Home · 2019 Mercedes-benz S-class Phev · Complaints

What 16 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Mercedes-benz S-class Phev

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 (16)Crash / fire / injury (2)Brakes (3)Engine (3)Steering (3)Fuel system (2)Seat belts (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Airbags (1)Electrical system (1)Suspension (1)

2 of 16 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Feb 4, 2026Electrical systemFire

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while parking their vehicle, a burning-leather odor entered the cabin, and they noticed smoke in the cabin. The contact noticed a small fire beneath the driver's seat. The fire was extinguished with nearby snow. At which time the vehicle's engine failed to start despite the vehicle starting. The windshield wipers would turn over; however, systems like the door locks and the windows fail to activate. The fire department was not called. There were no injuries, and no medical attention was needed. The contact called their insurance company, Progressive, which informed them that there was a recall for the same issue regarding their same year, make, and model. The contact checked their VIN and discovered their vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11715449

Sep 19, 2025BrakesCrash

The car is out of control! It first began a couple of weeks ago when (1) the side view mirrors no longer closed automatically 2) Next, while I was driving, the car yesterday, the seat belt suddenly tightened as the car prepared for a sudden impact (which there was none).3) Today, the car refused to stop when I backed it out of the garage. It hit a tree behind us and the car has a rear dint! I am now fearful of driving this car. It needs major servicing or something!!! I have had it towed in to my local Mercedes-Benz dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11688276

Working with the data? Download all 16 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 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 2019 Mercedes-benz S-class Phev verdict →