2008 Mercedes Benz E550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (5) · Fuel System, Gasoline (3) · Wheels (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz E550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Service bulletins (83)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Visibility/Wiper 2026-04-25 · PSL-NCU Return Parts 4/24 · Other
the part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing pdc. the deadline for all dealer returns is no later than thursday, may 14, 2026. after may 14th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. these parts should be
Showing the 6 most recent of 83 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-02-07 · Visibility/Wiper“the panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. will not open back up.…”
2025-01-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it’s filled. this creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. unfortunately, mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee.…”
2024-05-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and i discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... i cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel vapors and i'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. the mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for…”
2022-01-15 · Vehicle Speed Control“in the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the abs control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of esp (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. at the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. mb has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even th…”
2021-01-08 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 115,018 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e550. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, …”
2019-09-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 160,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e550. while operating the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed inaccurate fuel levels and a strong odor of fuel was present coming from the exhaust. the vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of austin (6757 airport blvd, austin, tx) where it was diagnosed that the fuel leveling sensor was faulty and the fuel tank…”
2017-01-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i have been reported to have a fuel leak.…”
2015-01-05 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 60,213 mi“related to case# ea13003 i recently purchased a pre-owned 2008 e550 with 59k miles in december 2014. after fill-up, i noticed a faint fuel smell on the drivers rear area near the rear wheel. i have also opened up the access hatch and noticed fuel seeping from the sending unit. this seems to be the exact issues i have seen in regards to case #ea1…”
2014-12-23 · Suspension · 112,018 mi“just purchased this 2008 e550 with 100k miles on it. it was inspected and said to be a great maintained vehicle with no issues. i was driving on a city street and a red indicator light came on telling me stop car too low. car was in sport mode with the vehicle raised button indicator light on. i drove back to my house and parked the vehicle, as it …”
2013-12-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 80,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes e550. the contact stated that after refueling, a strong gasoline odor was present outside of the vehicle. the contact informed the dealer of the problem. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 80,000. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.