2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Suspension:front:springs:air Suspension:springs/Bags (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz S550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline 2012-12-03 · campaign 12V557000 · 5,800 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 2011-10-03 · campaign 11V493000 · 158 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S550, S550 CGI, S63, S600 Bi-Turbo, S65 AMG, S550 4-Matic, and S550 CGI 4-Matic and S400 Hybrid vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2011, through July 30, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)." The tire pressure monitoring system indicators may only illuminate for a portion of the time required by the
Risk: If all four wheel sensors in the subject vehicles are simultaneously malfunctioning or missing, the TPMS will provide an initial warning, but this warning will not automatically repeat on subsequent ignition cycles, failing to remind the driver that the system is offline. Driving unknowingly with incorrectly inflated tires may result in sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes Benz will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring unit, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (72)
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
Electrical System 2026-05-26 · LI82.85-P-080507 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint after successful commissioning of the hermes control unit (n112/9) with xentry diagnosis dvd 03/2026, the message "sos - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. in addition, the following two conditions are also met: • hermes (n112/9) control unit: event code b15ce00 is a
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 72 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“the instrument cluster on my 2011 mercedes-benz s550 (w221) is locked by a persistent red “battery not charged” warning message. this message appears even though the charging system is working correctly (normal charging voltage, new battery, and new battery sensor installed). because the cluster is locked, i can no longer: • view or reset tire pre…”
2025-04-29 · Suspension:front:springs:air Suspension:springs/Bags · 67,879 mi“the contact's daughter owns a 2011 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact noticed that the air suspension had collapsed. the dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notifie…”
2024-05-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my driver side rear seat underneath is leaking gasoline. fuel system, gasoline if the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present. nhtsa campaign id number: 12v557000…”
2022-03-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am filing a complaint with your agency regarding a fuel pump malfunction with my 2011 mercedes s550 (vin# [xxx]), because i feel that the incident below is a major safety concern and is similarly situated to the following nhtsa campaign #12v557000. on march 15, 2022, i was pumping gas into my vehicle at costco in brookhaven, georgia. the gas …”
2020-09-23 · Structure:body“iabout 2 months ago, i was unable to start my car. it had a warning message 'services required. do not shift the gear'. we towed our car to the dealer and learned that the backseat flood had standing water! this caused the electronic shortage. we paid over $2000 to make the car running again. it looks that the rain got in through driver side back…”
2018-08-22 · Engine · 118,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked. the contact was able to extinguish the fire which started from underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine harness leading to the oxygen sensor was the cause of the fire. the ve…”
2017-06-29 · Unknown Or Other · 67,000 mi · 💥 crash“shifting lever is up for reverse, center for park, down for forward. all other transmissions you push up for park. after driving all other cars, even prior mercedes if you exit the car you push the transmission lever to up for park even with the engine running you push the lever up for park. this becomes a habit, a reflexive action but if you d…”
2016-10-07 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz s550. while driving 70 mph, the vehicle accelerated up to 110 mph on its own. the rear of the vehicle rattled without warning. on another occasion, all the warning indicators failed to illuminate and the gps provided incorrect information. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, but they could not duplicate the …”
2015-05-09 · Unknown Or Other · 10,000 mi“i have 20 inch wheels on the car and in three years i have had three wheels crack. to date no accidents have occurred but i am afraid of a catastrophic wheel failure at 75 miles per hour…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.