Most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems
Share of the 18 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 →
2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls (10)
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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
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 › Auto crash notification
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021.
Communication › Auto crash notification
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021.
Communication
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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 GLE400 4Matic, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLS450, GLE63S 4Matic, GLS63 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65 AMG, S550, Mercedes-Maybach S600, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, GLE63S 4Matic Coupe,…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left rear door lock, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018.
Show 4 more recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300, S65 AMG Coupe, S550, S65 AMG Cabriolet, S550 Cabriolet, S550e, S65 AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach S600 vehicles. A transistor within the power steering control unit may overheat resulting in the power steering system being disabled.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering rack, replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 C300, C300 4Matic, C300 Coupe, C300 Coupe 4Matic, C43 AMG, C43 AMG Coupe, C43 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, C63S Cabrio, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, GLC43 AMG, S550, S550 4Matic, S550e, S600, S63 AMG 4Matic, S65, Mercedes-Maybach S550 4Matic,…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belts, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Seat belts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S63 AMG Coupe, S65 AMG Coupe, S550 Coupe 4Matic, S63 AMG 4Matic Convertible, and S550 Convertible vehicles manufactured June 29, 2015, to March 15, 2016.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S550 Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S65 AMG Coupe and S63 AMG Convertible 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to February 4, 2016. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550:
Front Roof Panel Detachment
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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and closing the sunroof, he heard a cracking sound and the sunroof failed to close properly. The contact stated he attempted to open and close the sunroof however, the sunroof only partially closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was similar to the failure mentioned in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The contact was then referred to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
The dashboard is separating where the airbag is on the passenger side and also the driver side which could deploy the airbag
Steering
Steering wheel will move in and out, but has stopped moving up and down. The steering wheel is stuck in the UP position. This has caused me to readjust all my seat settings and has made it more difficult to see the dash.
Had my S550 into this dealership two (2) consecutive years for a power steering rack issue that ended up being related to rodent damage. The first time it happened the dealership replaced the wiring free of charge after discovering it, after initially telling me that the rack itself would have to be replaced. This year both the wiring and the rack itself needed to be replaced, and I was made to go through my auto insurance to have it fixed. My sons Cadillac, and my girlfriends Range Rover Sport share the same driveways with me, and have had no rodent damage. I did a bit of research and found that Mercedes now designs their cables with soy based materials, which attract rats, so the fact that my car has been eaten twice is more or less by MB design, as they apparently care more about the environment than they do about my ability to steer my car continuously for 1 year straight. …
2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 S550 rates use caution: 1.7× 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 4 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the steering (3) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 23,000 miles; 67% 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.