2018 Mercedes-Benz S 560 4Matic

Routine

Owners filed 4 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Driveline › Universal Joint26V216000
Filed Apr 3, 202624,092 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 4MATIC Sedan, E 400 4MATIC Wagon, E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 400 4MATIC Coupe, 2018-2020 Maybach S 560 4MATIC, S 560 4MATIC Coupe, S 450 4MATIC, 2019-2020 E 450 4MATIC Sedan, E 450 4MATIC Wagon, E 450 4MATIC Coupe, and E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet vehicles. The drive shaft universal joint may break, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

Risk. A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the drive shaft as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 22, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 10, 2026.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 26, 2026MN

Reckless driving on 94. The driver going more than 80mph up behind me into traffic blowing the horn the proceeds to go are flashing something could have been a cell phone maybe.

Power Train
Filed Jun 30, 2026MI

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 4MATIC. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced failures associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact was informed that once the parts for the recall repair were available, vehicle owners would be notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer by telephone and by email; however, no response was received. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 2026MI

Hello as of now there was no accidents just read Reading the Recalls it is very serious I take in the vehicle to the Mercedes Benz dealership 4-29- 26 They did nothing but said they would get in contact with me once they receive the remedy

Power Train
Filed Apr 14, 202677,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 4Matic. The contact stated that while performing a brake service, the contact became aware that there was fluid leaking underneath the vehicle, coming from the driveshaft. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while driving due to the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 77,000.

4 of 4 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20201100Routine
20192100Routine
2018 — this page4100Routine

Compare every S 560 4Matic year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 3, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.