2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Tires:tread/Belt (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 (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.
Seat Belts 2016-11-16 · campaign 16V829000 · 672 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S63 AMG Coupe, S65 AMG Coupe, S550 Coupe 4Matic, S63 AMG 4Matic Convertible, and S550 Convertible vehicles manufactured June 29, 2015, to March 15, 2016. The seat belt extenders on the affected vehicles may not retract as intended and may potentially break the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt extender does not retract and/or the extender breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2016-10-20 · campaign 16V760000 · 996 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S550 Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S65 AMG Coupe and S63 AMG Convertible 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to February 4, 2016. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (146)
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.
Power Train 2026-09-26 · LI27.00-P-073124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (nag3 classic /9g‑tronic automatic transmission) and 725.1 (nag3 facelift/9g‑tronic automatic transmission facelift) for faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, intelligent predictive repair (ipr) has been developed a
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,
Power Train 2026-09-14 · LI27.10-P-075869 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. this can be identified through control unit n45 or n15/7 in the quick test. when accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. it may be mistaken for a harsh shift. cause modified oil qu
Power Train 2026-09-04 · LI27.00-P-073124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (nag3 classic / 9g‑tronic automatic transmission) and 725.1 (nag3 facelift/9g‑tronic automatic transmission facelift) for faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, intelligent predictive repair (ipr) has been developed
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 146 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-14 · Steering · 56,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz s550. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failure warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the steering wheel seized. the contact stated that he was lucky to have been driving the vehicle in front of the residence and not on the highway. in addition, the c…”
2025-08-11 · Unknown Or Other“2016 s550 front roof panel issues. adhesive issues. …”
2025-06-16 · Tires:tread/Belt“started car in parking lot and warming light read zero air in right front tire. no prior warning. checking tire for any road hazard - nails or other potential punctures but none were present but the tire had a hole just below the wheel that had blown out. the tire is a pirelli p zero 245/40r20 run flat. was able to drive it to tire discount the nex…”
2024-09-12 · Seat Belts“rear left seat belt is stuck and won’t retract. seat has not been used much. vehicle is a 2016 with 65,000 miles. …”
2024-07-26 · Seat Belts“the car's front passenger passenger seat buckle fails to properly secure the seat belt. after inserting the seat belt it fails to latch into the buckle. the mercedes dealer has examined the seat buckle and determined that it failed. they are recommending a replacement.…”
2024-07-25 · Structure:body“my vehicle is listed in this mercedes recall campaign bulletin, and it is also experiencing the safety issue that is discussed in this recall campaign bulletin: campaign no.2021070010, august 2021 revision a 09/03/2021 when i contact mercedes to have the issue addressed, they stated my vin is not a part of this recall campaign, and to contact you …”
2024-05-13 · Tires“staggered tires on this car goodyear eagle f1 asymetric 2 run flats. front size - 245/40 r 20/99y, rear -275/35 r 20/102 these tires cannot take the load of the car . i purchased the vehicle & the same tire (front driver side) has blown & ripped open over a moderate pothole, aug 2020 & in sep, 2022. in my opinion these tires are massive liabil…”
2024-01-10 · Unknown Or Other“on cold days below 40 degrees, my 2016 mercedes s550 w222, trunk lid when closed using the close button on the trunk lid closes and immediately reopens. it will only stay closed if i tie it down with a rope or elastic cord. i found a work around if i am home and apply heat to the latch with a hair drier and spray the latch with silicone lubricant…”
2024-01-08 · Unknown Or Other“while driving or even sitting this piece gets extremely hot and has actually burned me twice. as soon as the car is turned on the temperature rises on this piece that’s on by the arm rest …”
2023-03-18 · Engine“catalytic converters are factory defective my vehicle has less than 80k miles and used as pleasure vehicle. the problem has been inspected and confirmed by a reputable independent service provider. warning lights came on and upon inspection it was determined that 3 catalytic converters are defective. my spouse also complains about a bad odor when …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.