Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) Problems by Year
A refined and well-built luxury flagship that remains relatively affordable to buy. The main ownership risks are Airmatic and ABC suspension failures, Command unit glitches and the cost of parts for the V6 and V8 petrol engines.
Select a year below to see the specific problems affecting that model year, with estimated repair costs and severity ratings.
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Year Periods
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Known Issues
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Serious Faults
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Moderate Issues
Select a Year Period
Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) in our Directory
View MOT history, registration data, and reliability scores for the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221).
View Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) DirectoryBuying Tips for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221)
- ✓Test the Airmatic or ABC suspension from cold; leave it parked overnight before buying.
- ✓Check the COMAND infotainment system for lag, rebooting or disc read errors.
- ✓V8 petrols need evidence of regular oil changes and check for balance shaft wear on early M273 engines.