Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems by Year
Mercedes-Benz S550 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S550 year: 2007, 2015. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2007 S550: 54 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2015 S550: 41 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2014 S550: 24 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2012 S550: 5 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2013 S550: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2011 S550: 9 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz S550 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 26 | 9 | 3 |
| Suspension | 24 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 21 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine | 20 | 8 | 0 |
| Power Train | 20 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 17 | 8 | 1 |
| Structure | 17 | 8 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 13 | 6 | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 13 | 5 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 5 | 1 |
| Tires | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Wheels | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Mercedes-Benz S550 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 S550 | 16 | 10 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2016 S550 | 15 | 5 | — | Unknown or Other | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2015 S550 | 41 | 5 | — | Seat Belts | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 S550 | 24 | 5 | — | Unknown or Other | More complaints than other years |
| 2013 S550 | 7 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2012 S550 | 5 | 2 | — | Engine | |
| 2011 S550 | 9 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2010 S550 | 16 | 0 | — | Suspension | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2008 S550 | 19 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2007 S550 | 54 | 0 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz S550 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2007 (54), 2015 (41) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical S550 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz S550?
Electrical System, with 26 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz S550 have?
15 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.