupe, and E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet vehicles. The drive shaft universal joint may break, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

What owners say across generations

\nSentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and model year.

Owner insights cover all generations of the S-class. See the full S-class owner picture and every model year.

Other S-class model years

Compare every S-class year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.

2025 S-class2024 S-class2023 S-class2022 S-class2021 S-class2019 S-class2018 S-class2017 S-class2016 S-class2015 S-class2014 S-class2013 S-class2012 S-class2011 S-class2010 S-class2009 S-class2008 S-class2007 S-class2006 S-class2005 S-class2004 S-class2003 S-class2002 S-class

Compare the S-class against its rivals

S-class vs Bentley MulsanneS-class vs BMW 7 SeriesS-class vs BMW i7S-class vs Cadillac CT6

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