Mercedes-Benz
E550
Midsize Cars · model years 2007 to 2017
Includes E550, E550 4matic, E550 Convertible and 1 more as listed by the EPA.
Closest available photo (2006 model year); this page covers 2007 to 2017.
The verdict
Best year: 2016. complaints: 1, below this model's typical 16; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.
Worst year: 2011. complaints: 61, about 2.9x this model's typical 21; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.
Year by year
| Year | Trims | MPG | Fuel cost | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | TSBs | Top complaints | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2Gas | 16 | $4,800 | 4 | 37 | 0 | no data | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 40%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 31%, SUSPENSION 9% | |
Score: 23 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2008 | 2Gas | 16.5 | $4,675 | 3 | 15 | 0 | no data | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 28%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 17%, WHEELS 11% | |
Score: 58 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2009 | 2Gas | 16.5 | $4,675 | 3 | 4 | 0 | no data | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 25%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25% | |
Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2010 | 3Gas | 18 | $4,300 | 3 | 68 | 2 (1 open) | 115 | AIR BAGS 38%, SUSPENSION 34%, STRUCTURE 5% | |
Score: 22 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2011 | 4Gas | 18 | $4,300 | 3 | 61 | 2 (1 open) | 99 | AIR BAGS 49%, SUSPENSION 30%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5% | |
Score: 16 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2012 | 3Gas | 20 | $3,850 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 118 | AIR BAGS 36%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, STEERING 18% | |
Score: 60 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2013 | 3Gas | 20 | $3,850 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 117 | AIR BAGS 38%, SERVICE BRAKES 14%, STRUCTURE 14% | |
Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2014 | 3Gas | 21 | $3,650 | 4 | 16 | 1 | 112 | AIR BAGS 45%, SERVICE BRAKES 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10% | |
Score: 58 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2015 | 2Gas | 20.5 | $3,750 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 102 | AIR BAGS 50%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 50% | |
Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2016 | 3Gas | 21 | $3,650 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 107 | AIR BAGS 100% | |
Score: 84 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2017 | 2Gas | 20.5 | $3,750 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 120 | COMMUNICATION 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, STEERING 33% | |
Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
How the numbers moved
How we score each year
We compare each year of the Mercedes-Benz E550 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.
A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.
Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.