2022–2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Brake Hose Recall: California Rights

The 2022–2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class brake hose recall (NHTSA 26V-638), filed October 2, 2026, covers 30,064 U.S. S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, and Mercedes-AMG sedans because a front brake hose may leak or rupture, reducing braking performance. It expands the 2025 brake hose recall, 25V-116, after Mercedes-Benz determined the original production-period and climate-based limits were too narrow. A recall alone does not establish a California lemon law claim, but prior brake complaints, failed repairs, or a serious loss of braking can warrant an early case review. Owners should check their VIN now rather than wait for a recall letter.

Mercedes-Benz reports that leaking brake fluid can reduce performance in one of the vehicle's two brake circuits, increasing stopping distance and crash risk. There may be no warning before the problem develops; a red brake-fluid warning may appear when it occurs. If the pedal feels abnormal, braking performance drops, or a brake-fluid warning or leak appears, stop driving when safe and arrange a tow for inspection.

What changed between the 2025 and 2026 S-Class recalls?

• Recall 25V-116 (February 24, 2025): Covered 20,339 model-year 2021–2023 vehicles built June 20, 2020, through March 23, 2022. Mercedes-Benz initially linked hose durability problems to particular build dates and hot, humid operating conditions. Dealers were instructed to replace the front brake hoses.
• Recall 26V-638 (October 2, 2026): Covers 30,064 model-year 2022–2025 vehicles built February 2, 2021, through November 28, 2024. Mercedes-Benz reassessed the scope after additional field and durability evidence indicated the hoses could suffer material fatigue from accumulated thermal and mechanical stress. Dealers will replace the front brake hoses free of charge. The improved hose entered production November 29, 2024.

Had a brake warning, fluid leak, soft pedal, or prior S-Class brake repair? You can request a free California lemon law case review now, even if the dealer has not yet performed the new recall repair. Call (888) 536-6628.

The expanded U.S. recall includes six variants: S 580 4MATIC (16,881), S 500 4MATIC (7,143), S 580e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid (2,277), AMG S 63 E Performance (1,746), Mercedes-Maybach S 680 (1,070), and Mercedes-Maybach S 580 (947). The S 580e covers model years 2023–2025, and the AMG S 63 E Performance covers 2024–2025; the other listed variants cover 2022–2025. Eligibility depends on the VIN, not the model name alone.

Mercedes-Benz identified three U.S. reports in the expanded recall population, dated April 2, May 29, and August 10, 2026. Its filing reported no known crashes, injuries, or property damage associated with the condition in that population. Owner letters are scheduled for November 27, 2026; affected VINs have been searchable since October 9. See the 2026 NHTSA recall report and the 2025 recall report.

Why the expanded brake hose recall matters under California lemon law

California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Civil Code § 1790 et seq.) can require replacement or repurchase when a manufacturer cannot conform a vehicle to its express warranty after a reasonable number of repair opportunities (Civil Code § 1793.2(d)(2)). The inquiry concerns your vehicle's defect, warranty coverage, and repair history. The 2026 recall expansion is significant evidence about the affected parts, but it does not establish that every recalled vehicle was improperly repaired.

Three owner situations deserve separate attention:

1. Your car received the 2025 repair and also appears in the 2026 recall. Keep both recall notices and the 2025 repair order. Ask Mercedes-Benz whether your VIN requires another hose replacement; the 2026 filing does not establish that every vehicle repaired under 25V-116 must be repaired again. If the same brake problem persisted or recurred, or another repair is required, that history may support a warranty claim. The appearance of a VIN in both campaigns, by itself, does not prove a failed repair.
2. Your car was not covered in 2025 but is recalled now. The expansion does not create an earlier repair visit on your vehicle. But a prior visit for a soft pedal, brake warning, fluid loss, or similar complaint may count as an opportunity to repair even if the dealer recorded “no problem found”. Under CACI 3202, an authorized repair facility's opportunity can count even when no work is performed.
3. Your brake hose leaked or ruptured. Preserve the warning messages, repair orders, towing receipts, and dates out of service. One serious braking event can justify a legal review without waiting for another failure, although a single event does not automatically establish the repair-attempt element for repurchase.

For a nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, Civil Code § 1793.22(b)(1) provides a rebuttable presumption after two repairs within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first, subject to the statute's notice and other requirements. A brake defect may qualify depending on the evidence. Most older S-Class vehicles are beyond that presumption window, but the window is not a deadline to seek legal advice or the only way to prove a claim. Reasonableness may still be established from the actual repair history.

In Donlen v. Ford Motor Co. (2013) 217 Cal.App.4th 138, the court explained that relevant post-warranty repair evidence may help show a problem was never corrected during the warranty period. That does not automatically extend the warranty, but it can make the timing and nature of prior brake repairs especially important. California law also generally requires warranty repair within 30 days unless the buyer agrees otherwise in writing or a delay beyond the repairer's control applies (Civil Code § 1793.2(b)). Record each drop-off and pickup date, including delays awaiting hoses.

Mercedes-Benz's California opt-in and the filing deadline

Mercedes-Benz USA appears on California's official list of manufacturers electing the newer lemon law procedures, with an election date of April 30, 2025. For covered express-warranty repurchase or replacement actions, Code of Civil Procedure § 871.21 generally requires filing within one year after expiration of the applicable express warranty and no later than six years after original delivery, subject to statutory tolling.

Mercedes-Benz's standard new-vehicle warranty is four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. For an S-Class first placed in service in early 2022, a one-year period following a four-year warranty expiration could end in early 2027; higher mileage, other applicable warranty terms, and tolling can change the calculation. Time out of service for repair and up to 60 days after qualifying pre-suit notice may toll the statutory periods. Have the applicable warranty, in-service date, and repair records checked promptly rather than estimating the deadline from the model year alone.

Code of Civil Procedure § 871.24 separately requires a specified pre-suit notice at least 30 days before an action seeking civil penalties. The written notice identifies the consumer, VIN, problems and repair history, and demands repurchase or replacement. It must be sent to the designated manufacturer email address or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, as prescribed by the statute. To preserve civil-penalty rights, consumers must also follow the applicable possession and response-period rules. Mercedes-Benz has 30 days after receipt to make a compliant offer and 60 days to complete an accepted statutory remedy for the safe-harbor conditions to apply. A claim for repurchase or replacement may be filed without this notice, but § 871.24(h) then bars civil penalties in that action. An attorney can review your case and coordinate any required notice without delaying a safety repair.

What a California S-Class repurchase may include

A qualifying Song-Beverly repurchase generally includes the amount paid or payable for the vehicle, applicable taxes and registration charges, and recoverable incidental expenses such as towing or rental costs, with the loan or lease addressed as part of the transaction. Under CCP § 871.27, qualifying dealer-supplied options, service contracts, extended warranties, and GAP products may be recoverable; certain third-party products and negative equity are subject to offsets.

Mercedes-Benz may also claim a mileage/use deduction based on miles driven before the first delivery for correction of the defect: actual vehicle price multiplied by those miles, divided by 120,000 (Civil Code § 1793.2(d)(2)(C)). For example, a $135,000 S 580 first presented for the brake problem at 22,000 miles produces a potential $24,750 deduction. That is why an earlier documented brake visit can matter financially.

For a willful statutory violation, Civil Code § 1794(c) permits a civil penalty of up to twice actual damages, subject to applicable procedures. Section 1794(d) allows a prevailing buyer to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs as determined by the court; neither a penalty nor a particular fee outcome is automatic.

What S-Class and Maybach owners should do now

1. Check your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup or Mercedes-Benz's recall checker. Mercedes-Benz USA can also be reached at 800-367-6372. Ask whether either campaign applies and whether a previous repair is considered complete.
2. Address the safety issue promptly. Arrange the free front brake hose replacement with an authorized dealer. If you experience reduced braking, a soft pedal, fluid loss, or a brake warning, do not drive the car to the dealer; arrange a tow. Do not wait for the November letter if a safety symptom is present.
3. Collect every brake-related repair order, including visits when no fault was found, and note drop-off and pickup dates, mileage, technician notes, and any towing or rental costs.
4. Check warranty and delivery dates, including when the vehicle first entered service. Avoid assuming the model year determines your legal deadline.
5. Seek a case review before signing a release or trading in the vehicle. If civil penalties are being pursued, ensure any statutory manufacturer notice and vehicle-possession requirements are handled correctly. A case review does not replace the safety recall repair or required notice.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mercedes-Benz recall 26V-638?

It is an October 2, 2026 U.S. recall covering 30,064 potentially affected 2022–2025 S-Class and Maybach/AMG sedans because front brake hoses may leak and reduce braking performance. Dealers will replace the affected front hoses at no charge; owner letters are planned for November 27, 2026.

My S-Class had the 2025 hose recall. Does it need another repair?

Not necessarily. The expanded filing does not establish that every car repaired under 25V-116 requires another replacement. Check your VIN and Mercedes-Benz's repair-campaign status, and preserve both recall notices and repair orders.

Does a recall count as a California lemon law repair attempt?

An actual visit to an authorized repair facility for the brake problem can be an opportunity to repair, even if no work is performed. A recall announcement or open recall by itself is not a repair visit. Earlier complaints and repeated repairs deserve review under CACI 3202.

Is it too late to review a 2022 S 580?

Not necessarily. Mercedes-Benz's opt-in procedures create potentially important filing limits tied to the applicable express warranty and statutory tolling, not simply the vehicle's model year. Review the dates now, even if there has been only one serious brake incident.

Are Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles included?

Yes. The expanded recall includes 1,070 Maybach S 680 vehicles and 947 Maybach S 580 vehicles. Confirm an individual vehicle by VIN.

Does the manufacturer pay my attorney's fees?

California Civil Code § 1794(d) provides for an award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing buyer. That is not a guarantee that every case or legal expense will be covered; the initial case review offered here is free.

Request a California S-Class lemon law case review

If your 2022–2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, AMG S 63, or Maybach has a brake warning, fluid leak, reduced braking, or repeated brake repairs, request a free case review or call (888) 536-6628. We can assess your repair history, warranty dates, and California notice requirements without asking you to wait for another brake failure. A recall is evidence of a safety issue, not an automatic entitlement to repurchase.

This article provides general information, not legal advice. Recall facts are based on Mercedes-Benz USA's NHTSA filings dated February 24, 2025, and October 2, 2026. Individual recall coverage and legal rights depend on the facts of the vehicle and transaction.