2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450: 8 recalls, 7 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #17V816000 · 2017 · 8,700 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear passenger door on the driver side May indicate that it is locked, when it May not be. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Why it matters: If the door appears to be locked, the door May be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018.
Electrical Vehicle recall #18V407000 · 2018 · 1,701 vehicles
What's wrong: Mercedes-benz USA, LLC. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2018 mercedes-maybach s560 and s560 4matic and mercedes s450 4matic, s450, s560, s560 4matic, and s560 coupe 4matic vehicles. The electrical power bars inside the pre-fuse box in the trunk May not have been secured properly.
Why it matters: If the power bars are not properly secured, it can cause higher electrical resistance increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, an intermittent contact between the power bars could lead to a loss of vehicle functions. The engine operation, the seat belt functions and the instrument cluster could…
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the pre-fuse box, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018.
Lane departure, Lane departure Vehicle recall #18V910000 · 2018 · 6,200 vehicles
What's wrong: Mercedes-benz USA, LLC. (mercedes) is recalling certain 2018 s450 4matic, s560 4matic coupe, s63 amg 4matic coupe, maybach s560 4matic, s560 4matic, s63 amg and s63 amg 4matic cabrio vehicles. The hands-off-detection system May malfunction, causing the active steering assist system to remain engaged despite the driver's hands not being on the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Why it matters: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention May increase the risk of crash.
The fix: Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will update the software of the steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019.
Lane departure, Steering Vehicle recall #18V908000 · 2018 · 5,754 vehicles
What's wrong: Mercedes-benz USA, LLC. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2018 amg s63 4matic coupe, amg s63 4matic sedan, amg s63 4matic cabriolet, s450 4matic sedan, s560 4matic coupe, s560 4matic sedan, and maybach s560 4matic vehicles. Due to an incorrect steering boot installation, the active steering assist system May remain engaged despite the driver's hands not being on the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Why it matters: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention May increase the risk of crash.
The fix: Mbusa has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and correct the steering boot installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019.
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V915000 · 2019 · 75 vehicles
What's wrong: Mercedes-benz USA, LLC. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2018 s560 and s450 vehicles. These vehicles May be equipped with front brake components (brake discs, calipers, and pads) with different dimensions than specified for the vehicle.
Why it matters: The incorrect size brake components May lead to the wrong replacement components fitted to the vehicle during brake repairs, possibly affecting braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake system, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2020.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V058000 · 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to the part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module May fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (ecall) in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: Failure of the ecall system May result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021.
Communication, Communication Vehicle recall #21V072000 · 2021 · 67 vehicles
What's wrong: On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 gla250, glc300, 2018 s450, e400, and 2017 cla250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the emergency call (ecall) function.
Why it matters: A disabled ecall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #21V197000 · 2021 · 15,096 vehicles
What's wrong: The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof May not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Why it matters: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mercedes-benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Forward collision avoidance (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 has 7 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 3 S 450 model years for complaints (1.5× the average S 450 year). Complaints peaked in 2023 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 44,913 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (3 complaints, 8 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 problems?
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (2), brakes (2), seat belts (1).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.