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 172 complaints over 10 years (17.2/yr) with no recalls, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. S Class owners report electrical and forward collision issues, while Camry owners face powertrain and brake problems. 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 that, in ownership terms, demands attention to its complex electronics and driver-assistance systems. Over the past decade, owners have reported a steady stream of issues, averaging about 17 complaints per year, with the most frequent problems centered on the electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and brakes. While the total number of complaints is relatively low, the nature of the failures—such as unexpected braking, seat belt tightening, and even a small fire—suggests that when problems occur, they can be alarming and potentially safety-related.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 214 per year, but this is partly due to its large sales base. The top problem areas are the powertrain, engine, and brakes, with owners frequently reporting transmission issues, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures. Despite the higher raw numbers, the Camry's issues are often more mechanical and less electronic than the S Class, and it has had numerous recalls to address some of these concerns.
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 | 172 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 17.2 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 Better | 163 |
| 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
- 03SERVICE BRAKES23
- 04ENGINE23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
Owners report harsh shifting and transmission drivability issues, as well as a burning odor and smoke from a fire under the driver's seat, indicating potential electrical faults that can lead to serious safety hazards.
The system can cause the vehicle to shut off at stop lights, decelerate without driver input on the highway, and misread speed limit signs, leading to sudden speed changes and potential loss of control.
Brake actuators have been reported to seize, making the rear brakes inoperable, and there are instances of the seat belt tightening unexpectedly as if preparing for an impact, which can be disconcerting and dangerous.
Engine issues include jerking upon acceleration with an auxiliary battery warning, and service reminders appearing prematurely, indicating possible problems with the engine management system or auxiliary components.
“I am reporting a recurring transmission/drivability issue with my 2024 Mercedes-Benz S580. The vehicle has been experiencing a harsh, abnormal shift between approximately 3rd and 4th gear at around 25–35 mph during normal acceleration. The shift feels like a…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while parking their vehicle, a burning-leather odor entered the cabin, and they noticed smoke in the cabin. The contact noticed a small fire beneath the driver's seat. The fire was extinguish…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with grinding noises and the need for complete transmission replacement reported, especially in 2021 models, and parts may be on backorder, leaving owners without a vehicle.
Sudden acceleration incidents have occurred, leading to crashes, and there are reports of engine maintenance required messages related to a coolant valve bypass recall that may not apply to all VINs, causing confusion and potential safety risks.
Brake failure has been reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a hill, and in parking lots, the brake may not engage properly, leading to collisions with objects like parking blocks.
While not as prominent as other issues, electrical problems can manifest as AC condenser damage from rocks, and recurring HVAC odors that are unpleasant and may indicate design flaws.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder 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 — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ S Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz S Class has far fewer complaints per year (17.2) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the S Class's issues are more concentrated in advanced electronics and safety systems, which can be more expensive and complex to repair. In practice, the Camry's higher complaint count is partly due to its popularity, but its problems are often more mechanical and may be addressed by recalls, whereas the S Class's issues may require specialized diagnostics and could be more concerning for safety.
Key differences
- The S Class has a much lower complaint rate (17.2/yr) than the Camry (214.3/yr), but the S Class's complaints often involve advanced safety systems like forward collision avoidance and electrical fires, which can be more dangerous.
- The Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, addressing issues like air bag sensors and wheel lugs, while the S Class has zero recalls, meaning owners must rely on dealer service for fixes.
- S Class owners report problems with adaptive cruise control and automatic braking, while Camry owners report sudden acceleration and transmission failures, indicating different types of reliability concerns.
- The S Class's issues are more electronic and software-related, while the Camry's are more mechanical, such as transmission grinding and brake failure.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, such as burning smells or smoke from under the seats, and have the electrical system thoroughly inspected.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems on a test drive to ensure they do not cause unexpected braking or speed changes.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and have the transmission fluid and system checked by a mechanic.
- Test the brakes in a safe area, especially at low speeds, to ensure they respond properly and do not fail to engage.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the Camry, especially for air bags and wheel lugs.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic familiar with each brand, focusing on the specific problem areas.
- For the S Class, ask for service records related to electrical system updates or repairs, and verify that any software updates are current.
- For the Camry, ask about transmission service history and whether any transmission replacements have been performed.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to evaluate braking and acceleration behavior.
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 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 6 | 48 |
| 2023 | 12 | 62 |
| 2022 | 46 | 59 |
| 2021 | 34 | 155 |
| 2020 | 7 | 270 |
| 2019 | 16 | 393 |
| 2018 | 29 | 736 |
| 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
- 172
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ S Class avg complaints/year
- 17.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ S Class
- Mercedes BENZ S Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN