Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 206 consumer complaints across the 10 model years of the Mercedes-Benz S550 (2007–2017) that have at least 5 complaints. 2007 has the most, with 54. Across all years, the part named most often is other or unknown (31 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All S550 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 16 | 23,000 | 10 | 153 | — | Rising |
| 2016 | 15 | 57,228 | 5 | 146 | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 41 | 22,300 | 5 | 137 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2014 | 24 | 30,750 | 5 | 139 | — | Stable |
| 2013 | 7 | 32,420 | 0 | 78 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 5 | 86,000 | 2 | 80 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 9 | 67,440 | 2 | 72 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 16 | 82,000 | 0 | 107 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 19 | 70,000 | 0 | 84 | — | Rising |
| 2007 | 54 | 70,000 | 0 | 94 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Other or unknown31 17%
- Electrical system26 14%
- Suspension24 13%
- Fuel system24 13%
- Steering21 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain20 11%
- Engine20 11%
- Body and structure17 9.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2016: “Takata recall. I was driving on the highway on my way to phoenix az to drop off my mom and grandma when suddenly the sunroof exploded. It sounded like a gun shot. There wasn't any type of object near me to cause it. It was very random. This disturbed my family mentally scaring them and I swerved off the highway almost crashing.”
NHTSA complaint #11221366, filed 2019-06, 43,900 miles2008: “My vehicle has a strong gas odor while driving but particularly when the vehicle is static or parked. This smell is so strong that I cannot sit in the car and my clothes reak of the smell. There has not been any external gas leakage or performance issues with the car. Only the gas ordor that has given me a headache and makes me nauseated. The car only has 70,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11164448, filed 2019-01, 70,000 miles2015: “The rims on the car cracking. I replaced the rims in the two front wheels and now the right rear rim is cracked, I have reported this previously to your commission including sending pictures. The dealer does not want to accept responsibility. In the future probably the 4th wheel rim will have the same fate.”
NHTSA complaint #11220943, filed 2019-06, 24,753 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,963 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
657 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology