Upon startup, the back up camera will not display when putting the car in reverse. I could not see if any pedestrians were behind me when backing out of a parking spot. This problem has happened 2 times in the last 2 weeks. So far, the camera resumes working after the car has been turned off and restarted. I called the Mercedes dealership service center and they suggested I make a service…
2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class electrical problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 8 electrical complaints filed for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V365000 (Electrical System, Communication) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not…
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V365000 (Electrical System, Communication) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
Similar to recall campagn #2017020018 or 17V-078. My car may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear. Both the auto-P function and automatic parking brake will continue to operate as intended and prevent the vehicle from moving forward or rearward. The problem could also be…
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 10,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.