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Mercedes-Benz S550Model year report

2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
82,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550. The part named most often is suspension, with 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and steering (5). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 107 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 6 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

Suspension: “My S550 when driving would suddenly give a malfunction signal. I took it to the dealer, service replaced the 2 front struts. Now the call will give a signal, red letters, do not move car and the entire strut system will stop working and the car body is virtually sitting atop the tires. This after replacing the 2 front struts! The dealership seems to be at a loss and I can't even get them to return my calls. I don't think it is a strut problem but a computer glitch. I don't think it was necessary to pay for the strut replacement. I would like my car fixed or a refund.”

NHTSA complaint #10819818, filed 2016-01, 139,000 miles

Fuel system: “Upon refuling my automobile full I could smell a strong odor of gas fumes. Earlier that day I had an impact of my tire over a curb. Gas fumes could be smelled not so much on the outside of the auto but inside without abatement. Upon inspection by mercedes benz of stockton ca it was determined a fuel leak was present with the cushion that sits on top of the fuel system was soiled/sturated under the rear passenger seat of the car. Pictures taken suggest it had been was ongoing possiblely for years. They suggested heat contributed to the unit-seal corrosion and its surroundings. …”

NHTSA complaint #11425745, filed 2021-07

Steering: “My wife was driving this vehicle when suddenly the steering locked up and almost caused her to crash. We then took the vehicle to house of imports mercedes in buena park to inspect the vehicle. Apparently the steering column was broken and they could not explain how it happen. I did some research and several other people have file a complaint and mercedes denies the problem. This is a serious issue and I recommend a recall on there vehicles before someone gets killed. We were very fortunate it happened on a back road and not on freeway...updated 11/06/14 updated 7/15/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10640885, filed 2014-10, 57,800 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 110,000 miles.

9%0–109%10–250%25–5027%50–7527%75–10027%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 82,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2011201420163202020222026
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 2010 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 automatic152318$4,550
S550 4matic 4WD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142117$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 2010 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. 107 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 107 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.

Has the 2010 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 (S550, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,000 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 110,000 miles; 18% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.