POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and driver assistance categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 104 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 2 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 7 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine457.1%
- Airbags114.3%
- Driver assistance114.3%
- Steering114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 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.govSTRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Excessive engine oil lead from the back seal. Also, slow coolant leak. The car has a low mileage of 46k.
- NHTSA ID
- 11713255
- Incident
- Dec 9, 2025
The Squib For PRE-SAFE(R) Pulse '' Front Passenger'' Has A S560 w222 model airbag sensors problem an defective parts needs be investigated
- NHTSA ID
- 11691944
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2024
My 2018 S560 Mercedes occasionally misfires upon acceleration. This has happened at six times over the past three years. When this happens, the engine loses power, starts to shake, and the check engine light comes on. This happened when I was trying to pass a car on US 301 a week ago nearly causing a head on collision as I tried to get back into the right lane. The problem occurs without any warning. This first happened at 64,242 miles, then at 104833, next 108599, then 119,012, then 121,726, and finally at 126580 (my current mileage). Each time I have gone to a Mercedes mechanic. They have replaced the coils three times and the spark plugs twice. They now tell me the problem is due to the walls of the cylinders delaminating and scratched/scoring and the engine needs replaced (come on, 126,000 miles). They have checked the compression and say it is low across all eight cylinders. The vehicle has been inspected by a Mercedes dealership and by other certified Mercedes mechanics. They gave me pictures of the cylinders (attached). Here are their notes: Cylinder walls in #1 look delaminated, also scratched, no signs of oil consumption on spark plug, carbon is burnt off #1 piston in center. Preformed compression test on cylinder 1 and 2, #1 dry 140, wet 170, #2 dry 110, wet 170. Just these 2 cylinders are showing leakage past rings, luckily no oil consumption. Compression spec's13 to 17 Bar{ 188 psi to 246 psi } Cylinder #1 dry 160psi, wet 190 psi, Cyl #2 dry 150psi wet 185psi, #3 160psi dry, wet 190psi, Cyl #4 160psi dry, wet 190 psi, Cyl #5 155psi dry, wet 190psi, Cyl #6 155 dry, wet 190, Cyl #7 155 psi dry, wet 180psi, Cyl #8 160psi dry, wet 185psi. All wet and dry actual compression are all too low, likely from the cylinder wall conditions. Being compression is low across all cylinders this is causing misfires at random times across all cylinders.
- NHTSA ID
- 11664290
- Incident
- May 24, 2025
1. The leather cover for the dashboard has peeled up on the passenger side. The vehicle is parked inside a covered garage while it is not being driven since it was purchased in 2021. 2. I am worried about the safety airbag restraints in the dashboard might not be working. 3. The vehicle was taken to the Mercedes Benz dealership and they assessed that the ENTIRE dashboard had to be replaced. 4. It has only been inspected by the dealership. 5. There were not any warning signs from the vehicle intelligence and monitoring systems. The problem first appeared at the beginning of November 2024.
- NHTSA ID
- 11626611
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2024
The engine failed while my friend was driving. The car is available for inspection. My friend almost got into a car accident because the car started shaking and the steering wheel closed up before the engine completely failed. Additionally, the airbags did not go off. It could've been a fatal accident because he was driving on the highway. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle has been inspected by a certified mechanic. The car has had problems since I bought it. The tire pressure would always go down. The steering wheel and car would shake at times, and the tires had to be replaced two times within two years.
- NHTSA ID
- 11609520
- Incident
- Aug 19, 2024
Driving on interstate 95 in South Carolina in the high speed lane Saturday December 2 2023 late morning. Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, self driving modes engaged. No traffic in front, large semi truck next to passenger side about equal to side mirror, I believe it was advancing. Car sounds collision warning beep and executes full emergency barking with seat belt tensioners emergency retraction. The system quickly releases the brakes which may have been the result of me pressing the gas pedal, I am not sure as this all happened in fractions of seconds. I disengaged all self driving and distronic systems including parking sensors and continued on the journey.
- NHTSA ID
- 11561163
- Incident
- Dec 2, 2023
Ignition coil failed and cylinder 5 misfired. Car has less than 30K miles.
- NHTSA ID
- 11549938
- Incident
- Sep 25, 2023
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.
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.
ENGINE
Complaint Oil leaks found on M176 or M177 engines diagnosed to be from the cylinder head cover area Cause Unknown (under investigation) Remedy If oil leaks are found at left or right cylinder head cover area please collect the following information and open TIPS case. 1. Collect photos of the leak 2. Include close up and wide view photos to accurately represent the location 3. Include if the vehicle has a "check oil level" Light on in the cluster or fault codes 4. Check oil level as per WIS to verify level and calculate possible oil loss from the leak 5. Identify and communicate the severity of the leak and provide supporting documentation 6. Open a TIPS case with the above information and submit to the Powertrain team for processing
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variant. Remedy No support available for NTG4.5 and NTG5 Head Unit Variants for MB App related topics. Note: Please do not create TIPS. Please do not replace any components. HU/Hermes SW update / SCN coding will not fix the issue.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Information: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, after completing diagnosis, select the damage code corresponding to the component part that caused the problem. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10-P-067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!
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.