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Mercedes-Benz E550Model year report

2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 4.7L 8-cyl RWD · 17 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and steering (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 142 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall I have received a recall notice jan 2017 still no date on parts and repair the can not be re sold by a mercedes dealer with open recall car has lost approx 10,000 dollar in value or this issue. Just spoke with local dealer no update could be months or years was there update.”

NHTSA complaint #11041579, filed 2017-10, 19,000 miles

Electrical system: “My car will not start and I get a message stating Remove key from ignition every time I insert the key to try to start the car. It appears that the ESL has failed. I have visited several MB forums and it appears that this is a common issue, regardless of car mileage. This is a factory defect that really needs to be recalled and fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #11521883, filed 2023-05

Steering: “I was backing the car when the steering became stiff and a message stating 'power steering malfunction see owners manual' appeared. I turned the car off and restarted an hour later and the same message appeared. Steering was very difficult. Thankfully, it didn't happen at a high speed or turning.”

NHTSA complaint #11348881, filed 2020-08, 113,000 miles

Seat belts: “The seat belts do not retract after use. The seat belts are clean and are not twisted but do not retract making them difficult to use and they do not fit snugly around the body. The failure to retract happens both when the vehicle is stopped and when it is in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #11006183, filed 2017-07, 36,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,500 and 80,000 miles.

13%0–1013%10–2525%25–5013%50–7513%75–10025%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20122016201732018201932020202320242025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
E-Class · sedan AWDnot rated———5 · 9.9% risk
E-Class · sedan RWDnot rated———5 · 9.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2012 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E550 4matic 4WD4.7L 8-cyl7-speed automatic162620$4,100
E550 Convertible RWD4.7L 8-cyl7-speed automatic162519$4,350
E550 Coupe RWD4.7L 8-cyl7-speed automatic172721$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 142 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 142 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20141661,0954421—Falling
20131622,4625—21—Stable
20121752,5004—21—Rising
20116170,5003—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20106869,0003—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20081567,1743—17—Rising
20073764,6254—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz E550 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 (E550 Coupe, 4.7L 8-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,500 miles and the middle half falls between 25,500 and 80,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.