2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems and recalls

50% of owner complaints on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class related to the Engine (7 of 14).

14
Complaints
0
Recalls
1
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
0
Injuries
62.2
Severity index

Severity index 62.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 62.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 7 complaints (50.0%)7 50%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 5 complaints (35.7%)5 36%Power TrainPower Train: 3 complaints (21.4%)3 21%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 2 complaints (14.3%)2 14%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 2 complaints (14.3%)2 14%SteeringSteering: 1 complaints (7.1%)1 7%Electronic Stability Co…Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1 complaints (7.1%)1 7%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 1 complaints (7.1%)1 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE750.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM535.7%
POWER TRAIN321.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM214.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL214.3%
STEERING17.1%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)17.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER17.1%

Complaints filed per year

0242012: 12015: 22016: 42019: 42021: 12022: 12024: 1121516419212224
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20121
20152
20164
20194
20211
20221
20241
Filings in 2021 to 2024 ran 0.3x those in 2015 to 2019 (3 against 10).

Other Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 10 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.