2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 22 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 22 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 3 complaints (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 S-Class | 25 | 0 |
| 2015 S-Class | 51 | 0 |
| 2016 S-Class | 29 | 0 |
| 2017 S-Class (this page) | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 S-Class | 29 | 0 |
| 2019 S-Class | 16 | 0 |
| 2020 S-Class | 7 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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 2017 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
- airbags — 3 owner reports · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 1,200 mi · ~$700 to fix
- visibility — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 38,000 mi · ~$350 to fix
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: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is airbags (~$1,100) — 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 2017 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 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When parking the car. Transmission in drive and foot on brake. When the ignition button is pushed to turn car off, the car goes into neutral not park. The car will go into park when the door is opened. The car has rolled and can cause an accident if not careful. Was told this is…
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front driver's side CV-boot had cracked and was leaking oil. The contact was advised that the CV-boot could cause the front axle to…
2017 Mercedes benz s550. Consumer writes in regards to damaged windshield. *ld the consumer stated the windshield continues to crack. The windshield had to be repaired 3 times in 3 months. The dealer was notified and did not offer any assistance stating the failures were bad…
I am replacing the rear rims for the 3rd time in 1 year. The 2 amg rear rims keep cracking under normal driving conditions. This is absolutely ludicrous. I have driven for nearly 30 years and never had to keep replacing cracked rims like this. These rims are nearly 1500 each.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 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 8.6/10 — 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 22 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 3 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 22 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.