The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size car that came with a choice of 3.5L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl and 6.0L 12-cyl engines. At 14 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Large Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 3.5L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.5L 12-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Automatic 7-spd, Automatic 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 12–19 city / 19–25 highway / 14–21 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,900–$5,850 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 423–635 grams per mile |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,732–5,997 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 6 configurations: S550, S400 Hybrid, S600, S63 AMG, S550 4matic, S65 AMG |
| Age | 14 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter…
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S550, S550 CGI, S63, S600 Bi-Turbo, S65 AMG, S550 4-Matic, and S550 CGI 4-Matic and S400 Hybrid vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2011, through July 30, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS)…
Risk: If all four wheel sensors in the subject vehicles are simultaneously malfunctioning or missing, the TPMS will provide an initial warning, but this warning will not automatically repeat on subsequent ignition cycles, failing to remind the dr
Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2011 vehicles including e-class (212 platform), manufactured from july 2010 through february 2011, r-class (251 platform), manufactured from april 2010 through april 2011, ml-class (w164 platform), manufactured from january 2010 through march 2011, gl-class (x164 platform)…
Risk: Diesel fuel may be deposited onto the highway and create the potential for a crash.
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with NHTSA. 1 report involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 81 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
1 of them is a warranty extension. Warranty extensions mean the manufacturer agreed to cover a specific repair beyond the normal warranty. They rarely still apply to a car this age, but they point to known weak spots.
Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the no
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the no
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing directio
Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
Xentry (Mercedes): the fuse and relay boxes (srb) in engine compartment or rear compartment has a malfunction and disruptions to communication paths causing a no start in
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2012 S-Classs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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