2013 Mercedes S-Class

-Combustion engine sporadically fails to start. -Combustion engine can no longer be started. -Start/Stop function is sporadically unavailable (READY displayed in yellow in instrument cluster). -Start/Stop function fails to function properly in dangerous road conditions - e.g., when pulling into an intersection, in stop & go traffic, when proceeding at a stop light, etc. -This is the second time this major incident has occurred; this was repaired in December 2020 under manufacturer warranty. The Power Electronics (Electric Motor) Control Unit was replaced. It is clear this is a recurring failure affecting this vehicle. ***Campaign No. 2012080004, November 2012 addresses this exact issue - for this exact car (i.e., Mercedes-Benz S 400 (221.195) V6-3.5L (272.974) Hybrid. However, that Recall Campaign is covers Model Years 2010-2012, but fails to cover MY 2013, which is exactly the same as the covered vehicles. This Campaign instructs to Check/Replace the Power Electronics Module, which is the part that my local Mercedes-Benz dealership has advised has failed and needs to be replaced.

Reported

May 2025

Incident date

May 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

A Retaliatory Action to cause personal harm. Believe original vin was placed on this car because of a complaint against medical doctors now under investigation. Took pictures and other proofs. Note on this vehicle says there are hazard mercury arts used on vehicle like lighting and lists other parts and advises removal to be done as hazardous materials etc. can upload photo of it.

Reported

Mar 2023

Incident date

Mar 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH ILLUMINATION TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS AND CREATED CONDENSATION. MERCEDES-BENZ OF COCONUT CREEK (LOCATED AT 4250 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (954) 406-1167) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED $1,500 PER HEADLAMP UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Reported

May 2019

Incident date

Jan 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I JUST HAD A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR DONE TO MY 2013 S550; REPLACING THE ENGINE HARNESS, ON A CAR THAT WAS LOOKED AFTER LIKE MY OWN CHILD! OIL CHANGES REGULARLY, SERVICE A AND SERVICE B AS SOON AS THE LIGHT WENT ON, ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY THIS SORT OF DAMAGE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A PERFECTLY WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. A REPAIR THAT SET ME BACK $6,800.00 THAT I DID NOT HAVE AT THE TIME. THROUGH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD REACH OUT TO MB USA REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS POTENTIALLY A DESIGN FLAW. SADLY, THEY NO LONGER COME TO THE PHONE AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE INDIVIDUAL I SPOKE TO DECIDED THAT SINCE I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH MB, THERE IS LITTLE THEY WILL DO FOR ME. PERHAPS IF THE MECHANICS AT FLETCHER JONES MERCEDES BENZ IN LAS VEGAS WHO SERVICED MY CAR WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, WOULD HAVE BOTHERED TO LOOK AT WHAT WAS DONE ON PREVIOUS VISITS, OR IF THEY WOULD HAVE MAYBE PAID A BIT MORE ATTENTION TO MY COMMENT THAT 'IT STILL SMELLS LIKE BURNING OIL' , PERHAPS I COULD HAVE AVOIDED A REPAIR THAT I COULD ILL AFFORD.

Reported

Aug 2018

Incident date

Jun 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

PROBLEM 1: CAR SOLD TO ME WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE. SILVERSTAR MOTORS IN L.I CITY, NY SOLD ME THE CAR & WITHHELD MATERIAL INFORMATION. THE CAR HAD 4 DAMAGED & DEFECTIVE WHEELS. THIS WAS DISCLOSED TO ME BY ANOTHER DEALER HELMS BROTHERS. TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY LOSING AIR; FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS & WAS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP. SILVERSTAR GAVE ME 4 NEW TIRES TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY TROUBLES & I HAVE ALREADY LOST 2 OF THEM IN A FEW MONTHS. ONE WAS DAMAGED LAST FRIDAY DOING 10 MILES AN HOUR ON ARCHER AVENUE IN QUEENS NY HITTING A POT HOLE. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE TIRE INSURANCE KNOWING THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH A PREVIOUS 2006 MERCEDES CLS 500 & THIS ONE. MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE HELD TO HIGHER STANDARDS FOR TIRES,& WHEELS STRENGTH & RESILIENCE. THEY SHOULD DISCLOSE TO ALL BUYERS THAT LOW PROFILE TIRES & LARGE RIMS CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM ON CITY STREETS. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I WAS LEAVING AN ATM DRIVE-IN AT CHASE BANK; GOING 5 MPH I SIDE SWIPED THE CURB, LOST AIR IN BOTH RIGHT TIRES & HAD TO CALL FOR ROAD SERVICE. SUCH LITTLE FORCE TO THE TIRES CAUSED A MAJOR PROBLEM & COULD AT HIGH SPEEDS BE DEADLY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ONLY GOING YES 5MPH. THE WHEEL & TIRE ISSUES HAD CAR OUT OF SERVICE AT SILVER STAR FOR OF 3-4 WEEKS. PROBLEM # 2: ENGINE LIGHT ON. HELMS BROTHERS HAD CAR 3 X FOR 27 DAYS. THEY PULLED OUT ENGINE & TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE ENGINE HARNESS WIRING. I PICKED UP THE CAR & THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AT ONE OF THE ENGINE SENSORS & THEY CLEANED IT UP & SECURED IT. AGAIN THE 3RD TIME I RETURNED BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HELMS BROTHERS SAID THEY MISSED ONE OF THE ENGINE SENSORS, & CLEANED IT OR REPLACED IT AND SECURED IT. THEY ALSO REMOVED ALL THE GAS FROM THE TANK (5 GALLONS +/-) THE THIRD TRIP & PUT IN A FEW GALLONS OF NEW GAS. THE CAR WAS ROAD TESTED ONE WEEK MORE. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED OFF.

Reported

Mar 2017

Incident date

Mar 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ S350. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Reported

Jul 2015

Incident date

Jun 2015

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Fire

WHILE MAKING RIGHT-HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN A TURNED POSITION AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT - LOCKED EPISODE LASTED FOR 2-4 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 2X AND I HAVE LEFT THE CAR WITH A DEALER AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL ALL COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING ARE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT MADE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS. *TR

Reported

Feb 2015

Incident date

Jan 2015

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I LEASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2013, SINCE 06/06/2013 THIS CAR HAS BEEN BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM 8 TIMES, BUBBLES ON THE TIRES WHICH CUTS OPEN THE TIRE AT THE EDGE OF THE WHEEL. LAST MONTH THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AGAIN AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP IT DEVELOPED ANOTHER BUBBLE ON ANOTHER TIRE. NOW MBUSA IS SAYING THERE IS NO DEFECT ON THE CAR, I AM SAYING WHEELS AND TIRES COME WITH THE CAR AND THEY ARE PART OF THE CAR AND THAT THAT THIS CAR IS LEMON OR DEFECTIVE, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO TRAVEL IN IT. MBUSA DONT WANT TO ADMIT IT BUT ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE AT KOONS DEALERSHIP IN CATONSVILLE MD. IN MY OPINION A FATAL ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME IF THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE ROAD. *TR

Reported

Sep 2014

Incident date

Aug 2014

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS A HALF OF A INCH HIGHER THAN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MEASURED UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. *TR

Reported

Mar 2013

Incident date

Mar 2013

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported