2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the S550 at the same age

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.8× as many as a typical S550 model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the windows, wipers & sunroof (4 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles). 5 recalls cover this model year.

24complaints
5recalls
4crashes
0fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems

  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~18,000 miles
    417%
  • Other / not specified~19,000 miles
    417%
  • Brakes~70,000 miles
    313%
  • Steering
    313%
  • Air bags~50,000 miles
    28%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~3,000 miles
    28%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~2,000 miles
    28%
  • Suspension~2,000 miles
    28%
  • Wheels & tires~43,000 miles
    28%
  • Seat belts
    28%
  • Body & structure~2,000 miles
    14%
  • Electrical system~2,000 miles
    14%
  • Equipment & accessories
    14%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    14%
  • Lights~18,000 miles
    14%
  • Locks & latches~55,000 miles
    14%
  • Driver assistance
    14%
  • Engine & cooling~90,000 miles
    14%

Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints by model year

200720082010201120122013201420152016201754191695724472618
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz S550. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best S550 years: 2012, 2011, 2013. Years to avoid: 2015, 2007, 2016, 2014, 2017. Compare all years →

2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls (5)

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

NHTSA recall 23V-854 · Dec 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024.

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

NHTSA recall 21V-197 · Mar 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45…

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge.

Communication

NHTSA recall 19V-787 · Nov 1, 2019 · 24,226 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location.

Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge.

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 16V-899 · Dec 14, 2016 · 70 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Seat belts › Front › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 13V-576 · Nov 20, 2013 · 290 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 S550 vehicles manufactured April 11, 2013, through October 14, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the front seat belt anchor might not be installed correctly allowing it to come loose in a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the front seat belt anchor fitting, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550:

Front Roof Panel Detachment

NHTSA investigation PE21001 · opened Jan 8, 2021 · closed Oct 14, 2021 · led to recall 21V-197

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the…

What 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 owners say

Windows, wipers & sunroof

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. …

8,000 miles · Oct 2014 · crash

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. …

Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior · 2,000 miles · Dec 2013

Brakes

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.

Foundation components › Disc › Pads · 70,000 miles · Aug 2024

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. …

2,000 miles · Dec 2013

Steering

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

Jul 2021

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.

Dec 2017

2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.7L 8-cyl turbo7-speed automaticRWD17 / 26 / 20

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 a good car?

Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 S550 rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the S550 at the same age. It is one of the S550 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550?

The windows, wipers & sunroof — 4 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rearview mirrors/devices › exterior. Next are the brakes (3) and steering (3).

How many recalls does the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550, the most recent from December 15, 2023 (roof and pillars). 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 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 57% 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.