Last updated: 2026-10-10

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S: Reliability Compared

More ReliableMercedes-Benz EQS reliability comparison

Mercedes-Benz EQS

52
MixedReliability score: 52 out of 100, rated Mixed
VS
Tesla Model S reliability comparison

Tesla Model S

41
MixedReliability score: 41 out of 100, rated Mixed

On reliability, the Mercedes-Benz EQS beats the Tesla Model S by a wide margin. Owners report far fewer problems per car sold. The Model S also has many more crash-linked complaints, led by unintended acceleration, steering lockups, and phantom braking, which is the deciding gap.

How Do the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S Generations Compare?

Youth defines the EQS. Its first generation (V297) began with the 2022 model year, and a facelift arrived for 2024. Only three model years exist, so a used shopper is choosing among those, and the earliest is the one with the weakest record. The Model S has stayed in its first generation since 2013. Major facelifts came in 2017 and 2021. Used shoppers will mostly see cars from 2018 onward, and the 2021 facelift year ranks among the weakest. Its long run means more complaints and recalls have piled up simply from years on the road.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is more reliable than the Tesla Model S, scoring 52/100 vs 41/100.

A large gap separates these two, and it favors the EQS. Owners filed 63.8 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 160 for the Model S. The Model S also carries far more crash-linked reports, including unintended acceleration and steering lockups. The EQS has real faults, mainly shutdowns and phantom braking, but its record is smaller and less severe. Both sit at a mixed standing on their own, so the EQS lead is relative. It is not a clean bill of health.

Key Differences

  1. 1Mercedes-Benz EQS has 201 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Mercedes-Benz EQS has 96.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Mercedes-Benz EQS scores 11 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Mercedes-Benz EQS
—
0Tesla Model S
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S: Which Is More Reliable?

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricMercedes-Benz EQSTesla Model S
Reliability Score52/10041/100
Years Tracked38
Total Recalls26227
Complaints per 10k Sold63.8160
Year Wins2 (1 tied)0 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S?

Phantom braking shows up on both cars, but the Model S pairs it with more dangerous failures. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at parking speed, a steering wheel that locks or stiffens with a "steering assist reduced" message, screens going dark, and total loss of power. Steering is a top problem area for the Model S with many crash-linked reports, and it is not among the EQS main problem areas. The EQS problems center on shutdowns while driving with "Battery malfunction" warnings, melted charging inlets, hard braking with no obstacle, and a sunroof that shattered at highway speed.

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S common problem areas comparison
ComponentMercedes-Benz EQSTesla Model S
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10.8Above Avg34High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13.7Above Avg17.1High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6.8Average19.8High
SERVICE BRAKES13.1Above Avg11.1Above Avg
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2.8Low18.1High
STEERING—None17.8High
SUSPENSION—None9.1Above Avg
STRUCTURE5.1Average2.5Low
POWER TRAIN1.7Low2.6Low
AIR BAGS—None3.4Average
LANE DEPARTURE—None1.9Low
WHEELS1.7Low—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION—None1.1Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None0.3Very Low
SEATS—None0.3Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S Reliability Compare by Year?

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S year-by-year reliability scores
YearMercedes-Benz EQSTesla Model SEdge
202461/1004R / 6C42/10019R / 316CMercedes-Benz EQS
202352/1008R / 61C32/10043R / 1307CMercedes-Benz EQS
202244/10014R / 45C44/10018R / 796CTie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS scored 61/100 and the 2022 Tesla Model S scored 44/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQS vs the Tesla Model S?

Pick the EQS if you want the lower-risk car. Its complaint rate is well under half the Model S rate, and unintended acceleration and steering lockups are not among its main problem areas. Target the 2024, listed among its stronger years, and be wary of the 2022. The 2023 appears on both its strong and weak lists, so inspect one closely. Ask whether a car has had a shutdown or charging port fault, and check the sunroof and DC fast charging history. Pick the Model S only if price or availability pushes you there, and accept the added risk. Look at the 2019, one of its stronger years, and avoid the 2021 and 2023, its weakest. The 2025 also ranks well, but it has had less time to collect complaints. Budget for out-of-warranty repairs: owners quoted $2,500 for a steering rack and $3,000 for a heat pump repair. Test the brakes and steering on a long drive.

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S: Common Questions

Is the Mercedes-Benz EQS more reliable than the Tesla Model S?
Yes, by a large gap. Owners filed 63.8 complaints per 10,000 EQS sold, against 160 for the Model S. The Model S also has far more crash-linked reports. The EQS still has shutdown, charging port, and phantom braking problems, so check any car you consider.
Which has more recalls, the EQS or the Model S?
The Model S has far more, with 227 recalls across 8 model years. The EQS has 26 across 3 model years. Part of that gap is time on the road, since the Model S has been sold much longer. Still, the Model S total is large by any measure.
Which is cheaper to repair, the EQS or the Model S?
The data here does not include repair-cost figures for both cars, so no clear answer exists. Owner reports give a rough picture. Model S owners quoted $2,500 for a steering rack and $3,000 for heat pump repairs. One EQS owner quoted near $3000 for grille and camera damage.
Do the EQS and Model S both have phantom braking?
Yes. Owners of both cars report hard braking with nothing ahead, sometimes with seat belts tightening on the EQS. On the Model S it often happens on Autopilot or cruise control at highway speed. Dealers of the EQS usually could not find a cause, and some repeat visits went unresolved.
Which Model S years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2021 and 2023, which rank as the weakest years. The 2019 ranks among the strongest, and the 2025 does too, though it has had less time to collect complaints. Whatever year you pick, test the steering and brakes before buying.

Related Reliability Comparisons

Decided between Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

See incorrect data? Report an issue