Every manufacturer recall and Technical Service Bulletin affecting the S-Class across five generations — W220, W221, W222 and W223 — with VIN check guidance and what each remedy actually involves.
The Mercedes S Class has been subject to multiple safety recalls and Technical Service Bulletins across its five generations, with the W222 (2013–2020) carrying the most documented items.
Use the VIN check method below, then cross-reference any result against the known faults section to understand the full picture for your specific car.
The S-Class has been recalled for issues spanning airbag deployment, steering column integrity, electrical system faults, and brake system components across its production life. The table below lists each documented recall by generation. Recall reference numbers and exact VIN ranges must be confirmed against the official Mercedes-Benz recall database before acting on them — we mark any unconfirmed detail accordingly.
| Generation | Recall Ref | Date Issued | Affected VIN Range | Issue | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W222 (2013–2020) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs DVSA] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | Steering column intermediate shaft may separate under load | Inspection and replacement of intermediate shaft coupling |
| W222 (2013–2020) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs DVSA] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | Driver airbag inflator may rupture during deployment | Replacement of driver airbag module |
| W223 (2020–present) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs DVSA] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | Electrical wiring harness routing may contact sharp edge, causing short circuit | Inspection and rerouting of wiring harness; protective sleeve where required |
| W221 (2005–2013) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs DVSA] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | Brake booster vacuum hose may degrade, reducing braking assistance | Inspection and replacement of brake booster vacuum hose |
Recall data is sourced from the DVSA recall database and Mercedes-Benz owner communications. We update this table as new recalls are issued. Any entry marked [PLACEHOLDER] has been structurally identified but requires confirmation against the official source before we publish the specific reference number — see our data verification process for how we handle this.
For the W222 generation specifically, the W222 S-Class page covers the full model history and engine options. The W223, introduced in 2020, moved to the newer platform with updated electrical architecture — see the W223 S-Class page for details on the current generation.
A Vehicle Identification Number check is the only definitive way to confirm whether your specific car has an open recall. The S-Class VIN is a 17-character code found in three locations: stamped on the vehicle identification plate at the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, printed on the door shut label (driver's side B-pillar), and recorded in your V5C logbook.
Three methods will confirm recall status:
1. Mercedes-Benz Owner Portal. Log in at the official Mercedes-Benz UK owner portal and enter your VIN. This returns all open recalls and any TSBs that have been flagged against your specific vehicle. You'll need to create a free account, but the recall check itself requires no payment.
2. DVSA Recall Database. The UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency maintains a public recall search. Enter your VIN or registration number to see all safety recalls issued for your vehicle, regardless of manufacturer. This is the most independent check available.
3. Any Mercedes-Benz Retailer. A main dealer can run your VIN through their internal system in under five minutes, free of charge, with no obligation. This is the fastest option if you're already booking service work. Ask specifically whether any Technical Service Bulletins apply as well — these don't always appear on the public recall database.
If you're buying a used S-Class and want to check before committing, our VIN decoder tool will confirm the engine code, build date, and original specification from the same 17-character code — useful context before you cross-reference against the recall table above.
This distinction matters more for the S-Class than most Mercedes models, because several of the most common issues owners report fall outside recall scope entirely.
Technical Service Bulletins are not recalls. A TSB instructs workshops on the correct diagnostic and repair procedure for a known issue, but the manufacturer does not proactively contact owners. The work is not free unless the car is still under warranty or a goodwill gesture is offered. For the S-Class, the most significant TSBs relate to the OM642 diesel engine's oil cooler seal and swirl flap motor — documented failure patterns that affect S350 CDI and S350d variants [EM-VERIFIED]. If your S350d exhibits a whining noise from the engine bay or oil seepage in the V of the engine, these TSBs apply. The repair is not free out of warranty, but knowing the TSB reference ensures the workshop addresses the correct component rather than misdiagnosing.
Wear items and service-related failures are never recalled. DPF blockage, EGR valve coking, turbocharger wear, and timing chain stretch on higher-mileage S-Class diesels and petrols are maintenance and design-tolerance issues, not safety defects. These are covered in detail on our OM642 swirl flap failure page and our M276 camshaft adjuster page, neither of which will ever trigger a recall notice.
Aftermarket modifications void recall eligibility for affected components. If a previous owner has fitted non-standard parts in the area covered by a recall — a replacement steering column from a breaker, for instance — the recall remedy may be refused until the vehicle is returned to standard specification.
The S-Class shares its engines with other Mercedes models, which means the failure patterns are well documented across thousands of enquiries. The OM642 in particular is the second most-enquired Mercedes diesel engine in our dataset — 880 requests in 2025 alone [EM-VERIFIED] — and the S350 CDI and S350d variants share all of its known weaknesses.
The most significant non-recall faults for S-Class owners:
For diesel S-Class models — the S350 CDI, S350d, and S400d — the primary concerns are oil cooler seal and swirl flap issues on the OM642, and AdBlue system faults on the newer OM656. The S320/S350 CDI variant page covers the full specification and known issues for those engines.
For petrol S-Class models — the S350, S400, S450, S500, S560, and S580 — the primary concerns are timing chain stretch on M276 and M278 engines, and carbon buildup on direct-injection variants. The S350/S400/S450 petrol variant page covers the full specification for those engines.
Our S-Class service schedule reference sets out the manufacturer-recommended intervals that, if followed, significantly reduce the likelihood of the non-recall faults listed above.
The S-Class occupies an interesting position in our dataset. The W222 generation generated 120 engine-related enquiries in 2025 [EM-VERIFIED], placing it mid-table among Mercedes models — well below the C-Class W205 (368) or E-Class W212 (338), but consistent with the S-Class's lower production volume and higher average vehicle age at the time of enquiry. The W221, being older and lower-value, generated just 55 enquiries [EM-VERIFIED], consistent with its position near the scrap threshold for most engine replacement scenarios.
What this means practically: S-Class engine replacements are viable on W222 and W223 examples, where vehicle values absorb the reconditioned supply cost comfortably. For W221 and W220 cars, the economics are tighter — our repair-replace-scrap framework explains the 70% threshold we apply to Mercedes, and the repair vs replace calculator will run the numbers for your specific situation.
Full sourcing rules for every figure on this page are documented in our methodology statement.
Enter your 17-character VIN into the Mercedes-Benz owner portal, the DVSA recall database, or ask any Mercedes retailer to run the check. All three methods are free. The VIN is on your V5C logbook, the windscreen base plate, or the driver's door shut label.
Yes. Safety recalls are remedied free of charge at any Mercedes-Benz retailer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or service history. You do not need to be the original owner. Technical Service Bulletins, however, are not free unless the car is under warranty.
A recall is a safety-critical defect that the manufacturer must fix free of charge and must actively notify owners about. A TSB is a known issue with a documented repair procedure that workshops follow, but the manufacturer has no obligation to contact owners or cover the cost. The OM642 oil cooler seal and swirl flap TSBs are the most relevant examples for S-Class diesel owners.
The DVSA database accepts registration numbers. The Mercedes-Benz owner portal requires the full VIN. If you only have the registration, use the DVSA route or our registration lookup tool to identify the VIN first, then cross-reference against the manufacturer system for TSBs.
An outstanding recall does not cause an MOT failure. However, if the recall relates to a safety-critical component like the steering column or airbag, driving with it unremedied could affect an insurance claim in the event of a related incident. Book the recall repair as soon as you're notified.
If your S-Class engine has failed or you're weighing up replacement options, compare quotes from vetted specialists across the UK. No obligation, no spam.