CarBrief

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints for the 2008 S-Class and lists no recalls for that model year[1][2]. Fuel economy runs from 13 to 16 MPG combined depending on the engine[3][4].

19owner complaints[1]
13–16MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 19 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, none a fire, and the complaints report 2 injuries and no deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

By component group, the counts are:

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[5] 4
Tires[6] 4
Fuel system, gasoline[7] 2
Power train[8] 2
Suspension[9] 2
Engine[10] 2
Brakes[11] 1
Equipment[12] 1

None of these groups lists a crash, fire or injury[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The totals are small, so no group stands out as a common problem.

We read the complaint texts for four groups. In the 4 tire complaints, owners describe tread that crumbles or breaks up early and sidewalls that bulge or fail[6]. In the 2 suspension complaints, owners describe the front end dropping or air struts leaking, with warning messages[9]. In the 2 fuel system complaints, owners describe a car that stalled and would not restart, and a cracked fuel tank with a fuel smell and a part on back order[7]. In the 4 electrical complaints, owners describe a key that stopped working, warning messages with a transmission that would not shift, a wiring problem blamed for a misfire, and odd clock and tire-pressure behavior[5]. This is a small sample of complaints, not a measure of how often each problem happens.

Recalls

The NHTSA model-year table shows 0 recalls for the 2008 S-Class[2]. That is a count for this model year only. It is still smart to check any specific car's VIN for recalls before you buy.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions. The S550 versions rate best, at 16 MPG combined[3][13].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
S550, rear-wheel drive[3] 14 / 21 / 16 $5,150
S550 4matic, all-wheel drive[13] 14 / 20 / 16 $5,150
S600, 12-cylinder turbo[14] 11 / 17 / 13 $6,300
S63 AMG, 6.2L 8-cylinder[4] 11 / 17 / 13 $6,300
S65 AMG, 6.0L 12-cylinder turbo[15] 11 / 17 / 13 $6,300

All five use premium fuel[4][3][13][14][15]. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[3].

Engine and size

Our data has no horsepower figures for this model year. The only size data we have is listed under two CLS-Class variants in the Canadian specifications. It does not describe the S-Class itself, so we show it only for reference. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
CLS550 4-door coupe[16] 194 in 74 in 55 in 112 in 3,990 lb
CLS63 AMG 4-door coupe[17] 193 in 74 in 55 in 112 in 4,068 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

1995: 44 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 9 complaints, 1 recalls1997: 9 complaints, 0 recalls1998: 3 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 15 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 159 complaints, 5 recalls2001: 183 complaints, 6 recalls2002: 115 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 70 complaints, 3 recalls20032004: 49 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 26 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 30 complaints, 0 recalls2007: 63 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 19 complaints, 0 recalls1920082009: 2 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 16 complaints, 0 recalls2011: 9 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 13 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 8 complaints, 0 recalls2014: 24 complaints, 5 recalls2015: 49 complaints, 9 recalls20152016: 28 complaints, 7 recalls2017: 18 complaints, 10 recalls2018: 24 complaints, 13 recalls2019: 14 complaints, 12 recalls20192020: 8 complaints, 6 recalls2021: 1 complaints, 8 recalls2022: 46 complaints, 10 recalls2023: 4 complaints, 5 recalls20232024: 5 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 2 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S-Class model year. The 2008 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995440
199691
199790
199830
1999150
20001595
20011836
20021153
2003703
2004495
2005261
2006300
2007630
2008190
200921
2010160
201192
2012133
201380
2014245
2015499
2016287
20171810
20182413
20191412
202086
202118
20224610
202345
202453
202522
202610

The 2008 model year has 19 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. The 2007 year has 63 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. The 2009 year has 2 complaints and 1 recall[2]. The 2010 year has 16 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. So 2008 sits well below 2007 and a little above 2010 on complaints. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2008 S-Class?

The complaint file for this year is small and the model-year table shows no recalls[1][2]. The sampled complaints about tires, air suspension, the key and electrical messages are worth checking on any car you look at[6][9][5]. Fuel cost differs by version, with $5,150 a year for the S550[3][13] and $6,300 for the S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG in EPA's estimate[14][4][15]. Get a full inspection and a VIN recall check before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercedes S-Class?
Electrical system and tires have the most complaints, 4 each out of 19 total[1][5][6]. Sampled tire complaints describe tread breaking up and sidewall bulging[6].
Does the 2008 Mercedes S-Class have any recalls?
NHTSA's model-year table lists 0 recalls for 2008[2]. Check your VIN to be sure.
What MPG does a 2008 Mercedes S550 get?
EPA rates the rear-wheel-drive S550 at 14 city, 21 highway and 16 combined MPG[3]. The 4matic is 14, 20 and 16[13].
Is the 2008 S-Class a better year than 2007?
2008 has fewer NHTSA complaints than 2007 (19 versus 63), with 0 recalls for both[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz S-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for S550, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for S63 AMG, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic (S7), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $6,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 4 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 2 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 1 complaints name the equipment component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for S550 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for S600, 5.5L 12-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $6,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for S65 AMG, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $6,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CLS-CLASS CLS550 4DR COUPE RWD: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,990 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CLS-CLASS CLS63 AMG 4DR COUPE RWD: length 193 in, width 74 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,068 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.