VehicleVerdict

2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other S550 years?

S550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted83 complaints2007: 83 complaints2008: 25 complaints2010: 22 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 8 complaints2013: 10 complaints2014: 36 complaints2015: 58 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 20 complaints
S550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S550 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other633%
Body & Structure317%
Tires & Wheels317%
Seat Belts211%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Engine16%
Steering16%
Electrical System16%

Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V854000Body & StructureDecember 15, 2023 · 2,976 units

Defect

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 repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

21V197000Body & StructureMarch 19, 2021 · 15,096 units

Defect

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 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

Consequence

The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

19V787000OtherNovember 1, 2019 · 24,226 units

Defect

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. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Consequence

An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

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. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

16V829000Seat BeltsNovember 16, 2016 · 672 units

Defect

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. The seat belt extenders on the affected vehicles may not retract as intended and may potentially break the event of a crash.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat belt extender does not retract and/or the extender breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

16V760000LightingOctober 20, 2016 · 996 units

Defect

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO PHOENIX AZ TO DROP OFF MY MOM AND GRANDMA WHEN SUDDENLY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. THERE WASN'T ANY TYPE OF OBJECT NEAR ME TO CAUSE IT. IT WAS VERY RANDOM. THIS DISTURBED MY FAMILY MENTALLY SCARING THEM AND I SWERVED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 19, 2019

“Staggered tires on this car Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 2 Run flats. Front size - 245/40 R 20/99y, Rear -275/35 R 20/102 These tires cannot take the load of the car . I purchased the vehicle & the same tire (front driver side) has blown & ripped open over a moderate pothole, Aug 2020 & in Sep,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 13, 2024

“My vehicle is listed in this Mercedes recall campaign bulletin, and it is also experiencing the safety issue that is discussed in this recall campaign bulletin: Campaign No.2021070010, August 2021 Revision A 09/03/2021 When I contact Mercedes to have the issue addressed, they stated my Vin is not a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 25, 2024

“The car's front passenger passenger seat buckle fails to properly secure the seat belt. After inserting the seat belt it fails to latch into the buckle. The Mercedes dealer has examined the seat buckle and determined that it failed. They are recommending a replacement.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 21, 2024

“Catalytic converters are factory defective My vehicle has less than 80K miles and used as pleasure vehicle. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by a reputable independent service provider. Warning lights came on and upon inspection it was determined that 3 catalytic converters are…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 10, 2023

2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 — common questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2016 S550 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (6 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints).

Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz S550 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S550 years to avoid are 2007, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among S550 years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.