2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550

2 recalls — 9 complaints — 47 TSBs

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Defect Description

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... Read more

Consequence

If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.

Remedy

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.

5,800 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Defect Description

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 Mot... Read more

Consequence

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 i... Read more

Remedy

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.

158 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Complaint Statistics

9 total complaints 1 crashes 1 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1
ENGINE	1
STRUCTURE:BODY	1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:SPRINGS/BAGS	1

Incident date: Apr 28, 2025

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact noticed that the air suspension had collapsed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure. The vehicle was not diagn... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2024

My driver side Rear seat underneath is leaking gasoline. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V557000

Incident date: Mar 15, 2022

I am filing a complaint with your agency regarding a fuel pump malfunction with my 2011 Mercedes S550 (VIN# [XXX]), because I feel that the incident below is a major safety concern and is similarly situated to the following NHTSA Campaign #12V557000. On March 15, 2022, I was pumping gas into my ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 7, 2020

IABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. IT HAD A WARNING MESSAGE 'SERVICES REQUIRED. DO NOT SHIFT THE GEAR'. WE TOWED OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE BACKSEAT FLOOD HAD STANDING WATER! THIS CAUSED THE ELECTRONIC SHORTAGE. WE PAID OVER $2000 TO MAKE THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. IT L... Read more

Incident date: Jun 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS LEADING TO T... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Jun 14, 2017

SHIFTING LEVER IS UP FOR REVERSE, CENTER FOR PARK, DOWN FOR FORWARD. ALL OTHER TRANSMISSIONS YOU PUSH UP FOR PARK. AFTER DRIVING ALL OTHER CARS, EVEN PRIOR MERCEDES IF YOU EXIT THE CAR YOU PUSH THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO UP FOR PARK EVEN WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING YOU PUSH THE LEVER UP FOR PARK. THI... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Oct 8, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 110 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GPS PROVIDED INCORRECT INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TA... Read more

Incident date: Oct 8, 2010

Incident date: Feb 1, 2012

I HAVE 20 INCH WHEELS ON THE CAR AND IN THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD THREE WHEELS CRACK. TO DATE NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BUT I AM AFRAID OF A CATASTROPHIC WHEEL FAILURE AT 75 MILES PER HOUR

EPA Fuel Economy — 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
5.5L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	15.0	23.0	18.0	Premium	$3,850

CO2 Emissions: 493.7 g/mile (Large Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins — 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550

47 manufacturer communications from 38 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
220000 SEATS	8
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	7
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	6
117000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL	3
353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL	3
350000 EQUIPMENT	3
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	2
100000 POWER TRAIN	2

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (??A?A?MY??A?A?) 2009-2012 GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, and S-Class (164/166, 251, 221 platforms) vehicles, the coding for the

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

220000 SEATS

Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ??A?A? Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ??A?A? Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat bel

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Why the warranty extension? On certain Model Year 2011-2016 CL/CLS/S/E/ML/SL/G/GL/GLE-Class vehicles with V8 engines, the exhaust valve assembly might not work properly and result in an engine misfire and potential illumination of the ch

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (a??MBUSAa??) is extending the warranty coverage on the exhaust valve system in ce

330000 INTERIOR LIGHTING

Touch pad: Search lighting does not dim or does not turn on.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock

117000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock

100000 POWER TRAIN

Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R

103300 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D

120000 LIGHTING (PWS)

Lamp unit fogged or droplets forming. Due to the vent openings, the lamp unit is an "open system". This means that acidic gases, moisture, dirt and exhaust gases can penetrate it. This can result in deposits on the diffuser and lens. Che

350000 EQUIPMENT

121100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

350000 EQUIPMENT

To enhance the satisfaction of our customers, avoid further costs of litigation and return focus to its core businesses, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has entered into a settlement regarding claims relating to alleged mold and mildew type

100000 POWER TRAIN

5 to 4 coasting downshift - shift quality concern with cold trans- mission oil on MODEL 217 or 222 in combination with ENGI- NE 278 and TRANSMISSION 722.9 without code 835/498

121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Headlamps fogged.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Gasket may settle causing a slight oil leak.

061530 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS

Gasket may settle causing a slight oil leak.

116300 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

Vehicle cannot be opened via Keyless-Go and radio remote control

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Vehicle cannot be opened via Keyless-Go and radio remote control

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8

220000 SEATS

Noises from lock of valuables/stowage compartment or from gap cover between seat and center tunnel.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The trunk lid sometimes does not open completely and does not close (completely). This complaint is accompanied by the following symptoms: - Illumination of the trunk lid control button (S62/26) fails. - The ACTUAL value* of the trunk li

175200 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

220000 SEATS

Grinding noises can occur in the backrest on active multicontour seats with the backrest under load and the seat ventilation switched on

220000 SEATS

No inflation of one or more air cushions on the massage/multicontour/dynamic seat modules (driver, front passenger and rear) Bubble formation in one or more seats with massage/multicontour/dynamic seat modules (driver, front passenger and

220000 SEATS

Dynamic seat (DS) pneumatic pump / multicontour seat pneumatic pump makes noises.

220000 SEATS

Creaking noises can occur when the side bolster bladders are inflated and deflated

220000 SEATS

Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Multicontour system fails during air release procedure. The system becomes operational again after an ignition change. Fault code 9E8900 is stored.

220000 SEATS

Squeaking/creaking noises from area of seat adjuster

150000 SEAT BELTS

Seat belt height adjustment nonfunctional

117000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

When on rough roads and with side loads applied to the center console (leg support) cracking noise may occur in the transition between the instrument panel and the center console.

010000 STEERING

XENTRY (MERCEDES): AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED, SEVERAL ISSUES OCCURS, AN ACOUSTIC WARNING SOUNDS IS HEARD, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYS WARNING MESSAGE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION, SERVICE REQUIRED. STEERING SYSTEM IS SLUGGISH. MODEL 117

117000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine rattling noise after engine start for several seconds

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Minor leaks at the oil duct of the left or right cylinder head of engines 157, 276 and 278. 1. Left cylinder head: Oil passage plug hole on left beside mechanical vacuum pump. 2. Right cylinder head: Oil passage plug hole below high-press

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Engine diagnosis warning lamp active. Fault code 20BE1B and/or 20BD1B (The heating element of the AdBlue tank has a malfunction) is logged in the Blue-Tec control unit.

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Customer 1 Action has been initiated because certain mbrace subscribers were recently contacted by mbrace informing them that they need to have an i-button call performed to ensure their mbrace device has registered with the Verizon

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up - Fault code entry (FC) 14A600 or 14A700

350000 EQUIPMENT

Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"

020000 SUSPENSION

Creaking noises from the area of the air suspension strut on the front axle when driving over bumps with the steering turned. Topic only reported from outer wheel until now.

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine diagnosis warning lamp activated. Fault code P045600 "Very fine leak" or P044200 "Fine leak" stored in engine control unit.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

If it is necessary to replace an HV battery, the return will only be accepted with the filled-out ?Analysis Sheet for Transportability of High-Voltage Batteries Form? accompanied by: , the removed part, the quick test printout, the BMS co

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

MERCEDES: THE POWER ELECTRONICS MODULE CAPACITANCE LOSS IS DUE TO THE VARIABILITY OF CAPACITOR QUALITY COMBINED WITH THERMALLY VARIABLE CONTINUOUS LOADING AND NEED POWER ELECTRONICS MODULE SOFTWARE UPDATED AND REPLACE POWER ELECTRONICS MOD

NHTSA Safety Investigations — MERCEDES-BENZ S550

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2015

Front Roof Panel Detachment

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes)... C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhesive, site preparation, and installation of a replacement panel with new adhesive.The consumer complaints that prompted the opening of PE21-001 all described detachments of front roof panels that had been replaced after the vehicle was put into service.Mercedes' internal investigation identified a broader scope of affected vehicles (2014-2020 CLA, GLA, C, S, GLC, and GLE class) and found the following potential service procedure- related causes of front roof panel detachments:- Improper surface pretreatments such as the use of the wrong primer or cleaner or scoring of the surface; or - Use of the incorrect adhesive.These conditions lead to a front roof panel bond that, even if sound at the time of repair, cannot maintain its strength over time and environmental exposure.Mercedes updated its service and parts ordering systems to reinforce the proper use of specified kits and procedures via webinars, shop foreman meetings, and explicit reference to the risks incurred by diverging from the repair procedures. Mercedes is also furnishing parts ordering assistance, and will hold dealerships accountable for improper repairs.ODI's analysis of the ten complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and MBUSA's complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE21-001 identified a total of 57 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which the front roof panel detached from the vehicle while in motion. Included within the 57 reports are incidents where consumers state the panel detached ...and flew off into traffic.On March 19, 2021, Mercedes notified NHTSA that it would recall subject vehicles with front roof panels known to have been replaced after the original sale of the vehicle. In total, the recall (designated as Recall 21V197) covers 15,099 vehicles that were ever registered in the United States. Based on Recall 21V197 and the remedy implemented by Mercedes, further investigation does not appear to be warranted at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11376425, 11352686, 11351629, 11349158, 11341541, 11337594, 11324100, 11311591, 11222127, 11404183Read more

MERCEDES-BENZ S550 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ S550 across all model years (2011–2017).

162 Total Recalls

181 Total Complaints

1 Investigations

19 Reported Crashes

11 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ S550 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2017	121	20	View
2016	12	18	View
2015	13	58	View
2014	12	36	View
2013	0	10	View
2012	2	8	View
2011 (current)	2	9
2010	0	22	View

Other MERCEDES-BENZ Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
GLA 250	1,219	416	View
GLC 300	1,143	568	View
GLE 350	1,116	311	View
C 300	1,074	360	View
AMG GLS63	963	12	View
AMG C43	944	74	View
CLA 250	923	130	View
AMG GLC43	920	42	View