COMMUNICATION
2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC, most frequently naming the visibility, driver assistance and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 82 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2016 | 3 | 3 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 5 |
| Jun 2020 | 2 | 7 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 8 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 9 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 10 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 11 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Visibility333.3%
- Driver assistance222.2%
- Other / unspecified222.2%
- Airbags111.1%
- Brakes111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 that all 4 wheels were cracked, & one wheel had 3 cracks. These are premium AMG staggered wheels & without a doubt there is genuine design issue or defect to wheels which at high-speed could crack & crumble causing major injury & destruction to property. I have all the service records regarding this issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11589913
- Incident
- Apr 27, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11376131
- Incident
- Nov 23, 2020
- Mileage
- 40,000 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 THING THAT I CAN PUT TOGETHER. THE HOSPITAL OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT THINK THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY AIR CONDITIONER. THEY DID A CAT SCAN EVERYTHING FINE . THEY DID A COVID TEST EVERYTHING AND I WAS CLEARED AND OUT THE DOOR IN 5 HOURS. I HAVE PUT THIS TOGETHER AND FIGURED IT OUT MYSELF. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT A FOUL SOUR DISGUSTING ODOR COMING THROUGH MY AIR CONDITIONER AND I HAVE ALMOST PASSED OUT ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS SAME EXACT FEELING UP UNTIL I HAD MY SEIZURE. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG AND I WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED MY CABIN FILTER. I STILL HAVE THE ONE THAT WAS IN THE CAR. I WANT COMPENSATION FOR THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BECOME OF MY BODY BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. I HEARD THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY LAWSUITS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER ON THIS MODEL AND OTHER MODELS BUT NEVER ANYTHING THAT WOULD KILL SOMEONE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I'VE HAD A TESTER USED IN MY CAR AND IT PICKED UP CARBON MONOXIDE. I AM GOING TO SUE THE BALLS OFF OF MERCEDES AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR FOR NOT FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR ANY RECALLS THAT WERE PUT OUT. ANYWAYS I CAN ALMOST SMELL THE EXHAUST FUMES ON TOP OF A SOUR SMELL. GOOD THING I'M SMART ENOUGH TO PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER. I EXPECT SOMEBODY TO GET BACK TO ME ASAP AS I WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND I WILL BRING THIS PUBLIC.
- NHTSA ID
- 11366174
- Incident
- Jun 20, 2020
- Mileage
- 34,000 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11349329
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2020
- Mileage
- 25,000 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 ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE AFFECTED BY THE STRESS CRACK, RENDERING THEM NON-FUNCTIONAL. DEALER INVESTIGATED AND DETERMINED THAT STRESS CRACK WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS, NOT DUE TO ANY IMPACT OR ROAD DEBRIS. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER DENIED COVERAGE UNDER NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY (4YR./50,000 MI), STATING THAT GLASS DEFECTS ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 1 YR/12,000 MI. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11329575
- Incident
- May 20, 2020
- Mileage
- 25,600 mi
PANORAMIC SUNROOF CRACKED WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11328687
- Incident
- Jun 3, 2020
- Mileage
- 10,100 mi
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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11299024
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2019
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 PROGRAMING ISSUE. IT IS THE SAME ON ALL THE 2014 THROUGH 2016 S550'S I HAVE TRIED. THE OTHER THING IT DOES WITH THE DISTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL IS WHEN IT STARTS TO BRAKE, THE DISTANCE SET DECREASES AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP AND AGAIN THE DISTANCE SET DECREASES AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP AND SO ON. IT CHANGES THE DISTANCE ( YOU CAN SEE IT HAPPEN IN THE IN THE MENU SETTING ON THE SPEED AND TACHOMETER SCREEN) AS SOON AS THE CAR AUTONOMOUSLY BRAKES. SET IT AT 200 FEET AND IN REALITY IT IS 90 FEET AND AS SOON AS IT BRAKES THE DISTANCE TO KEEP INSTANTLY DROPS TO JUST UNDER WHAT IT IS SET AT SO THE CAR THINKS THE DANGER IS OVER AND SPEEDS UP AGAIN AND THEN BRAKES AGAIN. AND YOU KEEP GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE CAR IN FRONT BECAUSE THE SET DISTANCED KEEPS CHANGING AND YOU HAVE TO BRAKE SO YOU DO NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT BECAUSE THE S550 WON'T. I HOPE THIS MAKES SENSE. IT IS EASIER TO SHOW WITH THE DISTANCE GRAPHIC UP ON THE SCREEN. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY SCREWED UP. AS IS THE LED LIGHTING SYSTEM IN THE SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN AND SLUSH. CANNOT DRIVE IT AT NIGHT IN A WINTER STORM. IT ALL HAPPENS AROUND TOWN TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ACTUALLY TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR THE DISTRONIC CRUISE TO WORK I HAVE TO BE DRIVING FASTER THAN 75 MPH. MY 2007 S550 4 MATIC'S DISTRONIC AND AUTONOMOUS BRAKING WORKED PERFECTLY.
- NHTSA ID
- 10853154
- Incident
- Dec 20, 2015
- Mileage
- 50 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
POWER TRAIN
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 and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of the on‑going quality monitoring process and associated quality and damaged part appraisals, a high number of ineffective repairs have been discovered. Such ineffective repairs have a negative impact on all those involved. For the customer, it means high costs and long repair times and for the dealer, it may result in the warranty claim being rejected. Remedy General note: IPR is available for: ‑ NAG3 Classic (automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 Classic ‑ AMG sport model (AMG 43 and AMG 53 with converter, automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 Classic ‑ Hybrid (automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 Classic ‑ AMG 63 (automatic transmission 725.0) ‑ NAG3 MOPF ISG2 (automatic transmission 725.1) ‑ NAG3 MOPF Hybrid (automatic transmission 725.1) ‑ NAG3 MOPF AMG sport model (AMG 53/AMG 53e with ISG48V2 & converter /hybrid, automatic transmission 725.1) ‑ NAG3 MOPF AMG 43/63 with engine 139/177 (automatic transmission 725.1) Steps for the Service Advisor: Important: The more information and detail that can be given to the workshop about the complaint, then the more effective the subsequent diagnosis with IPR can be. To this end, a detailed service reception questionnaire has been provided to help the Service Advisor ask the right questions about the complaint. ‑ Ask precise details about the customer complaint and the conditions and context. ‑ Fill out the service reception questionnaire (please see WIS document: OF27.00‑P‑3000‑05A) for customer complaints in detail and forward it to the workshop. Operation steps for the workshop employee: 1. Perform quick test 2. Access the transmission control unit via XENTRY Diagnosis 3. Select "A customer complaint has been received" and carry out all subsequent operation steps (IPR diagnosis path). 4. The IPR repair instructions are displayed, Carry out the IPR repair instructions without performing any further diagnostic or repair steps. ‑ Important: The IPR repair instructions are binding and must be carried out. Differing repairs are possible; such repairs must be documented in XENTRY in free text. Please observe the information regarding the IPR diagnosis process in XENTRY. Conventional diagnosis and subsequent appropriate repairs are only permitted if IPR does not specify any repair instructions. Invoicing for the guided IPR steps: Operation item 27‑0640 and 0.1 hours Notice regarding warranty: The use of IPR in association with warranty claims is mandatory! If the IPR repair instructions are disregarded without justification, the warranty claims may be rejected and/or are subject to debit. IPR will provide a measure to repair the vehicle based on various data sources (EEPROM, fault codes, etc). Please consider the vehicle maintenance record of the vehicle. For warranty and goodwill repairs, the transmission ECU test log and/or IPR test result must be uploaded into Paperless XENTRY Diagnosis (pXD) . If repair is being determined based of oil pan condition pictures of oil pan MUST be provided to warranty as justification. ·Tamper‑proof documentation: The IPR repair instructions are stored in the control unit log. Please file this document in a tamperproof manner ‑ either in digital form or as a hard‑copy printout and also enclose a printout with the damaged part. In this regard, please comply with the country‑specific warranty requirements of the MPC/general distributor.
SERVICE BRAKES
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 vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as a whole needs to be checked for other possible contributors. 1. Prior collision damage. 2. Excessive vehicle sitting times without rotating components. 3. Wheel bearing/hub lateral runout. 4. Wheel mating interface has been overtightened (did not follow WIS torque procedures). 5. Mating interfaces have been excessively modified (painted, gouged, bent, etc...). Remedy Read through the entire attached worksheet prior to performing. After performing, please review the final page and perform work accordingly. NOTE: This document is not pre‑authorization or otherwise dealing with warranty. This is intended for diagnostic purposes only. If there are any questions on how to proceed OR The work sheet has been performed and the vehicle has returned with the same concern. Please perform the measurements as seen in the worksheet again and open a TIPS case to the Body, Chassis, and Entertainment team.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, once diagnosis is completed, select the damage code depending on the component part that is causing the issue. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10‑P‑067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!
POWER TRAIN
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 quality of the transfer case over time Remedy 1. Check initial quick test for faults in the following control units. N45 or N15/7 ‑ All‑wheel drive (ARS) N127 ‑ 'Drivetrain' (PTCU) control unit Y3/8 ‑ Transmission control for 9‑gear transmission (VGS) N3/10 ‑ Engine electronics for combustion engine If faults are present: Process them as per the guided test in Xentry. If no faults are present: 2. Check the transmission oil level If the oil level is correct: 3. Unplug the connector for the transfer cases control unit and reassess the vehicle on a subsequent test drive If the complaint no longer occurs with the control unit disconnected: 4. Perform an oil change of the transfer case according to WIS specifications ‑ Collect an oil sample of the original fluid 5. Complete all transfer case Tech‑in processes located under VG Control Unit > Adaptations ‑ Resetting the oil service data ‑ Calibration of N15/7 5. Perform road test of vehicle to bring transmission to operating temperature (>60C ) 6. Operate vehicle in full circle with steering at full lock ‑ 5x to the left ‑ 5x to the right Return the vehicle to the client and request they drive the vehicle for at least 200 miles and return if the concern is not resolved. The extended drive will ensure the clutches are properly conditioned with the new oil and should resolve the concern. If this LI has already been applied to the vehicle, please submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain inbox with the following information: ‑ Initial quick test with fault freeze frame data ‑ Initial transmission EEPROM data ‑ VGS and Transfer Case Control Unit Log (N45 or N15/7) ‑ Special Acquisition Data .txt file (Transfer Case Control Unit > Special Procedures > Procedures for support queries to market support > Special Data Acquisition) ‑ Photo of the original oil condition ‑ What color was the fluid drained from the transfer case before the oil change? ‑ Was an oil sample collected, and can you provide a photo of the original fluid? ‑ What color and part number fluid was used during the oil change? ‑ How far was the vehicle driven after?
POWER TRAIN
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 and integrated into XENTRY Diagnosis. This ensures an automated diagnosis process. Cause As part of the on‑going quality monitoring process and associated quality and damaged part appraisals, a high number of ineffective repairs have been discovered. Such ineffective repairs have a negative impact on all those involved. For the customer, it means high costs and long repair times and for the dealer, it may result in the warranty claim being rejected. Remedy General note: IPR is available for: NAG3 Classic (automatic transmission 725.0) NAG3 ‑ AMG sports models (AMG 43 and AMG 53 with converter) NAG3 ‑ AMG 63 NAG3 ‑ Hybrid NAG3 Facelift (automatic transmission 725.1) NAG3 facelift (725.1) with engine 139/177 (AMG 43/63) Steps for the Service Advisor: Important: The more information and detail that can be given to the workshop about the complaint, then the more effective the subsequent diagnosis with IPR can be. To this end, a detailed service reception questionnaire has been provided to help the Service Advisor ask the right questions about the complaint. ·Ask precise details about the customer complaint and the conditions and context. ·Fill out the service reception questionnaire (please see WIS document: OF27. 00‑P‑3000‑05A) for customer complaints in detail and forward it to the workshop. Operation steps for the workshop employee: Perform quick test ·Access the transmission control unit via XENTRY Diagnosis ·Select "A customer complaint has been received" and carry out all subsequent operation steps (IPR diagnosis path). ·The IPR repair instructions are displayed. Carry out the IPR repair instructions without performing any further diagnostic or repair steps. ·Important: The IPR repair instructions are binding and must be carried out. Differing repairs are possible; such repairs must be documented in XENTRY in free text. Please observe the information regarding the IPR diagnosis process in XENTRY. ·Conventional diagnosis and subsequent appropriate repairs are only permitted if IPR does not specify any repair instructions. ·Invoicing for the guided IPR steps: Operation item 27‑0640 and 0.1 hours !!!!! Notice regarding warranty: !!!!! ·The use of IPR in association with warranty claims is mandatory! ·If the IPR repair instructions are disregarded without justification, the warranty claims may be rejected and/or are subject to debit. IPR will provide a measure to repair the vehicle based on various data sources (EEPROM, fault codes, etc). Please consider the vehicle maintenance record of the vehicle. For warranty and goodwill repairs, the transmission ECU test log and/or IPR test result must be uploaded into Paperless XENTRY Diagnosis (pXD) . If repair is being determined based of oil pan condition pictures of oil pan MUST be provided to warranty as justification. ·Tamper‑proof documentation: The IPR repair instructions are stored in the control unit log. Please file this document in a tamperproof manner ‑ either in digital form or as a hard‑copy printout and also enclose a printout with the damaged part. In this regard, please comply with the country‑specific warranty requirements of the MPC/general distributor.
STEERING
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 the vehicle. Cause Ball screw drive (KGT) of electric steering damaged by: 1. External force due to: ‑ Hitting the curb/posts with the front wheels. ‑ Driving over obstacles (e.g. pothole/ threshold/ speed bump/ gully) at an inappropriate speed. 2. Corrosion/ water ingress through a damaged boot (see attachment). ‑ Cracks (1) ‑ High pressure cleaner (2) ‑ Animal bite (3) See various examples listed in the attachments for examples of outside influence. Remedy Remove boot clamps closest to steering gear housing on both left and right (as seen in "Steering Rack Boot Clamp Location"). Pull back boot and inspect for rust, broken end stops, water, or any other anomalies. Replace electric steering. Note: Steering gears replaced due to outside influence or damage must not be claimed under warranty!
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.