Most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz E550 complaints by model year
Best E550 years: 2016, 2015, 2017. Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2007. Compare all years →
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 recalls (3)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550:
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of…
What 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
I filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and I discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... I cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel Vapors and I'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. The Mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for free and I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be rectified before someone dies in an explosion... no warning lights showed up but it is a common problem on the E-Class due to a cracked fuel filter housing module.
The seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it's filled. This creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. Unfortunately, Mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee.
2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 E550 rates average: 21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the E550 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550?
The fuel & propulsion system — 8 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the wheels & tires (2) and windows, wipers & sunroof (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz E550?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2015 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010, 2011 and 2007. See the full Mercedes-Benz E550 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 22% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.