Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Feb 12, 2018 to Oct 14, 2025.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-854 | Dec 15, 2023 | Front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair,… | Structure | 2,976 | Part replacement |
| 21V-197 | Mar 19, 2021 | Front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair | Structure | 15,096 | Repair or modification |
| 19V-787 | Nov 1, 2019 | For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf | Communication | 24,226 | Software update |
| 16V-829 | Nov 16, 2016 | Seat belt extenders on the affected vehicles may not retract as intended and may potentially break the event of a crash | Seat belts | 672 | Software update |
| 16V-760 | Oct 20, 2016 | Low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted | Lighting | 996 | Repair or modification |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
15 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
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 contact stated that it was very difficult trying to move the vehicle from one parking space to another in front of the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electric power steering module. The contact was informed that the electric power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V899000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
NHTSA complaint 116934532016 S550 front roof panel issues. Adhesive issues.
NHTSA complaint 11679825Started 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 next day to replace the tire. Manager checked tire and could not find any other issue with the tire. They were supposed to hold the tire but it was removed by the recycling company. I have pictures and the managers examination. Our safety any others if the split in the tire would have blown at speed in traffic. Called and emailed Pirelli and they could care less about a safety issue. Just told me it was out of warranty because it was over 1 year old. The tire has approximately 5,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint 11667245Rear left seat belt is stuck and won’t retract. Seat has not been used much. Vehicle is a 2016 with 65,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 11614284The 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.
NHTSA complaint 11604634My 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 about it.
NHTSA complaint 11604437Staggered 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 liability and a huge safety hazard. These are Summer runflat tires & also there no Allseason ROF's
NHTSA complaint 11588467On 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 spray. This problem is identical to Mercedes Campaign No. 2019030005, April 2019, which applies to S-Clsss 222 platforms Model Year 2018-2019. I request that this campaign be extended to Model Year 2016 and my car. I have attached copy of Mercedes Campaign No. 2019030005, April 2019.
NHTSA complaint 11564622While 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
NHTSA complaint 11564145Catalytic 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 vehicle is on but not running.
NHTSA complaint 11512500Failure of LED instrument cluster. 2016 S550. No display. In October 2020 I had total system failure in my garage. Battery discharged down to +/- 5V. The car was still under warranty. Tech arrived and tried to recharge battery. He did not have the proper equipment, (his statement). I had to use two of my chargers in parallel plus his to get car back to life. He disconnected the battery from car to get there. Battery came back to life. Everything seemed to work. Started to drive car and experienced random IC failure. There were times when cluster worked fine and suddenly it went blank (black). Contacted dealer and was told that I should keep on driving it would fix itself. Dealer had the car for a week and could find no fault. And it fixed itself. Great!!! Note, at this time the car was still under Warranty. Forward to June 2022. I replaced Batteries. As in 2020 display died (black) randomly. This time it was more often black than alive, it does not want to recover. Note, every time the display dies I loose all indications, no speed indicator plus anything else. No steering wheel controls. No sound of directional indicator (blinker). Dangerous to drive. It can happen at any time. It can work when I drive off and stop!!! Note, this I find very interesting, there is no failure code anywhere, not in the diagnostic Xentry either. That for my opinion is a design problem. Dealer uploaded some code into cluster. Told me it is working. Came to pick up car, SA brought me the car and told me IC failed again. Dealer then advised me that I would have to ~$3000 to get it fixed or contact MBUSA and request for them to pay. Consider that the whole thing started when car was under warranty. Contacted MBUSA on 10/19/22 reporting the details. Was promised a response within 24/48 Hrs. No response. Followed up several times, it is on there computer. Today's date is 11/8/22. They are ignoring me. For my opinion this is a design fault. No failure code! This is it.
NHTSA complaint 11492781on Feb 26, 2022 between the hours of 4:00 am and 5:15 am the Sunroof on my 2016 S550 Mercedes Benz shatter for no cause or reasons while driving on the main highway. When the loud bang accrued while driving I immediately pulled the car over to exam the issue and I noticed the Sunroof glass had shattered. I was able to drive the S550 Mercedes Benz to my residence. However, this Sunroof Shattering could have a cause major issue if the lower cover to my sunroof was open. I would strong recommend Mercedes Benz reach out to the glass manufacture concerning this safety issue with defective glass (Shattering Glass Sunroof for no cause or reasons)
NHTSA complaint 11454509I WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND WAS ASTOUNDED TO FIND A LONG DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF OF MY 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. I CONTACTED MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS WAS DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A "STRESS CRACK" AND STUCK ME WITH A BILL FOR $13,000. THIS IS A 2016 MODEL CAR WITH 50K MILES ON IT WITH A SUNROOF THAT SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. WHAT IF MY WIFE AND YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN IT STARTED TO CRACK? THE RESPONSE FROM MERCEDES IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.
NHTSA complaint 11362560TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO PHOENIX AZ TO DROP OFF MY MOM AND GRANDMA WHEN SUDDENLY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. THERE WASN'T ANY TYPE OF OBJECT NEAR ME TO CAUSE IT. IT WAS VERY RANDOM. THIS DISTURBED MY FAMILY MENTALLY SCARING THEM AND I SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CRASHING.
NHTSA complaint 11221366I AM REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD FOR THE 3RD TIME, SMALL STONES CREATING HUGE CRACKS, SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL FOR IT TO HAPPEN SO OFTEN.
NHTSA complaint 11072297Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.