Most common 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz S400 complaints by model year
Best S400 years: 2012, 2011. Compare all years →
What 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 owners say
Electrical system
The car first started to stop intermittently without any warning at all at the traffic intersection, then I was able to start it again after shutting every thing down. Then a month later, the same thing happened again but this time I was not able to start the car again. This could be a very dangerous safety situation if the engine shuts down while I was driving on the freeway. Mercedes only provided temporary solution by replacing the car hybrid inverter power electronic control unit through a campaign bulletin 2012080004. This bulletin applies to Mercedes S400, 2010-2012 year model. However, the main problem still remains and poses a very serious safety issue for all the driver and passengers. This is not an isolate problem. Its a very known problem for lots of owners for those model years. My contact email address is "[redacted]" should you need to contact me. …
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 driving in down town manhattan with two of my most important clients, we were going to an art auction, the car just stalled when I stopped at red light and will not restart, me and my clients were wearing 3 piece suits and its more than 90 degrees out, we were sweating like crazy, I believe the car's poor quality made it to fail without any signs.
Engine & cooling
The S400 hybrid has a habit of stalling when in a stop position. This requires a complete re-start at a stop light or after having come to a complete stop. In addition the air conditioning shuts off and does not come back on until you stop for a few minutes and re-start the vehicle. The car stalling is very un-safe. The car stalls at a stop position.
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 from the director of service oversight. Since these repairs Mercedes Benz corporate in Germany took the car off the market and no longer make it available for purchase in the united states. Ewing gave me an appraisal this afternoon for the vehicle and it has dropped 50% of its value since I purchased it on 11/02/2012 because the above mentions. Mercedes Benz offered to give $2,000.00 for their trade assist program yet I am upside down after just a year and they no longer offer this model? …
Fuel & propulsion system
Strong gas orders from interior after fill up. Stationary, in motion, stopped. To the point of nausea and light headedness. 2011 is on recall list for gas pump and sender replacement, plus warranty extension to 15 years for this problem. This needs to also include the 2010 S400 hybrids vehicle has only 87,000 miles on it, and cannot be driven due to possible fuel ingition and the possibility of a catastrophic fire. Please respond with the utmost of haste, lives are at stake. Death by fire is horrific.
Car stalls constantly, loose fuel cap warning comes on, check engine light comes on. I have replaced the fuel cap, checked vehicle codes, but cannot get the issue identified. A vehicle stalling like this is a tremendous safety hazard, and it May be possible that there is an issue with the fuel delivery system in this year model, just as there was with the 2011-2012 models which resulted in a recall. This happens both when the vehicle is stationary and in motion.
2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 S400 rates average: 2.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the S400 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400?
The electrical system — 10 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz S400?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2011. See the full Mercedes-Benz S400 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.