Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ S Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ S Class and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ S Class vs Toyota Camry: The S-Class has 17.1 complaints per year and 0 recalls, while the Camry has 208.1 complaints per year and 28 recalls. The S-Class suffers from electrical and brake issues; the Camry from powertrain and unintended braking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ S Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ S Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a luxury flagship with a relatively low complaint rate of 17.1 per year, but owners report persistent electrical gremlins, especially a 12-volt battery that constantly warns of critical charge, even on long highway drives. Forward collision avoidance and brake issues also appear, with some crashes at low speeds. The lack of recalls suggests fewer systemic safety defects, but the electrical and brake problems can be frustrating and costly.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher complaint rate of 208.1 per year, with 28 recalls covering seats, wheels, and air bag sensors. Owners report powertrain issues like the engine turning off while in drive, stuck ignition keys, and unintended braking. Spontaneous moonroof shattering and engine vibrations add to concerns. Despite Toyota's reputation, the Camry's complaint volume and recall count indicate more frequent problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ S Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 171 Better | 2,081 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 28 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 177 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 17.1 Better | 208.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 Better | 161 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercedes BENZ S Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE30
- 03ENGINE23
- 04SERVICE BRAKES23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
Owners report the 12-volt starter battery repeatedly displays 'BATTERY CHARGE Status Critical' messages, requiring immediate driving to avoid a no-start, even after long trips. This can leave you stranded or force middle-of-the-night drives.
The system can fail intermittently due to a defective hood lens, causing brakes to not engage at low speeds (e.g., 5 mph) and leading to crashes. The adaptive driver assistance may work unpredictably, increasing collision risk.
Engine issues are often tied to the electrical system, with the battery warning appearing alongside jerking when accelerating. The V-8 engine may also exhibit hesitation or surging linked to auxiliary battery problems.
Brakes can fail to function when the pedal is depressed, causing crashes at low speeds. Some owners also report a damaged shift lever module that prevents gear selection and disables automatic parking features.
“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…”
“Issue: STARTER BATTERY Repetitive online and dashboard screen message notices stating, "BATTERY CHARGE Status Critical," at all hours of day and night requesting immediate 30-60-min. of driving or car will not start. Have had to wake up from nightime sleep to…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN384
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER332
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
The vehicle can be turned off and the key removed while still in Drive, with no warning, allowing it to roll away. Also, the ignition key may become stuck and require battery disconnection to remove.
The moonroof can spontaneously shatter while driving, sounding like a gunshot, with no external cause. This is a safety hazard from falling glass and can occur at any time.
Engine noise and vibration are common, with a musty smell in the trunk and rust spots reported. A vibration sound when braking may also be engine-related, though dealers often cannot replicate it.
Brakes can erroneously activate, causing unintended deceleration. Grinding noises from rear brakes and thumping sounds from the driver's side are also reported, with dealers unable to diagnose.
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercedes BENZ S Class
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 28 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ S Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has far fewer complaints per year (17.1 vs 208.1) and no recalls, suggesting a lower frequency of issues overall. However, its electrical and brake problems can be serious and expensive. The Camry's higher complaint rate and 28 recalls indicate more widespread and varied problems, but many are less severe.
Key differences
- The S-Class has 17.1 complaints per year vs the Camry's 208.1, a 12x difference.
- The S-Class has 0 recalls, while the Camry has 28, covering seats, wheels, and air bag sensors.
- S-Class owners report persistent 12-volt battery warnings and intermittent brake failure; Camry owners report powertrain issues like key stuck in ignition and unintended braking.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (177 vs 6) and injuries (161 vs 7), but both have 1 death.
- Check for repeated 'BATTERY CHARGE Status Critical' messages on the dashboard, even after a long drive.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system at low speeds to ensure it brakes properly; look for a cracked or defective hood lens.
- Try turning off the engine and removing the key while in Drive to see if the vehicle warns you or prevents it.
- Inspect the moonroof for cracks or signs of stress, and listen for unusual engine vibrations or brake grinding during a test drive.
Before you buy
- On the S-Class, verify the 12-volt battery is healthy and no critical charge warnings appear after a 30-minute drive.
- On the Camry, test the ignition key removal in Park and Drive to ensure it only releases in Park.
- Check for any open recalls on the Camry using the VIN, especially for seats and air bag sensors.
- Test drive both vehicles at low speeds (5-10 mph) and brake suddenly to check for unintended braking or failure.
- Inspect the Camry's moonroof for any damage and listen for rattles or vibrations from the engine and brakes.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mercedes BENZ S Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 97 |
| 2025 | 0 | 140 |
| 2024 | 6 | 46 |
| 2023 | 12 | 60 |
| 2022 | 46 | 57 |
| 2021 | 33 | 154 |
| 2020 | 7 | 264 |
| 2019 | 16 | 387 |
| 2018 | 29 | 728 |
| 2017 | 22 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercedes BENZ S Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ S Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total complaints
- 171
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,081
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 28
- Mercedes BENZ S Class avg complaints/year
- 17.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 208.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ S Class
- Mercedes BENZ S Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN