2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 Owner Complaints

I purchased this vehicle in July 2020. I did a through check for recalls, warranty problems and could not identify any with this vehicle. From the get go the check engine light would come on. I checked the codes and they indicated an "electrical fault on bank 1, oxygen sensor 1. I replaced the wiring harness on that sensor as well as the sensor. From then until now the car would code weekly about the same issue. Eventually I started using a catalytic converter cleaner (it cleans off sulfur deposits) in an attempt to solve the issue. It would work for a couple of tanks of gas and then continuing coding. I asked MB on numerous occasions about what the issue was. They all said they had no idea. It looks to me like they knew what the issue was, but kept it to themselves. Several weeks ago I received a letter in the mail(not dated by postmark) but the letter was dated August, 2023. The letter outlined an issue with the catalytic converter system identifying my vehicle by vin. The same problem I have had all along. The letter came at a time when the car codes almost daily with the same issue as always, ONLY NOW THE VEHICLE STALLS occasionally while waiting at stop lights. I said great. I called to get an appointment to fix the issue only to be told that the fix window had passed. I told them that I just got the letter. They told me that the fix expired in December 2023. I called MB hotline at 1-800-367-6372 to see what was up. They said they would get back to me in 3 days. It's been a week so I called again and they advised me they can't help. It's an issue for the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 MB S550 W221. Why is this not a recall and why won't they fix it. It's an expensive repair. They sent me the letter and said it was expired 6 months before I received the letter. Can you help?

NHTSA ID

11610863

Incident

Aug 26, 2024

There is a strong smell of fuel in the cabin. When I lifted up the rear seats, where the odor is coming from, I see a film of fuel around the fuel sending unit on the driver's side. I lift up the sound insulation and I see fuel that has leaked on total the top of the sending unit.

NHTSA ID

11469134

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

VEHICLE CUT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING LUCKY OUTSIDE, THE CORNER OF ENGINE PASSENGER SIDE BELLOW THE HEADLIGHT STORES THE SUSPENSION AIR PUMP AND ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC STEERING PUMP.. BASE ON MY INSPECTION THE EHPS HEATED AND SET ON FIRE.SOMEONE SAW THE CAR ON FIRE AND CALLED FIRE DEPT.. CAR WAS LOCK AND STORE AFTER HOURS

NHTSA ID

11413503

Incident

Apr 21, 2021

Mileage

22,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2019, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY SOMEONE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF ARROWHEAD (LOCATED AT 9260 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, (623) 815-3900) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11254246

Incident

Aug 30, 2019

Mileage

86,000 mi

THERE IS AN PLASTIC PLUG IN THE OIL SYSTEM THAT LEAKS OIL FROM THE ENGINE ON TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS WAS REPORTED BECAUSE OF INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION, VAPOR IN THE ENGINE SPACE AND A SMELL OF BURNED OIL. THE PLASTIC PLUG IS KNOWN TO LEAK AND MERCEDES DOES NOTHING ABOUT THIS DURING WARRANTY AND INSTEAD WAITS UNTIL THE VEHICULAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY CAUSING AN INCREASED TIME FOR A FIRE POTENTIAL. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS WITH THIS FIRE POTENTIAL.

NHTSA ID

11194863

Incident

Mar 31, 2019

Mileage

92,565 mi