Mercedes Widens S-Class Brake Hose Recall to 30,000 Cars After Its First Theory Failed
The front brake hoses on 2022–2025 S-Class, Maybach and AMG S 63 models can rupture without warning. Mercedes first blamed climate, then widened the recall by nearly 10,000 cars.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 30,064 S-Class sedans in the U.S. because the front brake hoses can rupture and leak brake fluid. The campaign, NHTSA number 26V638, replaces a smaller recall from February 2025 that covered 20,339 cars and rested on a theory Mercedes has now dropped.
The recall covers the generation of the flagship sold from the 2022 through 2025 model years. The updated S-Class now arriving at U.S. dealers is not affected, because Mercedes says cars built from November 29, 2024, use an improved hose.
Which cars are affected
- S 580 4MATIC: 16,881 cars
- S 500 4MATIC: 7,143 cars
- S 580e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid: 2,277 cars
- Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance: 1,746 cars
- Mercedes-Maybach S 680: 1,070 cars
- Mercedes-Maybach S 580: 947 cars
All were built between February 2, 2021, and November 28, 2024, according to reports citing the recall report filed with NHTSA.
Why the recall grew
The 2025 recall blamed climate exposure and a narrow production window. That explanation fell apart when failures turned up outside the U.S., in markets with very different weather. Mercedes sent suspect hoses back to supplier Continental for testing, and after a review in July 2026 it extended the recall to every car built before the redesigned hose went into production.
The company now attributes the ruptures to heat and mechanical stress on the hose over time. A rupture drains one of the car's two hydraulic brake circuits. The brakes still work, but stopping distances get longer, and the red brake warning appears only once fluid is already leaking.
Mercedes has logged three reports in the U.S. within the newly added cars, in April, May and August of this year. The reports citing the filing mention no crashes.
What owners should do
Dealers will replace both front brake hoses at no charge. Owner letters are due no later than November 27, and VINs can already be checked at NHTSA's recall lookup. Owners who had the hoses replaced under the 2025 recall should confirm with a dealer whether their car needs the new part.
It is the latest in a run of large recalls this fall, following Volkswagen's ID.4 battery recall with an 80% charging limit.
