2002 Mercedes-Benz S55 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S55, 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
- Engine233.3%
- Body & structure116.7%
- Electrical116.7%
- Exterior lighting116.7%
- Suspension116.7%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABC high pressure hose blew off while driving at low speed made a loud popping sound abc light came on with message drive carefully and fluid came pouring out
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HOSE HAD BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON ALL FOUR DOORS AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. MA 10/19/15 UPDATED 12/15/15.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 06V028000 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON THE DASH BOARD DOES NOT ILLUMINATE MAKING IT UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT RESULTING IN UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND CREATING UNDESIRABLE SAFETY CONDITIONS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF GEORGE TOWN TEXAS TODAY MARCH 7 2016 AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR IT BUT THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WITH $160 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I CAME HOME ON FRIDAY MARCH 4TH AND WHEN I WENT TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. I CAN BE REACHED AT[XXX] 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *BF
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABC high pressure hose blew off while driving at low speed made a loud popping sound abc light came on with message drive carefully and fluid came pouring out
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .