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What 29 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-benz S-class Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (29)Crash / fire / injury (3)Engine (7)Brakes (5)Steering (5)Driver assistance (3)Fuel system (3)Suspension (3)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Airbags (1)Communication (1)Electrical system (1)

3 of 29 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Nov 10, 2025SteeringSuspensionBrakesCrash

Vehicle had a low tire, vehicle indicated it needed to be driven for recalibration of the sensor(s). Took vehicle for short drive up two lane road. Turned around and headed back to where was staying and upon acceleration the vehicle seemed to have pulled off the road but come to find out it didn't at all go off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle sort of jerked and went to the left, causing me to travel over the opposite lane and into the ditch on opposite side of the road, then when pulling out of the ditch the vehicle flipped and overturned skidding on it's top side along the roadway. There was a vehicle coming, they were able to slow but were still impacted by the car as it traveled on it's roof. The vehicle finally came to a stop. After exiting the vehicle, being able to ensure everyone was ok, it was clear the lower control arm on the driver's side was broken in half and that was what had caused the "jerking" and when it seemed like vehicle initially had gone off the right side of the road when it hadn't at all-it was a mechanical malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11698526

Feb 10, 2023SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainFuel systemCrashFire1 injury

Vehicle Check Engine Light turned on a Vehicle Lost power. Vehicle often hesitates upon acceleration. Convertible Top does not close as well intermittently.

NHTSA ODI 11506663

Nov 7, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONSUMER OWNED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ S560. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ALERTED BY SOMEONE THAT THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THIRTY SECONDS TO A MINUTE, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE WERE DESTROYED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALDWELL (1220 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, (973) 227-3600) TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. *LN*JB *AS

NHTSA ODI 11278598

Working with the data? Download all 29 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Mercedes-benz S-class Hybrid verdict →