Recall 20V173 affects 9,791 2018-2019 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC and S560 vehicles with leaking engine oil plugs. Free repair at any franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer.
Mercedes-Maybach is recalling 9,791 2018-2019 S 560 4MATIC and S560 vehicles because two engine oil plugs can fail under high engine loads and let oil leak while driving. Oil on the road can create slippery conditions, and low engine oil can stall the engine; Mercedes-Maybach dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The 2018-2019 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC and S560 use engine oil closure plugs to seal oil passages inside the 4.0L 8-cylinder gasoline engine. Those plugs hold engine oil inside the engine while oil pressure rises and falls under load. When they seal correctly, the oil stays contained and the engine keeps its designed lubrication.
On affected vehicles, a batch of plugs was not strong enough for the maximum loads the engine sees while driving. Under high engine load, fatigue in the plug material can let a plug fail and oil escape. Mercedes-Maybach identified reinforced closure plugs for vehicles outside the recall population, which means the fix centers on replacing the weaker plugs with stronger ones.
The warning sign is an instrument-cluster message. If that warning appears, treat it as a sign that the engine oil system needs attention before the vehicle is driven farther.
Who's affected?
Includes both the S 560 4MATIC and S560 sedan nameplates, tied to the same engine component across 2018 and 2019.
| 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC | Engine |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 | Engine |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560 | Engine |
| Units affected | 9,791 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
An engine oil leak can leave oil on the road, creating slippery conditions for other drivers. If the engine loses too much oil, it can stall while driving, which increases crash risk. A warning message in the instrument cluster is the expected sign. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC or S560 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer to schedule the free engine-oil-plug retaining-plate repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Maybach mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V173 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Watch for oil leaks, oil warnings, or signs of an engine stall.
- Call Mercedes-Maybach customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Maybach technician reinforces the engine oil plugs by adding a retaining plate. The work is free under recall 20V173, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles were covered under the new vehicle warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior paperwork for an engine oil plug or oil leak repair.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 20, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 3, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V173?
Recall 20V173 covers 9,791 2018-2019 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC and S560 vehicles with engine oil plugs that can leak under high engine loads. Mercedes-Maybach dealers will reinforce the engine oil plugs with a retaining plate for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC or S560 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V173. If it is, call a franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer and ask for the engine oil plug retaining plate repair. Reference recall number 20V173 or MBUSA recall number 2020060018 when you schedule service.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Maybach dealers will add a retaining plate to reinforce the engine oil plugs free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V173?
The risk is an engine oil leak while driving. Oil on the road can create slippery conditions, and an engine that runs out of oil can stall while the vehicle is moving. Either scenario increases crash risk, so confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Maybach used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer with recall number 20V173 if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V173000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Maybach customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V173 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V173000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →