Most common 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems
Share of the 19 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints by model year
Best S550 years: 2012, 2011, 2013. Years to avoid: 2015, 2007, 2016, 2014, 2017. Compare all years →
What 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 owners say
Wheels & tires
We were traveling home and our TPMS indicated a tire failure. The PSI starting dropping rapidly. We took the tire off and found that only 4 " of rubber holding the back sidewall together on the tire. I then inspected the other tires on the car (which were purchased and installed at the same time) are showing signs of failure as well. All of the tires are 255-40-r19 We had a family of 4 in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
I purchased 4 new 255/45/zr18 extremecontact dws about 13 months ago and now all 4 tires have a bulging bubble on the sidewalls. Of course I brought it back from where I purchased it from and they blame it on pot holes, road hazards. I currently cannot drive the vehicle in fear that I might have a blow out. I have purchased many tires before that were not continental and never experienced what im going through now. Let see how long it will take to be contacted with some help or what excuse they going to come up with.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the message "SAFETY" was temporarily displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle on several occasions, the message " SAFETY " was displayed on the infotainment system screen. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the messages "Active Head Lamp Inoperative" and "Service Required. Do Not Shift Gears" were displayed. The contact also stated that upon shifting into drive (D), the gear shift indicator displayed that the transmission was in park (P). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear and had become undrivable. An independent mechanic replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic informed the contact that the computer needed to be reset. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering intermittently. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was causing an engine misfire. The mechanic related the failure to an unknown recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz S550. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced an abnormal fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being on back order. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had referenced NHTSA campaign: 12V557000(fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
My vehicle has a strong gas odor while driving but particularly when the vehicle is static or parked. This smell is so strong that I cannot sit in the car and my clothes reak of the smell. There has not been any external gas leakage or performance issues with the car. Only the gas ordor that has given me a headache and makes me nauseated. The car only has 70,000 miles on it.
2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 21 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 S550 rates better than average: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S550 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 S550?
The wheels & tires — 5 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz S550?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2011 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015, 2007, 2016, 2014 and 2017. See the full Mercedes-Benz S550 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 20% 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.