2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (3) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Seat Belts (2)
🧭 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 (5)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2023-12-15 · campaign 23V854000 · 2,976 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped wi
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2016-12-14 · campaign 16V899000 · 70 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving
Risk: If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Seat Belts:front:anchorage 2013-11-20 · campaign 13V576000 · 290 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 S550 vehicles manufactured April 11, 2013, through October 14, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the front seat belt anchor might not be installed correctly allowing it to come loose in a crash.
Risk: If the seat belt anchor comes loose, in the event of a crash, the occupant may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the front seat belt anchor fitting, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz's recall number is 2013110008.
Service bulletins (139)
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,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
Structure:body 2026-08-24 · LI72.20-P-075746 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint tailgate opens unintentionally. cause accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. example: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. remedy as of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a res
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
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,
Showing the 6 most recent of 139 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-24 · Seat Belts“we almost got into crash the other day, our 8-year-old kid got our attention that rear seatbelt got very loose and did not retract back at all. he almost hit his head. when i asked him if it has been like this he said no, it was tight when i buckled it in. we tried several times to retract it manually with no luck. i checked online and i have seen …”
2025-07-31 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 89,677 mi“the contact owns a 2014 mercedes benz s550. the contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact became aware of oil spots on the driveway after parking the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where an inspection indicated that t…”
2024-08-12 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake pads were corroded. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the brake pads were severely corroded. the contact was informed that the brake p…”
2023-10-23 · Seat Belts“rearvpassenger seat just stopped working. won't retract.…”
2022-12-30 · Suspension“the vehicle dropped at front axle areas on both sides. the next message stated "vehicle to low". vehicle is available for inspection upon request. could not drive regular speed limit almost got rear ended. reproduced i am not sure, there is however about 3 manufacturer communications on this issue. there have not been any inspections relating…”
2021-11-12 · Steering“what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -steering :electrical power assist , drive shaft …”
2021-09-01 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“pre safe disabled then blind spot disabled then cruise control disabled this occurs in heavy rain had the dealer check it told they could not duplicate the problem told them this is a dangerous problem in heavy weather as you do have blind spots in the s class and you do need the system to work.once the weather improves or the heavy rain subsides t…”
2020-08-10 · Unknown Or Other · 65,000 mi“at approximately 0030 friday august 07, i was travelling 65 mph north bound on the ca215/60 freeway, there was little traffic. i heard what sounded like a gunshot, then a crincling glass sound and finally a whooshing of air i would soon see was a gaping hole where my closed panoramic sunroof use to be. i exited the freeway at the next exit and pull…”
2020-07-13 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch · 55,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2014 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated that the doors failed to lock manually or with keys. the contact called mercedes-benz of cutler bay (10701 sw 211 st, cutler bay, fl 33189, (786) 232-0364) to inform the dealer of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure b…”
2019-09-23 · Air Bags · 50,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2014 mercedes-benz s550. while the contact's vehicle was idling at a red light, another vehicle ran a stop sign and t-boned his vehicle. none of the frontal air bags deployed. the police was present and filed report number: 190911002273. the fire department was also present. there were no injuries; however, medical attention…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.