BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 25. The most common issue is electrical problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: s400 is a hybrid from mercedes benz and when driven over 40 miles in distance then the ac will turn on no matter what. we tried to turn it off but can not. mb dealer told us it is normal operations but this is a major issue as in the winter the ac also turns on. this has happened many times and mb d.

25

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints
40%
  • • S400 IS A HYBRID FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND WHEN DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES IN DISTANCE THEN THE AC WILL TURN ON NO MATTER WHAT. WE TRIED TO TURN IT OFF BUT CAN NOT. MB DEALER TOLD US IT IS NORMAL OPERATIONS BUT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AS IN THE WINTER THE AC ALSO TURNS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MB D
  • • I WAS DRIVING, TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, I TOOK EXIT WHICH IS A 270 DEGREE CIRCLE WITH SHARP TURNS, I AM NOT DRIVING FAST AT ALL BUT THE CAR JUST STALLED WHILE DRIVING, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I ALMOST FALL DOWN THE HILL, I ALMOST DIED, THIS PRODUCT HAS SERIOUS QUALITY ISSUES. I WAS DRIVIN
  • • VEHICLE BEGAN TO CUT COMPLETELY OFF WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT BEGAN TO TAKE LONGER AND LONGER TO RESTART WHEN TURNED OFF AND ON. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD AND THE COST TO REPLAC
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“S400 IS A HYBRID FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND WHEN DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES IN DISTANCE THEN THE AC WILL TURN ON NO MATTER WHAT. WE TRIED TO TURN IT OFF BUT CAN NOT. MB DEALER TOLD US IT IS NORMAL OPERATIONS BUT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AS IN THE WINTER THE AC ALSO TURNS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MB D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
1
30-60K
7
60-100K
5
100-150K
7
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

High-mileage issuemedian 81K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,527/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,821
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz S400 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 155K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
4 yr / 50K mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

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 2010 S400, 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 25 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: S400 IS A HYBRID FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND WHEN DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES IN DISTANCE THEN THE AC WILL TURN ON NO MATTER WHAT. WE TRIED TO TURN IT OFF BUT CAN NOT. MB DEALER TOLD US IT IS NORMAL OPERATIONS BUT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AS IN THE WINTER THE AC ALSO TURNS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MB D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: PURCHASED A MERCEDES BENZ S400 HYBRID LAST YEAR WITH 20,000 MILES DRIVEN. THIS CAR RETAILS NEW FOR $119,000. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP AT EWING MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO SINCE MAY 2013 OVER 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME ENGINE LIGHT AND CODE. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: PURCHASED A MERCEDES BENZ S400 HYBRID LAST YEAR WITH 20,000 MILES DRIVEN. THIS CAR RETAILS NEW FOR $119,000. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP AT EWING MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO SINCE MAY 2013 OVER 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME ENGINE LIGHT AND CODE. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: S400 IS A HYBRID FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND WHEN DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES IN DISTANCE THEN THE AC WILL TURN ON NO MATTER WHAT. WE TRIED TO TURN IT OFF BUT CAN NOT. MB DEALER TOLD US IT IS NORMAL OPERATIONS BUT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AS IN THE WINTER THE AC ALSO TURNS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MB D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz S400 — Year Comparison

How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2011
8Above Average
2010
25Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
25

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400

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