2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
2,097 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 33 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 15.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Wheels | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Communication | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Electrical System: 9; Wheels: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Communication: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2021: 6; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 7; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11449057 · 2022-01-27 (January 27, 2022)
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. On four occasions, car independently, without any warning, dropped from 70 mph to 35 mph, projecting me forward. No reduction in speed signage No small town drive through. With car and semi-truck traffic behind me, luckily no rear end collisions, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11449057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11449211 · 2022-01-28 (January 28, 2022)
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 drive car in middle of night so it would start the next morning to drive to work. Also, multiple electrical problems related to this issue ensue. Unreliable vehicle start up; too great a demand on electrical system. Vehicle taken in to dealer for service five times in six months since…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11449211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444036 · 2021-12-16 (December 16, 2021)
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 the failure in the braking system as well as the intelligent driving feature. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently shutoff and restarted without driving input. The brake assist feature did not engage because the driver was already activ…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,194 miles reported. Look up ODI 11444036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501439 · 2023-01-12 (January 12, 2023)
Driving on highway at about 50 mph when the brakes suddenly slammed on and brought car to a sudden, near stop. The stop was so sudden our seatbelts engaged and we thought we were struck in the rear by another car. Electrical module issues that cause battery to drain while vehicle is turned off have been ongoing since I purchased the car in October, 2021. Car has been in for service related to this problem 6 times and for over 60 days.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442018 · 2021-11-29 (November 29, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the contact pressed a button on the steering wheel to engage the cruise control function on the vehicle. The contact stated when driving past a mileage sign stating 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly reduce in speed to 40 MPH, while the contact was on the highway in the fast lane. The contact was able to move the vehicle over to the side of the road waited a few minutes took off the cruise control function and reapplied it back on and continued to drive the vehicl…
Owner-reported narrative. 976 miles reported. Look up ODI 11442018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527740 · 2023-06-19 (June 19, 2023)
Similar to recall campagn #2017020018 or 17V-078. My car may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear. Both the auto-P function and automatic parking brake will continue to operate as intended and prevent the vehicle from moving forward or rearward. The problem could also be the Mercedes Benz Intelligent Servo Module(ISM) module installed on the transmission side. Brought my car to dealer to fix, the 1st time on 4/14/2023 the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527740 at NHTSA ↗