SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 16 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 295 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| Nov 2021 | 2 | 4 |
| Dec 2021 | 2 | 6 |
| Jan 2022 | 3 | 9 |
| Jul 2022 | 3 | 12 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 14 |
| Jun 2023 | 2 | 16 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 17 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 18 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 20 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 21 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 22 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 23 |
| Feb 2025 | 2 | 25 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 26 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 27 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 28 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 30 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 31 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 32 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 33 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1022.7%
- Driver assistance715.9%
- Engine715.9%
- Other / unspecified613.6%
- Brakes36.8%
- Tires & wheels24.5%
- Fuel system24.5%
- Visibility24.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
16 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govCOMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Shock air leaking front right side. The car has 31,000 miles and is 5 years old. Is this to be expected?
- NHTSA ID
- 11758100
- Incident
- Aug 17, 2026
The vehicle lost acceleration and the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to Mercedes dealership. They quoted that the Camtronic actuator has failed and needs to be replaced. Cost $9000. I have now seen online a recall for 2021 mercedes s580's for CAMTRONIC actuator failure issue. However- my VIN is not included in the recall. Please advise what I should do.
- NHTSA ID
- 11736544
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
False warning message for right taillights/brake lights/signal light in rear lamp.
- NHTSA ID
- 11720070
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2026
Three wheels had rim a total of eight cracks that lead to one tire unable to hold air. Loss of air in tire can lead to crash. Mercedes service inspected car after first crack was noticed by Discount Tire when they diagnosed deflation in tire. Mercedes service reported that two additional wheel rims were cracked. Discount Tire subsequently determined a total of eight cracks and took pictures. Mercedes service representative stated that initial OEM wheels on 2021 S Class were weak and frequently failed. Service manager said they have had cracks during test drives from simply riding over a metal plate on the road. Car was bought used with 22k miles and driven only 3k miles by me at time of failure. Car was supposedly 100% inspected and was “certified”. Low air pressure indicator alerted the issue.
- NHTSA ID
- 11710678
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2025
Car was in for recall Dec 7,2025 to Mercedes Benz of Rockville Centre service 110 Graham Avenue Hempstead Ny they are having difficulties with the recall it is now Dec 30, 2025 still not repaired they told me it was a parts problem they ordered parts twice now they are saying it might be a software problem they are not sure they do not know when i will get my vehicle back they dont even know the reason why its not taking the recall
- NHTSA ID
- 11708011
- Incident
- Dec 7, 2025
Adaptive High Beam Assist function on vehicle with Multibeam LED headlights with Digital Light System fail to detect ambient lighting properly. Consequently hi-beam lights operate erratically and unpredictably, switching between high and low beams too frequently. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11688590
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2025
Excessive Tire failure on "AMG" 21 inch wheel and tires. Pirelli tires have replaced 4 tires in four months. cracks in side wall bubbling.
- NHTSA ID
- 11669111
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2025
I purchased this car as a certified pre-owned vehicle from Mercedes Benz in December 2024 with 14,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle has factory 21-inch AMG rims. Since that time, I have had to replace 5 tires on this vehicle, all from Mercedes Benz dealerships. I purchased an additional $2,000 tire insurance policy from Mercedes Benz due to this recurrent issue. Due to the size of this rim, these tires are extremely prone to blowing and flats. Furthermore, this vehicle does not come with a spare tire or even with a storage compartment which can accommodate a spare tire. I was under the impression that this is because Mercedes Benz equips these vehicles with run-flat tires, however I recently learned that Mercedes does not offer run-flat tires on the 21 inch rim, leaving customers with no choice to but have the vehicle towed each time a flat tire occurs. I have been stranded on the side of the road 3 times within the past 3 weeks alone. Other customers have experienced and reported similar issues with this vehicle.
- NHTSA ID
- 11646497
- Incident
- Mar 4, 2025
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). Complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: ‑ Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. ‑ Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged boot (see attachment). ‑ Cracks (1) ‑ High pressure cleaner (2) ‑ Animal bite (3) See various examples listed in the attachments for examples of outside influence. Remedy Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Replace electric steering. Note: Steering gears replaced due to outside influence or damage must not be claimed under warranty!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a result of a long press on the button, but by double‑clicking on the button instead. This reduces the likelihood of the button being activated accidentally or unintentionally. The recoding can be carried out as follows: 1. Add SA Code O19 into VeDoc (O for Oscar, not "zero") • an XSS ticket may be necessary to add the SA code 2. Perform SCN coding of EIS N73 control unit 3. Deactivate the vehicle key (a successful deactivation is indicated by the LED lighting up 2x briefly and then 1x for a long period). 4. Place the vehicle key in the storage compartment on the key symbol and turn on the ignition. IMPORTANT: all other vehicle keys must be outside the recognition range of the vehicle when doing this! Perform steps 3 and 4 successively for all vehicle keys. Notes: 6th, 7th and 8th generation keys can be deactivated as follows: Up to modification year 22/1 by double clicking the "Lock button" As of modification year 22/1, by press and holding the “Lock button", then double‑click the “Unlock button" at the same time. On model series 167, the storage compartment with the key symbol is located in the armrest. The SCN coding from the EZS is only transferred correctly to the vehicle key under the following conditions: Only one vehicle key is located in the vehicle, this key has been deactivated and it is positioned on the marking in the storage compartment for the data transfer. The costs for this adaptation are to be borne by the customer. For the newer BR 174, 178, 244, 248, 520, and 540, a software update must be initiated, as there is no way to perform SCN coding.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("‑ ‑"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. • This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reasons for this concern: 1. Country code information stored incorrectly at a particular geographic latitude range. 2. Incorrect reference data when the vehicle is started and a GPS signal is not immediately available. Remedy Update head unit software to latest version and the re‑check function in the same location. If vehicle is still exhibiting one of the symptoms as described exactly as in the complaint section or as shown in the video attachments, open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox with the following: • Video of the concern. • Exact location (latitude and longitude is best)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage Detection ("DMTL") on your vehicle from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years / 50,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first). This applies to the vehicle regardless of ownership. Why the Warranty extension? On certain Model Year 2018 - 2024 A / C / CLA / CLS / E / G / GLA / GLB / GLC / GLE / GLS / GT / S / SL Mercedes-Benz vehicles, under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("MIL"). Any repairs under this warranty extension must be performed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. • If your preferred authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership performs a diagnosis and confirms that your vehicle has the issue, the repair will be covered under this extended warranty and performed at no cost to you. • This extended warranty does not apply to any other components or conditions beyond the ones mentioned above, and standard warranty terms apply, including the exclusions with respect to extra expenses, as identified in the Service and Warranty Information booklet.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint The following most common complaints may be observed: • Brief connectivity interruptions when using Apple CarPlay over Wi-Fi • Audio cuts out • Device not recognized • No operation possible Cause There are multiple possible causes for an iPhone disconnecting from a vehicle’s head unit while using Apple CarPlay. These include hardware, software, and environmental factors: Environmental Interference External Sources: • Passing under toll bridges, driving near airports, or areas with heavy electronic interference (e.g., as described in LI82.85-P-076157) can cause connection drops. Cellular Networks: • Interference from nearby cell towers operating on similar frequencies (usually 2.4GHz or 5GHz) can disrupt the signal. Storage Location: • Keeping your phone in a handbag or surrounded by other objects inside the vehicle can create physical or electronic interference. Device and Software Issues Head Unit Software/Hardware: • Outdated firmware, bugs, or hardware faults in the vehicle’s head unit can prevent a stable connection. iPhone Software/Hardware: • Similar issues in the iPhone, including buggy iOS updates or hardware problems, may affect performance. Reset or Reboot:• Automatic rebooting or resetting of either the head unit or the iPhone will temporarily disrupt CarPlay. Connection and Settings Wired Connections: • Faulty Cable: A damaged or poor-quality USB cable can cause intermittent or total loss of connection. • USB Port Issues: Dust, debris, or physical damage in the USB port of either the head unit or the iPhone can also lead to disconnects. Wireless Connections: • Intermittent Bluetooth/Wi-Fi: Unstable wireless communication (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi) can frequently break the Car- Play connection. Power Management: • Battery Saver Mode: Enabling low power mode may restrict background processes, affecting CarPlay. • Vehicle’s Electrical System: Unstable power delivery from the car’s battery or electrical interruptions can cause the head unit to malfunction. Phone & App Configuration Phone Settings: • Incorrect or conflicting settings (especially Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) on your iPhone can interfere with the CarPlay link. • Third-Party Apps/Profiles: • Installed apps or configuration profiles may conflict with CarPlay’s operation. • Native apps are apple maps, apple music, audio books, apple news, podcasts, messages and phone. All other apps are considered third party apps. App Conflicts: • Running conflicting apps that require similar system resources as CarPlay can cause instability. Mobile Data Plan: • Streaming from online sources without sufficient mobile data can result in lost connectivity. Other Factors Heat & Overheating: • If either the phone or the head unit overheats, they may disable certain functions to prevent damage, leading to disconnection. User Actions: • Accidentally disconnecting the device in settings, or physically moving or bumping the phone or cable, may disrupt the connection. Remedy FUP6 (E605.8) software has been released for the following chassis: 118, 177, 243,247,206,254,167,294,295,296,223, 297. Flash available software for the head unit and test for function. The LI will be updated once available for the remaining chassis. If the complaint remains after the SW update please continue with the steps below. Guided Diagnostic Path for Apple CarPlay Connection Issues: Please follow the steps below to systematically diagnose and resolve CarPlay concerns:Update Devices: • Ensure the iPhone is updated to the latest available iOS version. • Ensure the vehicle’s head unit is updated to the latest software version available. Isolate the Issue: • Check whether the symptom persists with another iPhone running the latest iOS version. • Test both wireless and wired CarPlay connections: • Does the issue only occur with wireless CarPlay? • Does the wired connection to the phone function correctly? Further Troubleshooting Steps: • Reboot the iPhone. See attachment for further instructions.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.