2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 Owner Complaints

We almost got into crash the other day, our 8-year-old kid got our attention that rear seatbelt got very loose and did NOT retract back at all. he almost hit his head. when I asked him if it has been like this he said no, it was tight when I buckled it in. We tried several times to retract it manually with no luck. I checked online and I have seen people complaining about the same thing. we have been lucky we didn't hit the other car then my child will be seriously injured. This is a very serious safety requirement. I hope Mercedes Benz will take this very seriously as well, before others get hurt.

NHTSA ID

11695355

Incident

May 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes Benz S550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware of oil spots on the driveway after parking the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where an inspection indicated that the oil filter housing was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was then given a list of other parts associated with the oil filter housing that also needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,677.

NHTSA ID

11677623

Incident

Dec 25, 2024

Mileage

89,677 mi

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11612076

Incident

Sep 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake pads were corroded. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the brake pads were severely corroded. The contact was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the same diagnostic was provided to the contact. The contact was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11608023

Incident

Aug 12, 2024

Mileage

70,000 mi

Rearvpassenger seat just stopped working. Won't retract.

NHTSA ID

11551449

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

The vehicle dropped at front axle areas on both sides. The next message stated "Vehicle to Low". Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Could not drive regular speed limit almost got rear ended. Reproduced i am not sure, there is however about 3 manufacturer communications on this issue. There have not been any inspections relating to this issue with insurance. The manufacturer Mercedes previously inspected and replaced several issues relating to suspension on this vehicle type. There are at least 40-60 product model vehicle types that have this issue. The vehicle i drive is one of them. The warning lamp came on when starting the car, the front end did not rise as it was expected to , warning lamp stated Vehicle level too low

NHTSA ID

11499543

Incident

Nov 25, 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -Steering :Electrical Power Assist , Drive Shaft

NHTSA ID

11440259

Incident

Jul 19, 2021

Pre safe disabled then Blind spot disabled then cruise control disabled this occurs in heavy rain had the dealer check it told they could not duplicate the problem told them this is a dangerous problem in heavy weather as you do have blind spots in the s class and you do need the system to work.once the weather improves or the heavy rain subsides the system restores itself

NHTSA ID

11431433

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

AT APPROXIMATELY 0030 FRIDAY AUGUST 07, I WAS TRAVELLING 65 MPH NORTH BOUND ON THE CA215/60 FREEWAY, THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC. I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, THEN A CRINCLING GLASS SOUND AND FINALLY A WHOOSHING OF AIR I WOULD SOON SEE WAS A GAPING HOLE WHERE MY CLOSED PANORAMIC SUNROOF USE TO BE. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND UPON INSPECTING THE CAR FOUND A HUGE HOLE WHERE MY PANARAMIC SUNROOF USE TO BE. I ALSO MADE A VIDEO AVAILABLE AT REQUEST.

NHTSA ID

11348455

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK MANUALLY OR WITH KEYS. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CUTLER BAY (10701 SW 211 ST, CUTLER BAY, FL 33189, (786) 232-0364) TO INFORM THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11339000

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND T-BONED HIS VEHICLE. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND FILED REPORT NUMBER: 190911002273. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *DT *AS

NHTSA ID

11257493

Incident

Sep 11, 2019

Mileage

50,000 mi

THIS PAST THURSDAY EVENING (DECEMBER 13, 2018) AROUND 10:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING (WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT) DOWN A CURVY STRETCH OF ROAD ON SUNSET BOULEVARD IN BEVERLY HILLS, WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD THUMPING SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY FELT VIOLENT VIBRATIONS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. SINCE WE WERE TRAVELING AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED OF 30 MPH, I WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO RE-GAIN THE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. ONCE I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE, I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL RIM HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN INTO TWO HALVES. I WAS SHOCKED AND VERY SURPRISED BECAUSE NOTHING COULD HAVE POSSIBLY EXPLAINED WHY THIS WHEEL COMPLETELY BROKE IN THE MANNER THAT IT DID. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND US AT THE TIME THE WHEEL BROKE, OR THAT WE WERE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS, OTHERWISE THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL WITH EVEN A POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT INJURY OR EVEN LOSS OF LIFE. A COMPLETE REPORT WITH PICTURES AND CAUSE OF RAPID FRACTURE OF THE RIM AS A COMPLAINT WAS PROVIDED TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE, THEY ARE REFUSING TO ADMIT TO ANY MATERIAL DEFECT AND LIABILITY.

NHTSA ID

11163871

Incident

Dec 13, 2018

Mileage

43,000 mi

ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 16V899000 AND THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT FROM THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SHOW AS AN IDENTICAL ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT IDENTIFIED AS APART OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATES THE ISSUE IS DUE TO THE STEERING CONTROL UNIT NOT BEING SOLDERED PROPERLY. DIFFICULT TO THINK THIS FALLS UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I WILL GET THE REPAIR DONE BEGRUDGINGLY, THOUGH IT WOULD BE NICE IF MERCEDES WOULD HAVE STOOD BEHIND ITS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11102977

Incident

Dec 18, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH PALM BEACH (9275 FL A1AALT, NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33403) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ISSUE NEEDED TO BE HANDLED BETWEEN THE CONTACT AND THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,497. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11078286

Incident

Jan 18, 2017

Mileage

18,497 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH MERGING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF MOBILE, 3060 DAUPHIN ST, MOBILE, AL, 36606) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUN ROOF FAILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED BODY DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND TRUNK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE THE CONTACT A CALL BACK AND SEND AN INVESTIGATOR. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED A CUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FACE DUE TO THE SHATTERED GLASS. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11040466

Incident

Oct 26, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

REAR BRAKE PADS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. BOTH INSIDE BRAKE PADS WERE INSTALLED ON THE REAR CALIPER FOUND THAT PADS ON THE RIGHT REAR WERE WORN DOWN TO 4-5MM ALSO FOUND THAT RIGHT REAR ROTOR HAS UNEVEN GROOVES FROM BRAKE PADS.

NHTSA ID

10838568

Incident

Feb 22, 2016

WHEN MAKING TURNS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, THERE IS A MOANING NOISE HEARD. CAUSE: LOWER ENGINE COMPARTMENT CENTER AND REAR, STEEERING COUPLING, RUBBER BELLOWS ON STEERING.

NHTSA ID

10838560

Incident

Dec 7, 2015

BACKUP LIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE TOTALLY USELESS. DEALER SAYS NO BRIGHTER BULBS ARE AVAILABLE. DANGEROUS SITUATION. BACKED INTO A MAILBOX AND DID $700.00 IN DAMAGE. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I SHOULD DO.

NHTSA ID

10811566

Incident

Feb 15, 2015

Mileage

18,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10748674

Incident

Aug 9, 2015

Mileage

16,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A HARD SHIFT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OR WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TILT FUNCTION FEATURE ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER MIRROR FAILED. WHEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE RIGHT PASSENGER MIRROR TILTED DOWNWARD AND TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE; THEREFORE, THE DRIVER COULD SEE ALL OBJECTS TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IN THE VEHICLE'S BLIND SPOT. THE MIRROR FAILED TO RETURN TO THE DRIVER'S SETTING AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AFTER BEING IN REVERSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITH THE MIRROR. THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WITH THE MIRROR PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10732993

Incident

Dec 1, 2013

Mileage

2,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2014. THE VEHICLE HAS A REVERSE TILT FUNCTION FEATURE ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER MIRROR. WHEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THE RIGHT PASSENGER MIRROR TILTS DOWNWARD AND TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE SO THAT THE DRIVER CAN SEE ALL OBJECTS TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE (IN THE VEHICLE'S BLIND SPOT). ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE RIGHT MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO RETURN TO THE DRIVER'S (MEMORY) SETTING POSITION FOR THE MIRROR SO THAT THE DRIVER IS ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE RIGHT MIRROR WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MIRROR ON THIS VEHICLE FAILS TO RETURN TO THE DRIVER'S (MEMORY) SETTING AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AFTER BEING IN REVERSE. THE MIRROR REMAINS IN THE DOWNWARD AND TO THE RIGHT POSITION THUS LEAVING THE DRIVER COMPLETELY UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE MIRROR WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER IS FORCED TO TAKE HIS/HER EYES OFF OF THE ROAD, AND THE SURROUNDING VEHICLES, TO MANUALLY ADJUST THE MIRROR THUS PLACING THE DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS AT A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY. WHILE IT IS UNCONFIRMED, THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE-SWIPE TYPE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, AND IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THIS MIRROR DEFECT WAS A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE TO THE ACCIDENT. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND IS AWARE THAT AT LEAST TWO CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE 2014 S550 MODEL. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS ALSO AWARE THAT THIS DEFECT EXISTS IN THE 2015 S550 MODEL. MERCEDES-BENZ USA HAS BEEN GIVEN NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO CURE THIS DEFECT AND IT HAS FAILED/REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR, THUS EXPOSING ALL 2014 AND 2015 S550 DRIVERS, AND THEIR PASSENGERS, TO A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY.

NHTSA ID

10726601

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

Mileage

8,000 mi

AGGRAVATING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS, TICK, TICK, TICKING NOISE AT ANY SPEED. COMPLAINED TO DEALER, BUT DESPITE EXCHANGING PUMPS, NOISE PERSISTS. COMPLAINED TO MBUSA, WAS TOLD THIS WAS A 'NORMAL NOISE'. SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON TO ME. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CAR NOISE AND RESPONSE TO MY PLEA FOR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10653968

Incident

Jul 15, 2014

Mileage

3,000 mi

I WAS ON A TEST DRIVE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. SPEED WAS 55MPH. VAN PULLED IN FRONT OF ME AND DECELERATED. MERCEDES MAINTAINED SPEED AND WAS CLOSING RAPIDLY. APPLIED BRAKES HARD TO AVOID REAR ENDING VAN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10653234

Incident

Sep 2, 2014

I PURCHASED A NEW 2014 MERCEDES S550 AND THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE I DID NOT HAVE A STOP SIGN. I NOTICED A LARGE SUV TRAVELING EAST BOUND AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS (GUESSING 35-40), WHICH DID NOT APPEAR TO BE STOPPING, BUT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE SUV IMPACTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AT FULL SPEED. MY VEHICLE SPUN AND WAS HIT AGAIN AT THE SIDE AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS PUSHED OVER THE CURB AND INTO A SNOW BANK WHERE I EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE YIELD SIGN. I WAS TRAPPED IN MY VEHICLE AS I HAD CARVED THRU THE SNOW AND ALL DOORS WERE BLOCKED. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT, SIDE AND BACK. THE HIT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE FRAME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, NEEDING FRAME REPAIR. THERE WERE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE CRASH AND GIVEN THE PREVIOUS MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, THIS WAS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME. I NOTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ OF THE ISSUE, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL SEVERAL REQUESTS THAT THEY RESPONDED. THEY SENT SOMEONE TO THE BODY SHOP TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND CONFIRMED THERE IS FRAME DAMAGE; HOWEVER, STATED IT WAS NOT HARD ENOUGH OF A HIT TO TRIGGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW IT CAN BE HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE FRAME DAMAGE YET NOT TRIGGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT? THIS IS A COMPLETELY REDESIGNED VEHICLE AND MINE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ON THE ROAD. I AM FEARFUL THAT THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED, OR UNCOVERED, SINCE THIS IS A RECENTLY RELEASED MODEL. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY NECK, BACK AND LEFT ELBOW. I AM HOPING THIS COULD GET ADDRESS TO AVOID FUTURE INJURIES, OR DEATH, TO OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10575159

Incident

Feb 12, 2014

Mileage

2,200 mi