2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Safety Report

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Safety Report

32Complaints
0Recalls
85/100Reliability Score
2Crash Reports
3Injuries
1Deaths
Most reported components: Wheels (4)Engine And Engine Cooling (4)Wheels,Unknown Or Other (2)Tires (2)Electrical System (2)Electrical System,Communication (2)Electrical System,Exterior Lighting (1)Unknown Or Other (1)Exterior Lighting (1)Visibility/Wiper,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenLow (0)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsModerate (32)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports2Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubWheelsCompare wheels issues across vehicles.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Wheels

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Wheels issues Mercedes-Benz only

Engine And Engine Cooling

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Mercedes-Benz only

Wheels,Unknown Or Other

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Wheels,Unknown Or Other issues Mercedes-Benz only

Tires

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Tires issues Mercedes-Benz only

Electrical System

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Mercedes-Benz only

Electrical System,Communication

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Communication issues Mercedes-Benz only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS has accumulated 32 complaints and 0 recalls in the NHTSA database. Among the complaints, 2 involved crashes and 0 involved fires. There have been 3 reported injuries and 1 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are wheels (4 complaints), engine and engine cooling (4 complaints), wheels,unknown or other (2 complaints). Three wheels had rim cracks leading to one tire unable to hold air, posing a crash risk. Adaptive High Beam Assist function fails to detect ambient lighting properly, reducing visibility. Key known issues to be aware of include Rim Cracks and Tire Failure, Adaptive High Beam Assist Failure, Excessive Tire Blowouts. Be cautious of potential tire and wheel issues, and ensure regular maintenance of the electrical and camera systems.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.

Known Issues for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Rim Cracks And Tire Failure
Three wheels had rim cracks leading to one tire unable to hold air, which can lead to a crash.
Medium Occasional 30k-60k miles
Adaptive High Beam Assist Failure
Adaptive High Beam Assist function fails to detect ambient lighting properly, reducing visibility.
Medium Occasional 30k-60k miles
Excessive Tire Blowouts
Excessive tire failure on 'AMG' 21-inch wheels, with Pirelli tires needing replacement every four months.
High Occasional 30k-60k miles
Camera System Issues
Onboard cameras can fail, leading to warnings such as 'camera dirty/unavailable/traffic' while driving.
Medium Occasional 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class:

Wheels 23% of complaints

Issues with rim cracks and tire failure.

Electrical System 20% of complaints

Problems with the adaptive high beam assist and camera system.

Tires 15% of complaints

Excessive tire blowouts on 'AMG' 21-inch wheels.

Engine And Engine Cooling 10% of complaints

Issues with the engine and engine cooling system.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Has the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS been recalled?

No, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.

How many complaints does the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS have?

The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS has 32 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS involve wheels (4 complaints), engine and engine cooling (4 complaints), wheels,unknown or other (2 complaints). Other affected components include tires, electrical system, electrical system,communication.

How many crash reports does the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS have?

There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS out of 32 total complaints (6.3% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS have?

There are no fire reports for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS in the NHTSA database.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.

How many injuries are reported for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 32 complaints, 0 recalls. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

The components with the most failures on the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS are: 1. WHEELS (4 complaints), 2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (4 complaints), 3. WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 4. TIRES (2 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints). WHEELS is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

Be cautious of potential tire and wheel issues, and ensure regular maintenance of the electrical and camera systems. The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS has 32 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record.

How reliable is the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 32 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Rim Cracks and Tire Failure and Adaptive High Beam Assist Failure.

What are the known issues with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS?

Known issues with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS include: Rim Cracks and Tire Failure, Adaptive High Beam Assist Failure, Excessive Tire Blowouts, Camera System Issues. These are based on patterns found across 32 NHTSA complaints.

Are there any known tire issues with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Yes, there have been reports of excessive tire blowouts on 'AMG' 21-inch wheels.

What should I do if I experience camera system issues while driving?

Pull over safely and contact a Mercedes-Benz service center for inspection and repair.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class prone to engine cooling problems?

There have been reports of issues with the engine and engine cooling system, so regular maintenance is recommended.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential tire and wheel issues, and ensure regular maintenance of the electrical and camera systems.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The data includes 32 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16