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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
24%of 17 total for the year
Median mileage
47,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550, 24% of the 17 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,250 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550. While attempting to put on the driver's side seat belt, the seat belt fractured. There were also electrical failures in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt would have to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,500. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10934672, filed 2016-12, 25,500 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact stated that while occupying the vehicle while the vehicle was parked, the ignition switch failed to detect the key fob. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electric steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced or reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the vehicle, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 69,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11666601, filed 2025-06, 69,000 miles

“The Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) will fail and cause the vehicle to become disabled. The failure of this part will leave the owner strained and unable to use any functions of the car. You can’t even put the vehicle into neutral to move the vehicle. Everything is locked. There have been numerous reports of this failure on various Mercedes Benz forums on the web. Also, many videos outlining this problem on YouTube. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by an independent repair facility. Mercedes Benz is aware of this problem regarding the ESL part. …”

NHTSA complaint #11570918, filed 2024-02

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2014213%
2012424%
201112%
201034%

Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550

Air bags
8 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology