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Mercedes-Benz S550Model year report

2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by tires (4) and fuel system (3). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 84 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 17 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Tires complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Also reported: Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Even change to new tires, the air pressure up to 37 and always after 1 week or so, down to 33, complain and change tire and still have the same result. You could only check the tire pressure after you run for a while. Massage chair, after operation and all the sudden it stop. Clock in the cabin doesn't change even you set it up and the internal said the right time and the front doesn't change”

NHTSA complaint #11292448, filed 2020-01, 69,000 miles

Tires: “I purchased 4 new 255/45/zr18 extremecontact dws about 13 months ago and now all 4 tires have a bulging bubble on the sidewalls. Of course I brought it back from where I purchased it from and they blame it on pot holes, road hazards. I currently cannot drive the vehicle in fear that I might have a blow out. I have purchased many tires before that were not continental and never experienced what im going through now. Let see how long it will take to be contacted with some help or what excuse they going to come up with.”

NHTSA complaint #10705489, filed 2015-04, 87,609 miles

Fuel system: “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 miles

Engine: “I’m reporting a serious safety issue with the balance shaft sprocket in my Mercedes-Benz S550 (M273 engine, 273.968). This is a known defect that causes the sprocket to wear out far too early due to poor material design. When it wears, it throws off the engine timing, leading to check engine lights, rough idling, reduced power, and even stalling. In some cases, the engine can shut down while driving, which is a major safety risk. Thousands of people have experienced this exact problem, and it’s all over Mercedes forums, Reddit, and technical bulletins. …”

NHTSA complaint #11659570, filed 2025-05

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 59,300 and 91,000 miles.

0%0–107%10–2513%25–5033%50–7527%75–10013%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 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.

20113201420172019320232025
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 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
S550 RWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142116$5,150
S550 4matic 4WD/AWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150

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 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 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. 84 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 84 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20171623,00010—21—Rising
20161557,2285—20—Rising
20154122,3005—20Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20142430,7505—20—Stable
2013732,4200—19—Not enough data
2012586,0002—19—Not enough data
2011967,4402—18—Not enough data
20101682,0000—18—Falling
20081970,0000—16—Rising
20075470,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz S550 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by tires with 4.

Has the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 (S550, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 59,300 and 91,000 miles; 20% 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.