AI Damage2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65: common problems
The maker issued 111 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 111
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration…
- Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions
Cause Frictional vibrations Remedy The intent of this document is to reduce noise from high performance AMG brakes. AMG brakes are designed for performance under high load and in certain scenarios, can emit noise. Some…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering…
- Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally
Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so…
- Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available"
Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with…
- Complaint Crackling and cracking noise from the outer wheel on the front axle when cornering Cause The…
Complaint Crackling and cracking noise from the outer wheel on the front axle when cornering Cause The noise is generated by a micromovement on the contact surface between the rim and the brake disk (wheel bolt group)…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the…
- 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 movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed,…
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed,…
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
- Complaint The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note
Deactivation of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is not supported for gray-market vehicles. Cause Before deactivating the HERMES control unit (N112/9), it must be clarified by the legal department of the respective MPC…
NHTSA lists 111 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 111 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65?
NHTSA lists 111 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
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.