DecodedCars2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- S350 Bluetec 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD, S400 Hybrid 4dr Sedan RWD, S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD Long Wheelb, S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD Short Wheel
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 200.8–205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,453–4,872 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a large car offered with 4 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 205 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 125-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,696 lb (S350 Bluetec 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 25 highway), 11% better than the 2012 large car average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file.
What changed for 2012
- Engine added: 4.7L 8-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 S-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S350 Bluetec 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,696 lb | 52/48 |
| S400 Hybrid 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,453 lb | 52/48 |
| S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD Long Wheelb | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,619 lb | 52/48 |
| S550 4matic 4dr Sedan AWD Short Wheel | 200.8 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 119.7 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,575 lb | 52/48 |
| S600 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.9 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,872 lb | 52/48 |
| S63 Amg 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 73.6 in | 58.7 in | 124.8 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,784 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S400 Hybrid Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +11% | $3,900 | 423 |
| S550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 25 / 19 | +1% | $4,350 | 468 |
| S63 AMG | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -5% | $4,550 | 494 |
| S550 4matic | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 7-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | -5% | $4,550 | 494 |
| S65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 19 / 15 | -21% | $5,500 | 592 |
| S600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 19 / 14 | -26% | $5,850 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Similar 2012 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 BMW 7 Series | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Tesla Model S | 265 mi | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Audi A8 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 3, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V496000 · 6,872 vehicles
- Problem
- 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), MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 S-CLASS (221 PLATFORM) VEHICLES. THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA AROUND THE HEATING COMPONENT.
- Risk
- DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DEPOSITED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
- Fix
- MBUSA WILL CONTACT OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ USA AT 1-800-367-6372.
Not every 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 S-Class | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 S-Class | 23 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 S-Class | 24 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S-Class | 24 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 S-Class | 23 | 209.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 S-Class | 24 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 S-Class | 24 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 S-Class | 23 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 S-Class | 23 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 S-Class | 22 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 S-Class | 26 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 S-Class | 26 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →