2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Steering (1) · Engine (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 (80)
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 80 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-08-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i purchased this vehicle in july 2020. i did a through check for recalls, warranty problems and could not identify any with this vehicle. from the get go the check engine light would come on. i checked the codes and they indicated an "electrical fault on bank 1, oxygen sensor 1. i replaced the wiring harness on that sensor as well as the sensor. fr…”
2022-06-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there is a strong smell of fuel in the cabin. when i lifted up the rear seats, where the odor is coming from, i see a film of fuel around the fuel sending unit on the driver's side. i lift up the sound insulation and i see fuel that has leaked on total the top of the sending unit. …”
2021-04-23 · Steering · 22,300 mi · 🔥 fire“vehicle cut on fire while sitting lucky outside, the corner of engine passenger side bellow the headlight stores the suspension air pump and electric hydraulic steering pump.. base on my inspection the ehps heated and set on fire.someone saw the car on fire and called fire dept.. car was lock and store after hours…”
2019-09-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 86,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz s550. while the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot, the contact smelled fuel from the rear of the vehicle. there were no warning indicators illuminated. on september 5, 2019, the contact was alerted by someone of a fuel leak under the rear of the vehicle. upon investigation, the contact associated the …”
2019-04-09 · Engine · 92,565 mi“there is an plastic plug in the oil system that leaks oil from the engine on to the exhaust manifold. this was reported because of increased oil consumption, vapor in the engine space and a smell of burned oil. the plastic plug is known to leak and mercedes does nothing about this during warranty and instead waits until the vehicular is out of warr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.