Mercedes-Benz

S550

Large Cars · model years 2007 to 2017

Includes S550, S550 4matic, S550 4matic Coupe and 1 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 26 S550 trims All Mercedes-Benz cars

The verdict

Best year: 2009. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 16; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 2015. complaints: 47, about 2x this model's typical 24; recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Mercedes-Benz S550
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2007	2Gas	16.5	$4,675	0	54	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 16%, SUSPENSION 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 54, about 3.4x this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	2Gas	16	$4,800	0	19	0	no data	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, TIRES 16%, ENGINE 8%
complaints: 19, above this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	2Gas	17	$4,550	0	0	0	no data	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	2Gas	17.5	$4,425	0	16	0	91	SUSPENSION 26%, STEERING 22%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 16, in line with this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.
2011	2Gas	17.5	$4,425	2	9	0	57	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 9, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
2012	2Gas	18.5	$4,175	2	5	0	65	ENGINE 38%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 38%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 5, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
2013	2Gas	18.5	$4,175	0	7	0	63	EXTERIOR LIGHTING 20%, WHEELS 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 7, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 88 of 100, where higher is better.
2014	2Gas	19.5	$3,950	5	24	1	100	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%, STEERING 9%, AIR BAGS 6%
complaints: 24, about 1.5x this model's typical 16 recalls: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 23 of 100, where higher is better.
2015	3Gas	19	$4,050	6	47	1	99	SEAT BELTS 13%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, STRUCTURE 9%
complaints: 47, about 2x this model's typical 24 recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	3Gas	19	$4,050	5	27	2	105	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34%, STRUCTURE 9%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%
complaints: 27, above this model's typical 24 recalls: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	4Gas	20	$3,850	10	18	1	107	STEERING 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%, AIR BAGS 9%
complaints: 18, below this model's typical 32 recalls: 10, about 5x this model's typical 2 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2007: 16.5 to 2017: 20

Owner complaints2007: 54 to 2017: 18

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Mercedes-Benz S550 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.