2019 Mercedes-Benz S 560 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 560, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering228.6%
- Engine114.3%
- Fuel system114.3%
- Powertrain (other)114.3%
- Seat belts114.3%
- Suspension114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEERING SHIFTER WOULD NOT CHANGE THE CAR INTO PARK NOR NEW RAM, FROM DRIVE. AFF'L, THE SHIFTER INSTEAD BEGAN OPERATING THE NAVIGATION MAP CURSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH OF THE 3 TIMES IT HAPPENED IN ONE DAY.
FROM DAY ONE DELIVERY, CAR TECHNOLOGY DIDN'T WORK. A COUPLE OF MONTHS, MORE PROBLEMS BEGAN: ODD SECURITY WARNINGS - CAR WOULDN'T LET ME PUT INTO PARK, NOR NEUTRAL, NOR REVERSE. THIS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, SETTING STILL, IN 3 RURAL LOCATIONS. INSTEAD THE SHIFTER OPERATED THE CENTRAL NAVIGATION MAP DIRECTIONS! TWO DEALERS COULDN'T FIX. INVESTIGATION INTO HISTORY, THE CAR HAD UNDISCLOSED DAMAGE TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTER. PARTS WERE REPLACED BEFORE BEING TITLED TO ME. MERCEDES REFUSED TO ASSIST. AT MY EXPENSE I HAD CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WORKED ON THE COLUMN SHIFTER REPLACEMENT. THEY DETERMINED THE CAR WAS NEVER SET UP PROPERLY BY THE DEALER, AND THEY ALSO REPLACED RELAYS FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. MERCEDES REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY OF THIS EVEN AFTER THE THIRD DEALER REMEDIED. THE FACT THEY DIDN'T SET UP SECURITY PROPERLY, CAUSING POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS UNABLE TO SHIFT CAR TRANSMISSION AND THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OF CAR NOT SET UP ON DEALER SIDE, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THEY ALSO NEVER DISCLOSED THIS CAR FOR ADAQUATE OPERATION NEEDS TO INTERACT WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS. I CAN SEE ADDITIONAL FEATURES RELYING I THIS, BUT A CAR SHOULD NEVER BE INACCESSIBLE TO THE OWNER WHO HAD KEYS IN HAND, AND OWNER DID SET UP HER PROFILE IN THE CAR AND WITH HER PHONE. I WAS TOLD THE FAILURES WERE FAULTY SOFTWARE, FAULTY RELAYS, AND THE ORIGINAL DEALER MUST SET UP CAR FOR PROPER SECURITY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED A DEALER WHO DIDN'T SET UP A CAR CORRECTLY. BUT THE FIRST TIME IT NEVER INTERFERED WITH THE CAR OPERATION. OVERALL THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME AT THE SHOP THAN IN MY POSSESSION THE 7 MONTHS I LEASED IT. MERCEDES ALSO WOULDN'T LET ME PUT OF THE LEASE AND I HAD TO PAY SUBSTANTIAL MONEY TO BUY OUT THE CAR. MERCEDES I'M CONVINCED THOUGHT I WAS SCAMMING THEM TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I'VE NEVER BEEN TREATED WITH SUCH DISRESPECT OVER A DANGEROUS MATTER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the battery auxiliary warning message would appear on instrument panel. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where they stated that water in the fuel tank had caused the failure; the fuel was drained and replaced with the gasoline at the dealer. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that she had compromised the vehicle and that she had to pay for any future repairs to the vehicle, which the contact objected to. After the third failure, the contact was informed that the fuel in her vehicle would be sent to the manufacturer to be tested. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was assured that they would test both the fuel and the vehicle however, the contact had yet to receive an update about the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT SHAKING, AND SHUT DOWN, DECREASE FROM 60 TO 0 MPH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the battery auxiliary warning message would appear on instrument panel. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where they stated that water in the fuel tank had caused the failure; the fuel was drained and replaced with the gasoline at the dealer. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that she had compromised the vehicle and that she had to pay for any future repairs to the vehicle, which the contact objected to. After the third failure, the contact was informed that the fuel in her vehicle would be sent to the manufacturer to be tested. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was assured that they would test both the fuel and the vehicle however, the contact had yet to receive an update about the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT SHAKING, AND SHUT DOWN, DECREASE FROM 60 TO 0 MPH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
FROM DAY ONE DELIVERY, CAR TECHNOLOGY DIDN'T WORK. A COUPLE OF MONTHS, MORE PROBLEMS BEGAN: ODD SECURITY WARNINGS - CAR WOULDN'T LET ME PUT INTO PARK, NOR NEUTRAL, NOR REVERSE. THIS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, SETTING STILL, IN 3 RURAL LOCATIONS. INSTEAD THE SHIFTER OPERATED THE CENTRAL NAVIGATION MAP DIRECTIONS! TWO DEALERS COULDN'T FIX. INVESTIGATION INTO HISTORY, THE CAR HAD UNDISCLOSED DAMAGE TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTER. PARTS WERE REPLACED BEFORE BEING TITLED TO ME. MERCEDES REFUSED TO ASSIST. AT MY EXPENSE I HAD CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WORKED ON THE COLUMN SHIFTER REPLACEMENT. THEY DETERMINED THE CAR WAS NEVER SET UP PROPERLY BY THE DEALER, AND THEY ALSO REPLACED RELAYS FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. MERCEDES REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY OF THIS EVEN AFTER THE THIRD DEALER REMEDIED. THE FACT THEY DIDN'T SET UP SECURITY PROPERLY, CAUSING POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS UNABLE TO SHIFT CAR TRANSMISSION AND THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OF CAR NOT SET UP ON DEALER SIDE, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THEY ALSO NEVER DISCLOSED THIS CAR FOR ADAQUATE OPERATION NEEDS TO INTERACT WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS. I CAN SEE ADDITIONAL FEATURES RELYING I THIS, BUT A CAR SHOULD NEVER BE INACCESSIBLE TO THE OWNER WHO HAD KEYS IN HAND, AND OWNER DID SET UP HER PROFILE IN THE CAR AND WITH HER PHONE. I WAS TOLD THE FAILURES WERE FAULTY SOFTWARE, FAULTY RELAYS, AND THE ORIGINAL DEALER MUST SET UP CAR FOR PROPER SECURITY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED A DEALER WHO DIDN'T SET UP A CAR CORRECTLY. BUT THE FIRST TIME IT NEVER INTERFERED WITH THE CAR OPERATION. OVERALL THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME AT THE SHOP THAN IN MY POSSESSION THE 7 MONTHS I LEASED IT. MERCEDES ALSO WOULDN'T LET ME PUT OF THE LEASE AND I HAD TO PAY SUBSTANTIAL MONEY TO BUY OUT THE CAR. MERCEDES I'M CONVINCED THOUGHT I WAS SCAMMING THEM TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I'VE NEVER BEEN TREATED WITH SUCH DISRESPECT OVER A DANGEROUS MATTER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ S560. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SEAT BELT WOULD TIGHTEN AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ENTERED ARBITRATION WITH THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ S560. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SEAT BELT WOULD TIGHTEN AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ENTERED ARBITRATION WITH THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .