Recall 11V493 affects 158 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz S600, S63, S400, S65, and S550 vehicles for a TPMS warning defect. Free repair at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 158 2011-2012 S550, S600, S63, S65, and S400 vehicles because the tire pressure monitoring warning does not repeat as required after a restart when all wheel sensors are missing or malfunctioning. An offline TPMS can leave tires incorrectly inflated, raising the risk of sudden tire failure and a crash; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The tire pressure monitoring system on the 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz S600, S63, S400, S65, and S550 checks tire pressure and alerts the driver through the instrument cluster. Its job is to keep the low-pressure warning visible long enough for the driver to see it and to bring the warning back after a restart when the condition is still present.
On these vehicles, the wrong TPMS software was installed. Mercedes-Benz identified it as European TPMS software on vehicles built for the United States, which use US TPMS software. Because the software does not follow the US warning timing, the indicator illuminates for only part of the required time. Under certain restart conditions, the warning does not re-illuminate right away.
What you notice is the TPMS warning in the instrument cluster. If the light appears, disappears too soon, or fails to return after restarting the vehicle while tire pressure remains low, the warning system is not doing its full job.
Who's affected?
Covers 5 S-Class variants across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the tire pressure monitoring system.
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S600 | tire |
|---|---|
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S63 | tire |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S400 | tire |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S400 | tire |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S65 | tire |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S65 | tire |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 | tire |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S600 | tire |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 | tire |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 | tire |
| Units affected | 158 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If all 4 wheel sensors malfunction or are missing, the TPMS gives an initial instrument-cluster warning, but the warning does not repeat after later ignition cycles. That leaves the driver without a reminder that tire-pressure monitoring is offline; driving on incorrectly inflated tires can lead to sudden tire failure and increase crash risk. Schedule the free reprogramming soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz S600, S63, S400, S65, or S550 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free tire-pressure-monitoring-unit reprogramming that fixes the TPMS warning after restart.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V493 when you call.
- Check tire pressure manually until the repair is complete, and do not rely only on the dashboard warning.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician reprograms the tire pressure monitoring unit so the TPMS indicator behavior matches the recall repair. The software update is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered by Mercedes-Benz. The work focuses on the monitoring unit and dashboard warning behavior, not tire replacement. Ask the service desk to confirm recall 11V493 is open for your VIN before the appointment.
Timeline
| October 3, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 12, 2014 | Dealer notification began |
| September 12, 2014 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 15, 2014 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V493?
Recall 11V493 covers 158 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz S600, S63, S400, S65, and S550 vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system indicator problem. Mercedes-Benz dealers will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring unit for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz S600, S63, S400, S65, or S550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V493. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the tire pressure monitoring unit reprogramming. Reference recall number 11V493 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring unit free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the tire pressure monitoring system gives an initial warning, then does not automatically repeat the warning after later ignition cycles when all 4 wheel sensors are malfunctioning or missing. Driving with incorrectly inflated tires can lead to sudden tire failure and increase crash risk.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a tire pressure monitoring system warning, and do not assume the problem cleared after restarting the vehicle. In this recall, the warning fails to automatically repeat on later ignition cycles under the stated sensor-failure condition. Ask the dealer to complete the reprogramming repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V493000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V493 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V493000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →