Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN Number Check

Enter a Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefixWDBWDDW1KWD4

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

About the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz has sold the S-Class in the US since the 1994 model year, and there have been five generations. The W140 came first (1994–1998); W220 (1998–2005), W221 (2005–2013), W222 (2013–2020) followed, and the W223 took over for 2020–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 74 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,182 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the W220. Its 2001 and 2000 model years alone account for 342 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and the suspension after that. EPA rates the W140 at 13–21 mpg combined, while the W223, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 14–24 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1994–2026

GenerationsW140 · W220 · W221 · W222 · W223

NHTSA recall campaigns74

Owner complaints1,182 at NHTSA

Mercedes-Benz S-Class photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Mercedes-Benz S-Class generations

Five generations since the 1994 model year. The W220 (1998–2005) has the most owner complaints, the W222 (2013–2020) the most recall campaigns (33).

5 / 5

W223

2020–20265th generation

Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1994200020052010201520202025

2020–2026· Generation 5 of 5

W223 · 5th generation

EPA classLarge Cars

EPA combined mpg14–24

NHTSA recalls32

Engines (EPA)

3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2020
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2020, 2023, 2025
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo) · 2020–2021
6.0 L 12-cyl (turbo) · 2020, 2022–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (mild hybrid) · 2021–2023
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2021–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, supercharged, mild hybrid) · 2024–2026
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2020–2026)

Known issues to check

Forward collision avoidance (31)Electrical system (26)Engine and cooling (18)5 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 105 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · W223W1K6G7GB?MA······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S580-4M, built in Sindelfingen, Germany

Check a S-Class VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which S-Class model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 74 campaigns on file for S-Class model years 1994–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (17), ahead of the 2018 (14). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mercedes-Benz S-Class owners report

NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2001 (183 of 1,182). Tap any bar or generation.

1,182NHTSA complaints, 1994–2026

44mention a crash

41mention a fire

44injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearW223: 105 complaints · most for the 2022 (46)

Top complaint areas · W223

Mentions in 105 complaints, 2020–2026.

Forward collision avoidance31

Electrical system26

Engine and cooling18

Brakes13

Speed control / acceleration12

Tires12

Crashes 3Fires 1Injuries 6

2020–2026 (W223)

NHTSA data summary

The 2022 stands out. On its own it has 46 of the W223’s 105 complaints (44%), and owners across the generation name forward collision avoidance most often (31 mentions), then electrical system (26).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner complaints · by model year

S-Class complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid, plug-in and diesel S-Class versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,182complaints, 1994–2026

44mention a crash

41mention a fire

44injuries reported

2complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2001 (183), 2000 (159), 2002 (120)

2001 · 183 complaints

Crashes 4 · fires 6 · injuries 6

Electrical system85

Suspension29

Interior lighting27

Engine and engine cooling20

Exterior lighting16

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

S-Class CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 220 S-Class versions for model years 1994–2026 (gas, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 106 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

W1401994–1997

13–21 mpg · CO₂ 485–684 g/mi

W2201998–2004

13–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–684 g/mi

W2212005–2012

13–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–684 g/mi

W2222013–2019

14–26 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 58–64 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 205–621 g/mi

W2232020–2026

14–24 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 49–64 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 106–618 g/mi

Model year2025

15combined MPG

603CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$5,500EPA yearly fuel cost

2/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

2/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV125 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 125Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Maybach S680 4matic · Auto 9-spd, 12 cyl, 6.0 L, Turbo — 15 MPG · 603 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDieselHybridPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

S-Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2020–2026. NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns for the S-Class, against 27 for the BMW 7 Series and 12 for the Audi A8. Pick a range to compare.

Mercedes-Benz S-ClassW223

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 32
NHTSA owner complaints: 105
EPA combined mpg: 14–24
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L · 12-cyl 6.0 L
Also listed: turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 31
Electrical system 26
Engine and cooling 18

BMW 7 Series

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 27
NHTSA owner complaints: 47
EPA combined mpg: 16–28
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L · 12-cyl 6.6 L
Also listed: turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 19
Electronic stability control 10
Electrical system 9

Audi A8

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 12
NHTSA owner complaints: 9
EPA combined mpg: 18–23
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 4
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 3
Engine and cooling 2

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a S-Class

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Mercedes-Benz S-Class (seventh generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The S-Class carries its VIN on a dashboard plate at the base of the driver's windshield, in the engine bay, on the door jamb sticker, inside the trunk lid, and in the spare tire well. The W223 generation starts with the 2020 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (L for 2020) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN questions

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2001 leads with 183, ahead of the 2000 (159) and 2002 (120). Those first two alone make up 29% of the 1,182 S-Class complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz S-Class had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 74 vehicle campaigns for model years 1994–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, W222 leads with 33. Then come the W223 (32), W220 (10), W221 (6) and W140 (1), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 07V-263, 04V-228, 12V-557, 16V-899, 18V-407, 20V-048, 21V-961, 24V-704 and 2 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 22V-194. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which S-Class generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the W140 is 1994–1998 and the W220 1998–2005. W221 spans 2005–2013, W222 2013–2020 and W223 2020–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (L is 2020).

What fuel economy does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2026 W223 at 14–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (49–64 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 13–21 mpg for the 1994–1998 W140 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class compare with the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 on recalls?

For 2020–2026 models the S-Class has 32 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW 7 Series has 27, the Audi A8 12. Complaints run 105, 47 and 9 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class VIN Number Check

About the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class generations