What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

NHTSA has 24 complaints. The largest named groups are unknown or other with 4, and brakes and steering with 3 each. The numbers are small.

Does the 2014 S-Class have recalls?

Yes, five: roof panel (23V854 and 21V197), eCall software (19V787), power steering control unit (16V899) and front seat belt anchor (13V576).

What is the gas mileage of a 2014 S-Class?

The EPA rates the S550 at 20 combined MPG, the S550 4matic at 19 and the S63 AMG 4matic at 18.

How much horsepower does a 2014 S-Class have?

The 4.7L 8-cylinder is rated 449 hp and the 5.5L 8-cylinder 577 hp.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Problems, Recalls, MPG

NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on file for the 2014 S-Class^[1]. It also has five recalls, and each one lists a free remedy^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6].

24owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[7]

18–20MPG combined (EPA)^[8]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 24 owner complaints for this model year^[1]. Four mention a crash, none mention a fire, two mention injuries and none report a death^[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The groups with the most complaints are:

Unknown or other: 4 complaints, 2 with a crash^[9]
Brakes: 3 complaints^[10]
Steering: 3 complaints^[11]
Air bags: 2 complaints, 2 with a crash and 1 with an injury^[12]
Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints^[13]
Visibility/wiper: 2 complaints, 1 with a crash^[14]
Power train: 2 complaints^[15]
Visibility: 2 complaints, 1 with an injury^[16]

These numbers are small, so no single group stands out as a common problem. We also read a few of the complaint texts. This is only a small sample.

Brakes. In a sample of 3 brake complaints we read, 2 describe the brake pads^[10]. One says the rear pads were put in wrongly at the factory. The other says the pads were badly corroded with no warning light^[10].
Steering. In a sample of 3 steering complaints, 1 describes a moaning noise when turning^[11]. Another links the problem to the power steering recall below and says the owner's car was not listed in that recall^[11]^[5].
Power train. In a sample of 2 complaints, 1 describes a hard shift at low speed^[15].
Air bags. In a sample of 2 complaints^[12], one owner says an air bag warning light came on soon after purchase. The other says the air bags did not deploy in a crash^[12].

Owners should treat these as reports to check, not as proof of how the whole fleet behaves.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first^[7]. The facts for each one list a free remedy.

Roof panel, expanded (23V854). Dated 2023-12-15^[2], covering 2,976 units^[2]. A front roof panel near the panoramic sunroof may have been glued badly during an earlier repair and could come off. A loose panel can become a road hazard and raise crash risk. Dealers replace the front panel for free^[2]. This recall expands 21V197.
Roof panel (21V197). Dated 2021-03-19, covering 15,096 units^[3]. Same kind of problem. The glue holding the front roof panel may weaken, and the panel could come off the car. The fix is a new front panel, installed by a dealer for free^[3]. The list in the recall includes 2014-2017 S550 models^[3].
eCall software (19V787). Dated 2019-11-01, covering 24,226 units^[4]. A software fault can make the emergency call system report the wrong date and time, which may pass on a wrong vehicle location. That could slow emergency responders. The maker started an over-the-air update, and dealers check or update the software for free^[4].
Power steering control unit (16V899). Dated 2016-12-14, covering 70 units^[5]. Poor soldering inside the control unit may switch off the power steering while driving. That raises crash risk. The recall also says the contact resistance can raise fire risk, even when the car is parked with the ignition off. Dealers replace the control unit for free^[5]. The recall lists 2014-2015 S550 models^[5].
Front seat belt anchor (13V576). Dated 2013-11-20, covering 290 units^[6]. Certain 2014 S550 cars built between April 11, 2013 and October 14, 2013^[6] may have a front belt anchor that is not fitted correctly. In a crash it could come loose and leave the occupant poorly secured. Dealers inspect and correct the anchor as needed, for free^[6].

Check the VIN with NHTSA or a Mercedes-Benz dealer to see which of these apply to a specific car.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three versions. All use premium fuel and an Automatic 7-spd^[8]^[17]^[18].

Version	City / Highway / Combined MPG	EPA annual fuel cost
S550, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, rear-wheel drive^[8]	17 / 26 / 20	$4,100
S550 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 4-wheel drive^[18]	16 / 26 / 19	$4,350
S63 AMG 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 4-wheel drive^[17]	15 / 23 / 18	$4,550

The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 4.7L 8-cylinder at 449 hp^[19] and the 5.5L 8-cylinder at 577 hp^[20].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
S550 4MATIC AWD LWB^[21]	207 in	75 in	59 in	124 in	4,564 lb
S550 4MATIC AWD SWB^[22]	202 in	75 in	59 in	120 in	4,519 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S-Class model year. The 2014 is highlighted^[7].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	44	0
1996	9	1
1997	9	0
1998	3	0
1999	15	0
2000	159	5
2001	183	6
2002	115	3
2003	70	3
2004	49	5
2005	26	1
2006	30	0
2007	63	0
2008	19	0
2009	2	1
2010	16	0
2011	9	2
2012	13	3
2013	8	0
2014	24	5
2015	49	9
2016	28	7
2017	18	10
2018	24	13
2019	14	12
2020	8	6
2021	1	8
2022	46	10
2023	4	5
2024	5	3
2025	2	2
2026	1	0

NHTSA shows 24 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2014 S-Class^[7]. The 2013 model year has 8 complaints and no recalls^[7]. The 2015 model year has 49 complaints and 9 recalls, and 2016 has 28 complaints and 7 recalls^[7].

So 2014 sits between 2013 and the two years after it on both counts. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 S-Class?

The complaint file is small, with 24 reports in total^[1]. The five recalls all list a free remedy, so ask for proof that each one that applies was done^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]. The power steering and roof panel recalls deserve the closest check because of their crash risk^[2]^[3]^[5]. Look closely at the brake pads and steering during a test drive, since both groups had 3 complaints^[10]^[11]. Our data does not cover price, reliability scores or maintenance costs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?: NHTSA has 24 complaints^[1]. The largest named groups are unknown or other with 4, and brakes and steering with 3 each^[1]^[9]^[10]^[11]. The numbers are small.
Does the 2014 S-Class have recalls?: Yes, five: roof panel (23V854 and 21V197), eCall software (19V787), power steering control unit (16V899) and front seat belt anchor (13V576)^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6].
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 S-Class?: The EPA rates the S550 at 20 combined MPG, the S550 4matic at 19 and the S63 AMG 4matic at 18^[8]^[18]^[17].
How much horsepower does a 2014 S-Class have?: The 4.7L 8-cylinder is rated 449 hp and the 5.5L 8-cylinder 577 hp^[19]^[20].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V854, filed December 15, 2023: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V197, filed March 19, 2021: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V787, filed November 1, 2019: Communication. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V899, filed December 14, 2016: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V576, filed November 20, 2013: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz S-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for S550, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
EPA rating for S63 AMG 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for S550 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with 4.7L 8-cylinder: rated 449 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with 5.5L 8-cylinder: rated 577 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S CLASS S550 4MATIC 4DR SEDAN AWD LWB: length 207 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 4,564 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S CLASS S550 4MATIC 4DR SEDAN AWD SWB: length 202 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,519 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.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: problems, recalls and fuel economy