RoadVitals

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Feb 7, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Visibility211.8%
  • Other / unspecified211.8%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Brakes15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Suspension15.9%
  • Engine15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it’s filled. This creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. Unfortunately, Mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee.

NHTSA ID 11638060 · filed Jan 23, 2025

I filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and I discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... I cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel Vapors and I'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. The Mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for free and I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be rectified before someone dies in an explosion... no warning lights showed up but it is a common problem on the E-Class due to a cracked fuel filter housing module.

NHTSA ID 11586911 · filed May 3, 2024
All 8 reports naming fuel system

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. Will not open back up.

NHTSA ID 11641332 · filed Feb 7, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH HAVEN (620 WASHINGTON AVE, NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473, (203) 239-1313) WHERE THE SUN ROOF WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE VIN HOWEVER, SHE WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,018. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2008 ##

NHTSA ID 11387190 · filed Jan 8, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIRE BLOWOUTS DUE TO DRIVING OVER ROAD IRREGULARITIES. THE FAILURES WERE EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE EQUIPPED WITH LOW PROFILE RIMS. THE BLOWN OUT TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID 10435537 · filed Nov 14, 2011

2008 MERCEDES E550 RIM PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TWO FRONT TIRE BLOWOUTS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM HITTING SMALL POT HOLE. THE RIM GETS BENT THEN THE TIRE BLOWS OUT. THE LATEST INCIDENT, A POLICE OFFICER AND I WATCHED MANY VEHICLES DRIVING OVER THE POT HOLE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE RIMS ARE THE 12 SPOKE THAT COMES STOCK ON THE E550'S. *TR

NHTSA ID 10284653 · filed Sep 20, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 was excluded. The symptoms and parts diagnosed match the warranty 100%.

NHTSA ID 11447585 · filed Jan 15, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 was excluded. The symptoms and parts diagnosed match the warranty 100%.

NHTSA ID 11447585 · filed Jan 15, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A RECALL AND SEE IF CUSTOMER'S GET EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10439247 · filed Dec 10, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

JUST PURCHASED THIS 2008 E550 WITH 100K MILES ON IT. IT WAS INSPECTED AND SAID TO BE A GREAT MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME STOP CAR TOO LOW. CAR WAS IN SPORT MODE WITH THE VEHICLE RAISED BUTTON INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, AS IT SAT FOR AN APPROXIMATE 1 HOUR I NOTICED IT DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON TOO SEE IF IT WOULD RAISE AGAIN AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS STILL WORKING BUT NO MOVEMENT WAS HAPPENING. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I JUST SPENT 20K ON A VEHICLE THAT LASTED ME 7 DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE FIX COULD COST ME A FEW THOUSAND DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR ALL OWNERS OF THE AIRMATIC SYSTEMS. THEY ARE FAULTY AND ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO BE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. GREAT VEHICLE WITH A HUGE FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID 10667948 · filed Dec 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A RECALL AND SEE IF CUSTOMER'S GET EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10439247 · filed Dec 10, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .