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Mercedes-Benz S55Model year report

2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
93,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55. The part named most often is engine, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and exterior lighting (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 93,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 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

Engine: “The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz S55. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was an abnormal noise. The contact discovered that the active body control hose had become detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the active body control hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10650344, filed 2014-10, 92,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz S55. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the instrument panel failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. Ma 10/19/15 updated 12/15/15.”

NHTSA complaint #10758813, filed 2015-08, 150,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “Nhtsa recall campaign number : 06v028000 instrument cluster on the dash board does not illuminate making it unable to read the gauges while driving during the day or night resulting in unknown speeds and creating undesirable safety conditions. I have contacted mercedes benz of george town texas today march 7 2016 and they refused to honor it but they told me to bring it into the dealership with $160 diagnostic fee. I came home on friday march 4th and when I went to get back into the vehicle, I noticed the dash lights did not illuminate. …”

NHTSA complaint #10840309, filed 2016-03, 94,000 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz S55. The contact stated that there was rust on all four doors and the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10670424, filed 2015-01, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 92,000 and 94,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2525%25–500%50–7550%75–1000%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 93,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20142015220162023
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 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
S55 AMG RWD5.4L 8-cyl5-speed automatic142017$4,850

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S55

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2002593,0000—17—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz S55 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.

Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 (S55 AMG, 5.4L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 93,000 miles and the middle half falls between 92,000 and 94,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.