2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 4matic problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (2) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz S550 4matic model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
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.
Service bulletins (82)
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 82 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-05-21 · Wheels“i got this certified car from mercedes benz dealer. i have driven it sparingly for less than 10k miles without really any hitting any bumps or potholes . after a recent service [xxx] 2024 at a mb dealer, i was told that 2 wheels were cracked 1 front & 1 back . i took it to another mb dealer (mb morristown, nj) to change the wheels & they advised…”
2020-11-24 · Wheels · 40,000 mi“i have now experienced cracks on three separate tire rims. the car has less than 41,000 miles.the tires are low profile, run flat tires and the rims appear to be aluminum and faulty.…”
2020-10-24 · Unknown Or Other · 34,000 mi“2016 mercedes cls550... i bought this car used and i've had it for about 6 months. i've already had a seizure in the car and was found slumped over by florida highway patrol at a dead stop with the car running and the air on and i woke up in the hospital. something is wrong with the air conditioner causing carbon monoxide poisoning is the only thin…”
2020-08-14 · Visibility/Wiper · 25,000 mi“heard a loud bang while driving down the highway and didn't know what it was until returning home and looked up and saw the rigid crack from front to the back on the panoramic glass. there are no indications of debris hitting the glass as there are no chips.…”
2020-06-18 · Visibility/Wiper · 25,600 mi“vehicle's front windshield spontaneously cracked overnight while vehicle as parked in a locked private garage. crack originates at top of windshield frame where body torques the glass and continues through advanced driver assistance systems, ending up in driver's line-of-sight. no visible point of impact on damaged area of glass. driver assistan…”
2020-06-13 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 10,100 mi“panoramic sunroof cracked with no known cause. *tr…”
2020-01-13 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz s550 4matic. the contact stated that the recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 19v01000 (air bags) was received. after contacting the local dealer (unknown), the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available. the contact had not experienced a failure. …”
2016-04-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 50 mi“from 2014 through 2016 the intelligent drive and the driver assistance package does not work. i keep saying the s550 thinks 200 feet is 90 feet and 100 feet is 30 feet. what i mean to say is the systems think 90 feet distance is 200 feet away and 30 feet is 100 feet away. it does not measure the distance properly. it could be, and most likely, a…”
2016-01-14 · Unknown Or Other · 45 mi“collision prevention assist plus does not work. it's suppose to work from 4 mph to 65 mph.it does not recognize stopped cars or objects in it's path.it's suppose to autonomously apply the brakes to help prevent collisions with other vehicles. it never intervenes.when a car cuts me off or pulls out in front of me or stops in front of me,the safety f…”
2016-01-14 · Unknown Or Other · 100 mi“all the safety complaints in the past two forms happen in all the 2014,2015. and 2016 mercedes s550. the cars are suppose to practically drive themselves. it even has steering assist that keeps the car centered in the lane and will even steer around curves. it is suppose to keep pre set distances from the car in front that you can set between 100 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.