AI DamageMercedes-Benz AMG S63 4matic reliability: problems, complaints, recalls
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 4matic across 2 model years: 2 owner complaints and 82 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 82 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 50% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Engine: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 23 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During upshift or downshift gears 3 & 4, there is a jerking movement.not a smooth shift like the other gears. I have researched various benz owners blogs, I see multiple reports of people complaining of similar issue going back to 2008. Letter to mbusa, they tell me they have not heard of such a problem. Issue 2.
Whenever I slow the car down from traffic, the car jerks foward when it is downshifting (automatic) from 4th gear to 3rd gear and 3rd to 2nd gear. I went back to the dealer, they ask my permission for extra 60 miles of diagnostics because they think there is an "adaptation" period for the "mechanical" to adapt to the…
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
- Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally
- Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available"
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed,…
- Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD…
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.