AI DamageMercedes-Benz S63: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz S63 across 9 model years: 16 owner complaints and 108 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 4 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 64.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 16 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 64 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 15 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 32 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was driving car and a warning light showed abs, steering, suspension malfunction, refer to operators manual. Approximately 3 minutes after the light showed, I put my foot on the brake, the cars brakes locked up, the steering would not work and the car swerved across the road into oncoming traffic and I ended up in a…
About 2 to 3 weeks ago I suddenly started smelling faint gas outside the vehicle on the driver side. Over 2 weeks it got stronger and finally I was able to smell it inside and immediately investigated.
The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter flange was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V557000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as the VIN was not included.
The contact stated while driving 60 mph, a bystander informed her under the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to park on side of the road. The contact stated she was unable to open the front driver side door.
Abc malfunction light came on then within a few minutes car stop. Smoke and fumes causing difficulty breathing and eye irritation. Cost over $1600.00 on car having only 60,000 miles. 60,000 maintenance done less than 1 month prior. Additional damaged to tires as suspension dropped. Had to have it towed to dealer.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- 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
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
- 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…
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 2026-11-05.