Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. 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, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Research Another Vehicle
Executive Vehicle Verdict
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is associated with 29 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.
The most frequently reported component area is Other / Uncategorized, accounting for 7 reports (24% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 4.7l 8-cyl, 5.5l 8-cyl, and 6l 12-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 20 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 58 MPGe (26 MPG on gasoline) with up to 14 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class belongs to the 6th generation (W222) S-Class platform spanning model years 2015–2020.
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 29 consumer reports filed
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 official campaigns
- • Primary Defect Domain: Other / Uncategorized (7 / 24%)
- • Field Incident Signals: 0 crash / 0 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NCAP Crash Safety: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Certified Range: 15–20 MPG across 12 powertrain trims
What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S550e Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 54 MPGe (24 MPG) | 63 MPGe (30 MPG) | 58 MPGe (26 MPG) | 14 mi EV (450 mi total) | $2,900 / yr |
| CLS550 | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| S550 | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 17 MPG | 26 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| CLS550 4matic | 4.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| S550 4matic Coupe | 4.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| S550 4matic | 4.7L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 16 MPG | 26 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| AMG S63 4matic | 5.5L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 15 MPG | 23 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG S63 4matic Coupe | 5.5L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 15 MPG | 23 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| S600 | 6L 12-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 14 MPG | 21 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| Maybach S 600 | 6L 12-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 20 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| AMG S65 Coupe | 6L 12-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 20 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| AMG S65 | 6L 12-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 20 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR FWD | — | ||||
| 4 DR 4WD | — | ||||
| 2 DR 4WD | — | ||||
| Hybrid 4 DR 4WD | — | ||||
| Hybrid 4 DR RWD | — | ||||
| 4 DR RWD | — |
Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models.
What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Summary of 29 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems & component breakdown (17 categories) →Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. 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.
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
How many safety recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is associated with 6 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.
If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
NHTSA records list 29 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Other / Uncategorized, appearing in 7 filings (24% of submissions).
Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.
Is there an official NHTSA crash safety rating for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
An official NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test rating is not available for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in AutoUtility's current federal dataset.
NHTSA publishes crash safety evaluations for a selected sample of passenger vehicles each model year. Consult NHTSA.gov for active safety equipment records and vehicle safety bulletins.
What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class range from 15 to 20 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.
Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.
The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
- NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
- U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.
Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.