Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific has recalled 192 examples of its flagship S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class because the front brake hoses can be damaged over time and leak brake fluid. The recall was published on the federal government's Vehicle Recalls website on 30 October 2026 as REC-006757 (Mercedes-Benz campaign RC5239) and covers cars from the 2022 to 2024 range.
It is a small number of cars, but the fault is a serious one. A brake fluid leak reduces braking performance, and the official notice warns that this could increase the risk of a crash causing injury or death to occupants and other road users. The repair is free.
Recall at a glance
| Detail | What the notice says |
|---|---|
| Recall number | REC-006757 |
| Mercedes-Benz campaign | RC5239 |
| Published | 30 October 2026 |
| Models | Certain S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class |
| Year range | 2022 to 2024 |
| Vehicles affected | 192 |
| Defect | Front axle brake hoses may be damaged over time due to a manufacturing defect |
| Risk | Brake fluid leak and reduced braking performance |
| Fix | Free work at a Mercedes-Benz dealer |
| Contact | Customer Assistance Centre on 1300 762 718 or cs.aus@cac.mercedes-benz.com |
Which cars are included
The notice lists "Certain S Class and Maybach" and does not break the 192 cars down by variant. Every one of the 192 VINs in the official VIN list begins W1K223, which is the code for the current W223-generation S-Class that launched in Australia in 2021. That means older W222 cars are not part of this campaign.
The list is not limited to one engine or body. The VINs carry four different model codes, with the largest group (125 cars) sharing one code and the remaining 67 split across three others. Mercedes-Benz has not published which code matches which badge, so the safest way to know is to check the full 17-character VIN rather than relying on the badge on the boot lid.
The current S-Class line-up is listed on our Mercedes-Benz S-Class page, where the range starts from $277,800 before on-road costs. The electric Mercedes-Benz EQS is a separate model line and is not named in this notice.
This is the second S-Class brake hose recall in Australia
Owners may feel they have seen this before, and they have. In April 2025 Mercedes-Benz issued REC-006316 (campaign RC5128) for 423 Model 223 S-Class cars from 2020 to 2023. That notice described the same symptom, front axle brake hoses that could become defective over time due to high temperature and moisture, leading to a fluid leak and reduced braking.
We compared the two official VIN lists. None of the 192 cars in the new recall appear among the 423 cars in the 2025 recall. So a car fixed under the earlier campaign is not automatically covered for this one, and a car that missed the first list may still be on the second. Check both.
| Recall | Published | Year range | Cars | Cause given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REC-006316 (RC5128) | 1 April 2025 | 2020 to 2023 | 423 | High temperature and moisture |
| REC-006757 (RC5239) | 30 October 2026 | 2022 to 2024 | 192 | Manufacturing defect |
The local action follows a much larger S-Class brake hose recall in the United States last month that was reported to cover more than 30,000 cars built between February 2021 and November 2024. Mercedes-Benz Australia has not linked the two campaigns in its notice, so treat that only as background.
What owners should do now
- Find your VIN. It is on your registration papers, the base of the windscreen and the driver's door pillar.
- Search the REC-006757 VIN list and, for a 2020 to 2023 car, the older REC-006316 list as well.
- If your car is listed, call your nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer to book the work. It is free of charge.
- Until it is fixed, watch for a soft or long brake pedal, a brake warning on the dash or fluid leaking near the front brakes. If you notice any of those, stop driving and call the dealer or Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance.
- If you have moved or bought the car second-hand, call the Customer Assistance Centre on 1300 762 718 so the recall letter reaches you.
If you are shopping for a used luxury sedan, ask the seller for proof that every open recall has been done. Our guide to buying new or used in 2026 explains other checks worth making, and our car service cost guide covers what scheduled maintenance should cost. Recall work is separate and never billed to the owner.
Other recent recalls
Brake and chassis faults have featured in several recent campaigns. The Porsche 911 and 718 wheel nut recall told owners to stop driving, and the Range Rover Sport subframe recall also affects a small number of high-end cars. Mercedes-Benz itself has been busy with new products, including the C-Class Electric.
All recall details in this story are taken from the official Vehicle Recalls notices REC-006757 and REC-006316, checked on 3 November 2026.