Model year guide

2021 Mercedes-benz S 500

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 98 on record.

2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 at a glance

Safety recalls7
Combined24 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 recalls 7

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components NHTSA Campaign #25V116000 · manufacturer #2025030007 · 24/02/2025

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 S 500, Maybach S 580 4MATIC, 2021-2023 S 580 4MATIC, 2022 S 680 4MATIC, and 2023 S 580e 4MATIC vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025030007.

Communication: Auto Crash Notification NHTSA Campaign #24V807000 · manufacturer #2024110002 · 25/10/2024

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 Maybach S 580 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC, and S 580 4MATIC vehicles. The emergency call system may fail to place an automatic or manual call and may not provide the vehicle location as intended.

Fix: Dealers will update the communication module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024110002.

Back Over Prevention:display Function NHTSA Campaign #22V493000 · manufacturer #2022080002 · 11/07/2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 AMG EQS53, EQS580, EQS450, 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error in the MBUX multimedia system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Fix: Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022080002.

Communication: Auto Crash Notification NHTSA Campaign #22V365000 · manufacturer #See Recall Schedule · 20/05/2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling…

Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owne…

Steering:column NHTSA Campaign #22V214000 · manufacturer #2022040006 · 01/04/2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S580 4Matic and S500 4Matic vehicles. The electrical connector to the steering column module may not be secured properly, which can disable gear shifts and/or safety features including the electronic stability program, the driver's air bag, and turn signal indicators.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the cover for the electrical connector, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040006.

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights NHTSA Campaign #22V167000 · manufacturer #2022040013 · 18/03/2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 EQS 450, EQS 580, and 2021 S500 and S580 vehicles. A software error may disable the rear turn signals, hazard lights, and reverse lights.

Fix: Dealers will update the rear signal software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040013.

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger NHTSA Campaign #21V789000 · manufacturer #2021100010 · 11/10/2021

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The air bag control unit software may deactivate the occupant recognition control unit, resulting in a deactivated front passenger air bag.

Fix: Dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021100010. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 8 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,400
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 9-spd
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume112 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,000
Fuel only$17,000
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 vehicles on record

Other Mercedes-benz S 500 model years

2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Mercedes-benz S 500. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 get?

The 2021 Mercedes-benz S 500 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.