2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
30,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 24 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 4; Steering: 3; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Visibility/Wiper: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10653234 · 2014-11-07 (November 7, 2014)
I WAS ON A TEST DRIVE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. SPEED WAS 55MPH. VAN PULLED IN FRONT OF ME AND DECELERATED. MERCEDES MAINTAINED SPEED AND WAS CLOSING RAPIDLY. APPLIED BRAKES HARD TO AVOID REAR ENDING VAN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10653234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10732993 · 2015-07-09 (July 9, 2015)
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 COU…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10732993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10838560 · 2016-02-26 (February 26, 2016)
WHEN MAKING TURNS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, THERE IS A MOANING NOISE HEARD. CAUSE: LOWER ENGINE COMPARTMENT CENTER AND REAR, STEEERING COUPLING, RUBBER BELLOWS ON STEERING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10838560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102977 · 2018-06-21 (June 21, 2018)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11102977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10726601 · 2015-06-22 (June 22, 2015)
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 DR…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10726601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440259 · 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -Steering :Electrical Power Assist , Drive Shaft
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440259 at NHTSA ↗