Many people in Germany and Austria who type "mercedes-benz s-klasse" into Google mean the Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class — the company’s flagship saloon. That car is now at the centre of a major safety recall: Mercedes‑Benz has announced a campaign to replace front‑axle brake hoses after reports that the hoses can leak, a measure logged with the German regulator (KBA) this month.
What happened
According to technical bulletins and KBA data, the recall (manufacturer code 4391103, KBA reference 17121R) covers S‑Class vehicles of the W223 family with air suspension produced between 5 June 2019 and 28 November 2024. Worldwide, Mercedes‑Benz lists 215,231 vehicles in the campaign; 11,828 of those are registered in Germany. The prescribed remedy is replacement of the brake hoses at authorised workshops.
Mercedes‑Benz and the KBA warn that an oil‑like leak of brake fluid from a front‑axle hose can reduce braking performance; if fluid reaches the road surface it can also endanger other road users. Manufacturers and authorities say owners can check whether their VIN is affected and — if so — book a free appointment at a Mercedes‑Benz dealer.
How owners in Germany and Austria will be notified
The KBA maintains a public recall database and lists the measure under reference 17121R (publication date in the KBA feed: 23 October 2026). German owners receive formal letters where postal addresses are known; otherwise dealers and the KBA advise customers to use their VIN to verify whether a vehicle is included and to contact their local Mercedes‑Benz workshop for a free repair. Austrian owners are covered by the same manufacturer campaign even though the KBA is the German regulator; importers and Mercedes‑Benz Austria will handle owner contact and workshop appointments in Austria.
What this means for the market
A recall of this size touches several parts of the German and Austrian market. Dealers and authorised workshops must handle a wave of service bookings for a labour‑ and parts‑intensive replacement; fleet operators and corporate buyers need to check their fleets quickly. The presence of Maybach and AMG variants among the affected cars means the campaign spans ordinary owner‑drivers to high‑end corporate and chauffeur fleets. For buyers looking at second‑hand S‑Class models, the recall underlines the importance of a VIN check before purchase.
Mercedes‑Benz has not reported any injuries linked to the defect so far, and the company’s remedy is straightforward: authorised replacement of the front‑axle brake hoses at no cost to the owner. Nevertheless, the recall arrives as Mercedes navigates wider pressure on margins and production planning, making efficient workshop handling and communication to customers essential.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class listings on WorldTrader24 →
Sources: Autoflotte, Kraftfahrt‑Bundesamt (KBA), Schraubertermin, Autohaus.
