2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems & Complaints

Avoid3.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the S550 at the same age

Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 3.3× as many as a typical S550 model year at the same age, which makes the 2015 one of the S550 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the seat belts (8 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year.

47complaints
6recalls
6crashes
3fires
8injuries
0deaths

Most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems

  • Seat belts~30,000 miles
    817%
  • Other / not specified~31,000 miles
    817%
  • Wheels & tires~22,000 miles
    715%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~11,000 miles
    613%
  • Body & structure~79,000 miles
    613%
  • Electrical system~24,000 miles
    511%
  • Air bags~11,000 miles
    511%
  • Brakes~24,000 miles
    49%
  • Steering~45,000 miles
    49%
  • Engine & cooling
    36%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~152,000 miles
    36%
  • Driver assistance
    12%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    12%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~24,000 miles
    12%
  • Locks & latches
    12%
  • Suspension~100,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 47 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 →

2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls (6)

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.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 17V-177 · Mar 14, 2017 · 51 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

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

NHTSA recall 15V-657 · Oct 14, 2015 · 2,580 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 S550 4Matic Coupe, AMG S63 4Matic Coupe, and AMG S65 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2014, to April 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, left-side front seat belts may have been installed on the right-side and vice versa.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the installation of the seat belts, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2015. MBUSA's recall number is 2015100002.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2015 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 owners say

Seat belts

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that the rear driver's side seat belt was inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to retract as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed seat belt retractor. The contact was informed that the seat belt retractor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Front › Retractor · 75,000 miles · Oct 2023

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes Benz S550. While driving at 40 MPH, the contact was involved in a front end collision with another vehicle. The air bags partially deployed and the seat belt did not tighten. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bulging disc and severe nerve damage to the left hand and legs. The contact was recommended to have surgery for the nerve damage. The contact's mother suffered bruising and a concussion. Both occupants received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and was deemed repairable. It was unknown if a dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the air bags performed as intended. The failure mileage was 11,000.

11,000 miles · Apr 2016 · crash · 2 injuries

Wheels & tires

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 equipped with Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: P Zero Nero, Tire Size: 275/35/R20, DOT Number: XNX0M2622716. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration coming from the tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, and it was confirmed that there was tread separated on the rear tires. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The tire failure mileage was 10,000. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 44,000.

44,000 miles · Nov 2022

Brought my vehicle to my mechanic because of noise that recently appeared in my car. To my surprise the mechanic stated that my engine is completely failing and would require an entire new engine. I purchased this car less than two years ago with an estimated 79,000 miles. Vehicle currently has an estimated 112,000 miles. Never missed a service interval for the vehicle. Now several components of the engine are completely failing.

Mar 2025

Windows, wipers & sunroof

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (STRUCTURE) and the dealer declined to service the recall because the sunroof panel was glass and not plastic. The manufacturer was made aware of the dealer's refusal and contacted the dealer. The manufacturer stated that the dealer would repair the recall. The contact stated she called the dealer again however, the dealer declined to remove the bonding adhesive and replace the front panel per the recall. The failure mileage was not available.

Sun/moon roof assembly · Oct 2021

I'm reporting a problem that can cause the vehicle to catch on fire. During cold temperatures the heated windshield will turn on and the car will catch on fire.

Feb 2023 · fire

2015 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 a good car?

Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 S550 rates avoid: 3.3× 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550?

The seat belts — 8 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › retractor. Next are the wheels & tires (7) and windows, wipers & sunroof (6).

How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2015 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 22,000 miles; 83% 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.