2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 45. The most common issue is electrical problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: upon startup, the back up camera will not display when putting the car in reverse. i could not see if any pedestrians were behind me when backing out of a parking spot. this problem has happened 2 times in the last 2 weeks. so far, the camera resumes working after the car has been turned off and . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.
54
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
10 complaints- • Upon startup, the back up camera will not display when putting the car in reverse. I could not see if any pedestrians were behind me when backing out of a parking spot. This problem has happened 2 times in the last 2 weeks. So far, the camera resumes working after the car has been turned off and
- • The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact stated that while driving, the navigation system became inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V843000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do
- • Background: This is a V-8, gas vehicle.The 12-volt battery gives CRITICAL CHARGE notifications constantly. Incident: Dry pavement, 400-mile, January winter night, highway driving in Wisconsin Northwoods at posted 70 mph; some with cruise control, some without cruise control. Seat belt was in use
“Upon startup, the back up camera will not display when putting the car in reverse. I could not see if any pedestrians were behind me when backing out of a parking spot. This problem has happened 2 times in the last 2 weeks. So far, the camera resumes working after the car has been turned off and ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580
Based on 12 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 1K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (5)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Mercedes-Benz S 580 Service Intervals
Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles
These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2021 S 580, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: Upon startup, the back up camera will not display when putting the car in reverse. I could not see if any pedestrians were behind me when backing out of a parking spot. This problem has happened 2 times in the last 2 weeks. So far, the camera resumes working after the car has been turned off and
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed to function as needed while the brake pedal was being depressed. The failure resulted in a crash. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the accident occurred due to
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V843000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V365000 (Electrical System, Communication) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contac
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz S 580 — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 7
- Segment avg
- 45
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580