Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
612–630 PS
6.0L V12 BiTurbo AMG Benzin
630 hp V12 in the State Saloon — Total Drivetrain Supremacy
Legendary!408–455 PS
4.7L V8 BiTurbo Benzin
9 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 is available as Limousine and Coupé and Cabrio — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 is available with 12 engine variants — from 190 to 630 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Mercedes-Benz S 350d (Diesel, 258–286 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM642 (2013–2017, Stay Away!) und OM656 (2017–2020, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the S 350d!
The Mercedes-Benz S 400d (Diesel, 340 PS) has the OM656 (2.9L R6 Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 (Benziner, 585–612 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M157 (2013–2017, Stay Away!) und M177 (2017–2020, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the AMG S 63!
The Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 (Benziner, 630 PS) has the M279 (6.0L V12 BiTurbo AMG) — rated: "Be Careful", 12 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz S 400 (Benziner, 333–367 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M276 (2014–2017, Be Careful) und M276 (2015–2017, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the S 400!
The Mercedes-Benz S 450 (Benziner, 367 PS) has the M276 (3.0-3.5L V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz S 500 (Benziner, 455 PS) has the M278 (4.7L V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 9 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz S 560 (Benziner, 469 PS) has the M176 (4.0L V8 BiTurbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz S 600 (Benziner, 530 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M275 (2013–2019, Stay Away!) und M277 (2014–2020, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the S 600!
The Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG (Benziner, 630 PS) has the M275 (5.5L V12 BiTurbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 9 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz S 450 (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 367 PS) has the M256 (3.0L I6 Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 9 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid (Benziner Hybrid, 333 PS) has the M276 (3.0-3.5L V6) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| ABC/Magic Body Control hydraulics leaking The active electro-hydraulic ABC suspension requires intensive maintenance. Hydraulic lines, valve blocks and pumps can develop leaks. Hydraulic oil change required every 50,000 km. Symptoms: Warning 'visit workshop — ABC', vehicle rides harshly, bouncy handling from 120,000 km | High | |
| AIRMATIC air suspension failure Air bags and pressure hoses develop leaks. The compressor runs continuously and overheats. Repair: air bag pair 2,500–3,500 €, compressor 1,000–1,300 €. Symptoms: Vehicle sags on one side, compressor runs longer after starting, AIRMATIC fault message. from 100,000 km | High | |
| Airmatic/Magic Body Control air strut leaking Air struts on Airmatic and Magic Body Control suspensions develop leaks. Vehicle drops, suspension warning light appears. Repair per corner is very costly. Symptoms: Vehicle drops on one side, 'suspension' warning in instrument cluster, ride comfort deteriorates from 100,000 km | High | |
| Magic Body Control valve block defective The hydraulic Magic Body Control suspension is prone to valve block and hydraulic pump failures. Contamination in the oil causes system failures. Symptoms: ABC/suspension fault message, uncontrolled dropping, reduced ride comfort, hydraulic oil smell from 120,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 114 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 (2013–2020) — 96 engine-related and 18 vehicle-related. 4 problem engines: OM642 (3.0L V6 Diesel), M157 (5.5L V8 BiTurbo), M275 (5.5L V12 BiTurbo), M278 (4.7L V8 BiTurbo). Typical issues affect Suspension, Electronics, Brakes, Body.
S-Klasse (OM642, 2013–2017) — Stay Away!: Oil Cooler Gaskets Leaking — Oil and Coolant Loss, Swirl Flap Linkage Breaks — Plastic Joint Fails, Injector Seal Leaking — Soot Deposits and Diesel in Oil. Power: 252–258 PS.
S-Klasse (OM656, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Recall Coolant Pump — Fire Hazard (Action Code 2090008), Bosch CP4 Pump Sensitive to Fuel Quality, Coolant Pump Leaking — Fire Risk (Recall). Power: 286 PS.
S-Klasse (OM656, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Recall Coolant Pump — Fire Hazard (Action Code 2090008), Bosch CP4 Pump Sensitive to Fuel Quality, Coolant Pump Leaking — Fire Risk (Recall). Power: 340 PS.
S-Klasse (M157, 2013–2017) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretch — M157 BiTurbo V8, Oil Consumption from Piston Ring Wear, High-Pressure Fuel Pump Fails — No Fuel Pressure. Power: 585 PS.
S-Klasse (M275, 2013–2019) — Stay Away!: Ignition module bank failure (two banks at ~€1,400 each), Turbocharger wear and wastegate wear, ABC hydraulic lines and engine mounts — double defect. Power: 530 PS.
S-Klasse (M278, 2013–2017) — Stay Away!: Timing chain tensioner failure (early production), Cylinder bore scoring (Silitec coating), Camshaft adjuster solenoid — oil destroys ECU. Power: 455 PS.
S-Klasse (M276, 2014–2017) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 367 PS.
S-Klasse (M275, 2014–2019) — Stay Away!: Ignition module bank failure (two banks at ~€1,400 each), Turbocharger wear and wastegate wear, ABC hydraulic lines and engine mounts — double defect. Power: 630 PS.
S-Klasse (M277, 2014–2020) — Be Careful: Ignition module bank failure (two banks at ~€1,400 each), Turbocharger bearing wear and oil loss, ABC Lines Leaking — Hydraulic Fluid Loss. Power: 530 PS.
S-Klasse (M279, 2014–2019) — Be Careful: Ignition module bank failure — two potted units at ~€1,400 each, Turbocharger bearing wear — full turbo pair replacement, Oil cooler gasket leaking in the V-valley. Power: 630 PS.
S-Klasse (M276, 2015–2017) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 333 PS.
S-Klasse (M176, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Timing Chain Stretch — M176 4.0L V8, Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Draws Oil into Wiring Harness, Coolant Pump Leaking. Power: 469 PS.
S-Klasse (M177, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: MCT Gearbox — Clutch Wears in City Traffic, Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Draws Oil into Wiring Harness, Camshaft Cover Gasket Leaking — Hot-V Area. Power: 612 PS.
S-Klasse (M256, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: 48V ISG Battery Failure, Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaking — Oil in Wiring Harness, Elevated Oil Consumption at Higher Mileage. Power: 367 PS.
S-Klasse (M276, 2013–2017) — Be Careful: Oil cooler leaking in the V-block, Camshaft adjuster leaking — wiring harness contaminated, Piston slap (early 3.5L variants). Power: 306 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee