2013 Mercedes-Benz S550 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz S550, 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
- Exterior lighting222.2%
- Other / unspecified222.2%
- Engine111.1%
- Body & structure111.1%
- Tires & wheels111.1%
- Steering111.1%
- Electrical111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
A Retaliatory Action to cause personal harm. Believe original vin was placed on this car because of a complaint against medical doctors now under investigation. Took pictures and other proofs. Note on this vehicle says there are hazard mercury arts used on vehicle like lighting and lists other parts and advises removal to be done as hazardous materials etc. can upload photo of it.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH ILLUMINATION TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS AND CREATED CONDENSATION. MERCEDES-BENZ OF COCONUT CREEK (LOCATED AT 4250 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (954) 406-1167) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED $1,500 PER HEADLAMP UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEM 1: CAR SOLD TO ME WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE. SILVERSTAR MOTORS IN L.I CITY, NY SOLD ME THE CAR & WITHHELD MATERIAL INFORMATION. THE CAR HAD 4 DAMAGED & DEFECTIVE WHEELS. THIS WAS DISCLOSED TO ME BY ANOTHER DEALER HELMS BROTHERS. TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY LOSING AIR; FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS & WAS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP. SILVERSTAR GAVE ME 4 NEW TIRES TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY TROUBLES & I HAVE ALREADY LOST 2 OF THEM IN A FEW MONTHS. ONE WAS DAMAGED LAST FRIDAY DOING 10 MILES AN HOUR ON ARCHER AVENUE IN QUEENS NY HITTING A POT HOLE. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE TIRE INSURANCE KNOWING THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH A PREVIOUS 2006 MERCEDES CLS 500 & THIS ONE. MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE HELD TO HIGHER STANDARDS FOR TIRES,& WHEELS STRENGTH & RESILIENCE. THEY SHOULD DISCLOSE TO ALL BUYERS THAT LOW PROFILE TIRES & LARGE RIMS CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM ON CITY STREETS. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I WAS LEAVING AN ATM DRIVE-IN AT CHASE BANK; GOING 5 MPH I SIDE SWIPED THE CURB, LOST AIR IN BOTH RIGHT TIRES & HAD TO CALL FOR ROAD SERVICE. SUCH LITTLE FORCE TO THE TIRES CAUSED A MAJOR PROBLEM & COULD AT HIGH SPEEDS BE DEADLY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ONLY GOING YES 5MPH. THE WHEEL & TIRE ISSUES HAD CAR OUT OF SERVICE AT SILVER STAR FOR OF 3-4 WEEKS. PROBLEM # 2: ENGINE LIGHT ON. HELMS BROTHERS HAD CAR 3 X FOR 27 DAYS. THEY PULLED OUT ENGINE & TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE ENGINE HARNESS WIRING. I PICKED UP THE CAR & THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AT ONE OF THE ENGINE SENSORS & THEY CLEANED IT UP & SECURED IT. AGAIN THE 3RD TIME I RETURNED BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HELMS BROTHERS SAID THEY MISSED ONE OF THE ENGINE SENSORS, & CLEANED IT OR REPLACED IT AND SECURED IT. THEY ALSO REMOVED ALL THE GAS FROM THE TANK (5 GALLONS +/-) THE THIRD TRIP & PUT IN A FEW GALLONS OF NEW GAS. THE CAR WAS ROAD TESTED ONE WEEK MORE. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED OFF.
I LEASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2013, SINCE 06/06/2013 THIS CAR HAS BEEN BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM 8 TIMES, BUBBLES ON THE TIRES WHICH CUTS OPEN THE TIRE AT THE EDGE OF THE WHEEL. LAST MONTH THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AGAIN AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP IT DEVELOPED ANOTHER BUBBLE ON ANOTHER TIRE. NOW MBUSA IS SAYING THERE IS NO DEFECT ON THE CAR, I AM SAYING WHEELS AND TIRES COME WITH THE CAR AND THEY ARE PART OF THE CAR AND THAT THAT THIS CAR IS LEMON OR DEFECTIVE, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO TRAVEL IN IT. MBUSA DONT WANT TO ADMIT IT BUT ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE AT KOONS DEALERSHIP IN CATONSVILLE MD. IN MY OPINION A FATAL ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME IF THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE ROAD. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST HAD A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR DONE TO MY 2013 S550; REPLACING THE ENGINE HARNESS, ON A CAR THAT WAS LOOKED AFTER LIKE MY OWN CHILD! OIL CHANGES REGULARLY, SERVICE A AND SERVICE B AS SOON AS THE LIGHT WENT ON, ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY THIS SORT OF DAMAGE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A PERFECTLY WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. A REPAIR THAT SET ME BACK $6,800.00 THAT I DID NOT HAVE AT THE TIME. THROUGH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD REACH OUT TO MB USA REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS POTENTIALLY A DESIGN FLAW. SADLY, THEY NO LONGER COME TO THE PHONE AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE INDIVIDUAL I SPOKE TO DECIDED THAT SINCE I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH MB, THERE IS LITTLE THEY WILL DO FOR ME. PERHAPS IF THE MECHANICS AT FLETCHER JONES MERCEDES BENZ IN LAS VEGAS WHO SERVICED MY CAR WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, WOULD HAVE BOTHERED TO LOOK AT WHAT WAS DONE ON PREVIOUS VISITS, OR IF THEY WOULD HAVE MAYBE PAID A BIT MORE ATTENTION TO MY COMMENT THAT 'IT STILL SMELLS LIKE BURNING OIL' , PERHAPS I COULD HAVE AVOIDED A REPAIR THAT I COULD ILL AFFORD.
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 2013 MERCEDES BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS A HALF OF A INCH HIGHER THAN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MEASURED UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I LEASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2013, SINCE 06/06/2013 THIS CAR HAS BEEN BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM 8 TIMES, BUBBLES ON THE TIRES WHICH CUTS OPEN THE TIRE AT THE EDGE OF THE WHEEL. LAST MONTH THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AGAIN AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP IT DEVELOPED ANOTHER BUBBLE ON ANOTHER TIRE. NOW MBUSA IS SAYING THERE IS NO DEFECT ON THE CAR, I AM SAYING WHEELS AND TIRES COME WITH THE CAR AND THEY ARE PART OF THE CAR AND THAT THAT THIS CAR IS LEMON OR DEFECTIVE, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO TRAVEL IN IT. MBUSA DONT WANT TO ADMIT IT BUT ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE AT KOONS DEALERSHIP IN CATONSVILLE MD. IN MY OPINION A FATAL ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME IF THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE ROAD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE MAKING RIGHT-HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN A TURNED POSITION AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT - LOCKED EPISODE LASTED FOR 2-4 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 2X AND I HAVE LEFT THE CAR WITH A DEALER AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL ALL COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING ARE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT MADE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS. *TR
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
PROBLEM 1: CAR SOLD TO ME WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE. SILVERSTAR MOTORS IN L.I CITY, NY SOLD ME THE CAR & WITHHELD MATERIAL INFORMATION. THE CAR HAD 4 DAMAGED & DEFECTIVE WHEELS. THIS WAS DISCLOSED TO ME BY ANOTHER DEALER HELMS BROTHERS. TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY LOSING AIR; FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS & WAS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP. SILVERSTAR GAVE ME 4 NEW TIRES TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY TROUBLES & I HAVE ALREADY LOST 2 OF THEM IN A FEW MONTHS. ONE WAS DAMAGED LAST FRIDAY DOING 10 MILES AN HOUR ON ARCHER AVENUE IN QUEENS NY HITTING A POT HOLE. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE TIRE INSURANCE KNOWING THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH A PREVIOUS 2006 MERCEDES CLS 500 & THIS ONE. MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE HELD TO HIGHER STANDARDS FOR TIRES,& WHEELS STRENGTH & RESILIENCE. THEY SHOULD DISCLOSE TO ALL BUYERS THAT LOW PROFILE TIRES & LARGE RIMS CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM ON CITY STREETS. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I WAS LEAVING AN ATM DRIVE-IN AT CHASE BANK; GOING 5 MPH I SIDE SWIPED THE CURB, LOST AIR IN BOTH RIGHT TIRES & HAD TO CALL FOR ROAD SERVICE. SUCH LITTLE FORCE TO THE TIRES CAUSED A MAJOR PROBLEM & COULD AT HIGH SPEEDS BE DEADLY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ONLY GOING YES 5MPH. THE WHEEL & TIRE ISSUES HAD CAR OUT OF SERVICE AT SILVER STAR FOR OF 3-4 WEEKS. PROBLEM # 2: ENGINE LIGHT ON. HELMS BROTHERS HAD CAR 3 X FOR 27 DAYS. THEY PULLED OUT ENGINE & TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE ENGINE HARNESS WIRING. I PICKED UP THE CAR & THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. THEY SAID THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AT ONE OF THE ENGINE SENSORS & THEY CLEANED IT UP & SECURED IT. AGAIN THE 3RD TIME I RETURNED BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HELMS BROTHERS SAID THEY MISSED ONE OF THE ENGINE SENSORS, & CLEANED IT OR REPLACED IT AND SECURED IT. THEY ALSO REMOVED ALL THE GAS FROM THE TANK (5 GALLONS +/-) THE THIRD TRIP & PUT IN A FEW GALLONS OF NEW GAS. THE CAR WAS ROAD TESTED ONE WEEK MORE. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED OFF.
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 .