2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 51 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 51 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is seatbelts at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 52,500 miles (~$500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 S-Class | 14 | 0 |
| 2013 S-Class | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 S-Class | 25 | 0 |
| 2015 S-Class (this page) | 51 | 0 |
| 2016 S-Class | 29 | 0 |
| 2017 S-Class | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 S-Class | 29 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- seatbelts — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 52,500 mi · ~$500 to fix
- body — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 41,750 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- wheels — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 21,763 mi · ~$400 to fix
- airbags — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 23,130 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 41,750 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is body (~$1,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
At night there is a dangerous,very distracting reflection in the windshield. What is being reflected upward are the lighted digital tachometer and speedometer. When the driver is driving at night in his or hers field of view are the dash gauges reflected vividly in the…
Fault door hinge driver door - hinge makes creaking noises and has sticking points
I drove my 2015 Mercedes benz s550 4matic approximately 20 miles to work, parked in the parking lot and about 30 minutes later, I was alerted by pembroke pines police (case# pppd22off050792) that my car was burning when I got to the parking lot pembroke pines fire dept was in…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-benz s550. While driving, the vehicle began to wobble without warning. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rims were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Inspect the seatbelts first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 51 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is seatbelts. Typical failure occurs around 52,500 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is seatbelts, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The seatbelts is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 52,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz S-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 51 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.