Lawsuit Investigation: Did the Tires on Your Mercedes S-Class Vehicle Fail? 

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether certain 2020-2024 Mercedes-Benz S500 and S580 vehicles have a defect that makes them prone to repeated blowouts and other tire, wheel and rim issues.

Many drivers—specifically those with 21-inch Pirelli tires—have reported that they’ve experienced blowouts, often on a recurring basis and on various sides of the car. 

Some consumers have also complained that bubbles formed on the sides of their tires, which may indicate that the tire’s structural integrity has failed and can lead to a blowout. Others say their luxury sedans have suffered deflated or punctured tires and cracked rims.

The attorneys are now looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against the automaker to help consumers get some money back, but first they need to hear from more drivers who have experienced these issues.

Complaints From Mercedes Drivers

Countless complaints have been posted online and submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) from Mercedes drivers who say they’ve had multiple tire blowouts, sometimes after driving over what seem like harmless potholes or enduring normal amounts of impact. Consumers have expressed concerns that these seemingly common issues can pose a significant safety risk, especially if tire failure occurs when driving at high speeds.

Some of the complaints can be read below [sic throughout]:

1. The tires//rims on this vehicle are causing extremely excessive tire blowouts. I have had at least 5 tire blowouts in the last 6 months alone along with 8-10 tire changes due to bubble forming on sidewall. This is a widespread issue on this vehicle in which I have read that many others are also experiencing the same. The vehicle is available for inspection. 2. A tire blowout while driving can be extremely hazardous especially on the freeway. 3. The problem with this vehicle has been confirmed with the dealer.”
— 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver, NHTSA.gov

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 equipped with Pirelli tires … The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the drove over a pothole and the driver’s side front tire experienced a blowout. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a bubble on the side shoulder of the tire, and the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was replaced. The contact stated that a similar failure reoccurred with the front passenger’s side tire and the rear driver’s side tire.”
— 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver, NHTSA.gov

I have had one tire blow out after traveling over a moderate pot hole, and 3 other tires that have been damaged with ‘bubbles’ due to excessive stress from normal driving. In addition to the damaged tires, I have had 3 bent wheels all due to normal driving because the 21 inch wheels/tires on this vehicle cannot tolerate the loads during normal driving. This is a well-known defect by Mercedes and I believe it is a design defect and that it is dangerous."
— 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver, NHTSA.gov

I have had 3 tire failures(blowouts)when I have hit potholes with my 21” wheels and Pirelli P Zero tires. I read on a MBZ Forum for my specific make of car - 2021/2022 MBZ S580 - that many others have experienced the same failures with these Pirelli tires. Those that have Michelin have had none. With such a small area between the road and the rim afforded by super low profile 21” setups, a tire like Pirelli with a weak sidewall will fail when the car strikes a pothole or obstruction. Another owner on the Forum said when he contacted Mercedes, they said it was not their problem, but Pirelli’s. Meanwhile, there are thousands of owners with this combination, many of which have already experienced failures. Something needs to be done before there are injuries, or worse.”
—   2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver, NHTSA.gov

I am an owner of a 2022 Mercedes Benz. The car is equipped with optional 21” AMG wheels paired with Pirelli P Zero MO-S (Mercedes original equipment) tires. P255/35R21 front and P285/30R21 rear.  With only 490 miles on the odometer I experienced a catastrophic failure of the front passenger-side tire after going over what seemed to be an insignificant pothole. While at the servicing dealer I noticed same car as mine with 21” wheels with a blown front driver-side tire and destroyed rim, I even took a picture of it. My service advisor confirmed that this is a very common issue that they see at least once or twice a month. That’s in a city with maybe a 100 of these cars in total ... This is a huge safety risk as these tires seem to be either defective or unsuitable for such a heavy vehicle. At high speeds this could lead to fatal accidents.”
— 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class driver, NHTSA.gov

Sold my W223 S580. Had numerous tire blow outs with the optional 21” rims. Heads up for those buying a W223, get 19 or 20” rims.. the number of blow outs on this car is nuts. Search google.”
— Dunnowhathatis, Reddit.com

This message is for those of you who are buying a new S580 or considering changing their existing 19” or 20” wheels and tire for 21”…… don’t ... The ultra low profile tires are a problem. With only a few inches of tire, my wheels come into contact with the curb when I parallel park sometimes, no matter how careful I am, causing abrasions on the wheel flanges ... Yesterday I had my second blowout and tire failure since I owned the car. Driving on San Diego’s ‘third world’ streets I hit a pothole - again - and blew the tire. In almost 70 years of driving that has never happened and I’m sure I’ve hit many potholes. My feeling is with so little tire between the rim and the road with super low profile tires, an sudden impact, even at 40 mph, may cause the tire to fail.”
— sjdille, MBWorld.org

How a Lawsuit Could Help

A class action lawsuit, if successful, could help drivers get back some of the money they spent on repairs and compensate them for loss of vehicle value. It could also force Mercedes to come up with a free fix for the apparent tire problems.

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