2017 Mercedes-Benz S400L

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz S400L is a luxury sedan known for its opulent interior, smooth ride, and advanced technology. The S400L model is equipped with a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine producing 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission. Other engine options for the 2017 S-Class include the S550 (4.7L V8), S600 (6.0L V12), and AMG variants with even more powerful engines. The S-Class is praised for its comfort, sophisticated features, and elegant design. However, some owners have reported issues with the car’s complex electronics, air suspension, and certain engine components.

Engine

3.0L Twin-Turbo V6

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can develop around the valve cover gaskets and the front timing cover. Symptoms include visible oil leaks on the engine, oil puddles under the car, and a burning oil smell.
  • Solution: Replacement of the leaking gaskets or resealing the timing cover.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported premature turbocharger failure or issues with the wastegate actuator. Symptoms include loss of power, unusual noises from the engine bay, and fault codes related to turbocharger performance.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty turbocharger or repair of the wastegate actuator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $4,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-Speed Automatic

• Rough Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: The transmission may exhibit rough or delayed shifting, especially between certain gears.
  • Solution: A software update may resolve some issues. If not, valve body replacement or transmission rebuild/replacement may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 (software update) - $4,000+ (transmission rebuild)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• AIRMATIC Air Suspension Problems
  • Description/Symptoms: The AIRMATIC air suspension system is known to have issues with air leaks in the struts, failure of the air compressor, or problems with the control module. Symptoms include the car sitting unevenly, the suspension not adjusting properly, and error messages on the dashboard.
  • Solution: Replacement of the leaking air struts, air compressor, or control module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2,000+ per strut, $600 - $1,500+ for the compressor
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported excessive battery drain, leading to a dead battery, especially when the car is left unused for a few days.
  • Solution: Identifying and repairing the source of the parasitic drain, which can be caused by faulty modules or wiring issues.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ (depending on the source)
  • Recalls: None Found
• COMAND System Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The COMAND infotainment system can experience various issues, including screen freezing, system crashes, Bluetooth connectivity problems, and navigation malfunctions.
  • Solution: Software updates may resolve some issues, but in some cases, replacement of the COMAND unit may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (software update) - $2,000+ (COMAND unit replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• No Issues Found

Interior

• Sunroof Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with the sunroof getting stuck, making unusual noises, or leaking.
  • Solution: Cleaning and lubricating the sunroof tracks, or replacement of faulty sunroof components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $800+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz S400L, while a luxurious and technologically advanced vehicle, has some common issues reported by owners. The most prevalent problems involve the AIRMATIC air suspension, electrical system glitches, and potential oil leaks from the engine. Repair costs can range from a few hundred dollars for minor issues to several thousand dollars for major repairs like suspension components or turbocharger replacements. The severity of these issues can vary, but potential buyers should be aware of these common complaints.