Mercedes-Benz S550 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mercedes-Benz S550 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2012 drew the fewest (5) and the 2007 the most (54).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 2 | Engine | — | 19 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 19 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 18 |
| 2016 | 15 | 5 | Unknown or other | — | 20 |
| 2010 | 16 | 0 | Suspension | — | 18 |
| 2017 | 16 | 10 | Steering | — | 20–21 |
| 2008 | 19 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 16 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
24 | 5 | Unknown or other | — | 20 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
41 | 5 | Seat belts | — | 20 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
54 | 0 | Power train | — | 17 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mercedes-Benz S550 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Mercedes-Benz S550: 54 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 13 (24%); Suspension 12 (22%); Electrical system 11 (20%).
Reports mention 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Mercedes-Benz S550: 41 complaints
Most-reported: Seat belts 7 (17%); Electrical system 5 (12%); Structure 5 (12%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 22,300 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Mercedes-Benz S550: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 3 (13%); Steering 3 (13%); Air bags 2 (8%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 43,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Mercedes-Benz S550 years with the fewest complaints
2012 Mercedes-Benz S550: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (60%); Fuel/propulsion system 3 (60%); Electrical system 1 (20%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Mercedes-Benz S550: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 2 (29%); Wheels 2 (29%); Electrical system 1 (14%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Mercedes-Benz S550: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 2 (22%); Electrical system 1 (11%); Engine 1 (11%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mercedes-Benz S550 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 41 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 22,300 |
| 2014 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43,000 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2008 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2007 | 54 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 70,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls
- Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency Services (2017 model year; 1,292,258 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V058000)
- Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency Services (2014–2017 model years; 24,226 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2019; 19V787000)
- Roof Panel May Detach From Vehicle (2014–2017 model years; 15,096 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2021; 21V197000)
- Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Function Properly (2017 model year; 12,743 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2017; 17V251000)
- Door May Not Lock/ FMVSS 206 (2017 model year; 8,700 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2017; 17V816000)
All 15 Mercedes-Benz S550 recall campaigns · Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mercedes-Benz S550 years FAQ
Which Mercedes-Benz S550 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2012 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (5). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mercedes-Benz S550 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2015 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz S550 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (26 of 206 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz S550 have?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns covering the Mercedes-Benz S550. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mercedes-Benz S550 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.