Mercedes Benz S55 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,033 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2006 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Suspension: 4; Power Train: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Seat Belts: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10587676 · 2014-05-11 (May 11, 2014)
WHEN I START S55 AMG AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT, I FIND DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM P TO R; AFTER A FEW TRIES ONLY IT MOVES FROM PARK POSITION TO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR AFTER DRIVING, UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR THINKING I'LL GET STUCK WITH THIS GEAR LEVER MOVING PROBLEM, OR SOME UNFORESEEN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT GEAR GETTING STUCK. ON GOOGLE SEARCH, I READ SEVERAL MERCEDES OWNERS COMPLAINING ON THIS MATTER, STUCK-PARK-PROBLEM. FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARD REQUIRES YOU TO P…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660963 · 2014-11-25 (November 25, 2014)
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE GETTING STUCK IN "PARK" AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES (SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF 30 MINUTES) IT WILL RELEASE ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, ONCE AFTER GETTING IT TO SHIFT GEARS I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOME AND PUT IT IN PARK AT THE STOP SIGN (PRIOR TO TAKING A TRIP FAR AWAY FROM HOME) IT BECAME STUCK AGAIN (OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC) AND IT TOOK ME OVER 30 MINUTES (AGAIN) TO GET IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, I DROVE BAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10979845 · 2017-04-21 (April 21, 2017)
ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT, IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, THEN PULLED OVER. HAD KEY IN MY POCKET. ENGINE STAYED RUNNING AND COULD NOT TURN OFF WITH BUTTON OR BY KEY. GOT OUT OF OF CAR, CLOSED DOOR AND COULD NOT GET BACK IN ANY DOOR EVEN THOUGH DRIVER DOOR WAS NOT LOCKED (BUTTON UP). ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL COOLANT EXPANSION TANK EXPLODED. IF CHILD WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BACK, WOULD HAVE HAD TO BRAKE WINDOW TO GET IN. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHEN SO MANY OPTIONS DEPEND ON CAR'S ELECTRICAL WORKING. MERCEDES SAIL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING OVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,033 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979845 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2004: 0; 2006: 0