2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (5) · Wheels (4) · Structure:body (3)
🧭 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.
Electrical System:software 2017-03-14 · campaign 17V177000 · 51 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C30
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
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.
Service bulletins (137)
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 137 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-30 · Steering“i loss my electric steering assist!!! takes 2 gorillas to turn the wheel i was able to stop without crashing into anything …”
2025-08-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages · 152,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph and approaching a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. several unknown warning lights were illuminated. there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine, and the brakes squeaked while turning. while refueling the veh…”
2025-06-05 · Air Bags · 10,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated, with the message "front drivers air bag malfunction - service required" displayed. the cause of the failure was not yet determined. the manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no as…”
2025-04-17 · Wheels“brought my vehicle to my mechanic because of noise that recently appeared in my car. to my surprise the mechanic stated that my engine is completely failing and would require an entire new engine. i purchased this car less than two years ago with an estimated 79,000 miles. vehicle currently has an estimated 112,000 miles. never missed a service int…”
2025-04-08 · Structure:body“roof panel between windshield and panoramic sunroof has developed fine hairline fractures on the polycarbonate panel. why wasn't my vehicle included in recall 21v-197? thanks for your time.…”
2025-03-09 · Steering“the steering wheel became difficult to control.also,steering wheel module waring light came on.…”
2025-03-04 · Seat Belts“the rear seatbelts do not retract to restrain the passenger. they also don't retract after the passenger has exited the vehicle. …”
2025-02-13 · Engine“cylinder wall 2 and 3 scorn horribly. coolant leaking into cylinder 2 & 3. dealer recommendation of new motor due to bad block. german auto works and carstoreusa wichita ks both recommend new motor and have advised of many of same motors being recalled by mercedes benz. i also spoke with mercedes benz north america. the heads were replaced in 2022 …”
2024-09-29 · Tires“right front tire 245/45r19b 102.h.m.s i had a major blowout. the sidewall of the tire had a whole the size of a retangular brick. i could have lost control and hurt myself and others. i had my brakes replaced and the tires aligned and balanced a couple of days before. the mechanic said it was unusual for the tires to show wear on the outside and…”
2024-09-18 · Suspension · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a squeaking sound coming from the undercarriage of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with suspension strut spring control arm joint. the contact was informed that the suspension strut spring…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.