2008 Mercedes Benz E550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
67,174 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 15 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Wheels: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Suspension: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10284653 · 2009-09-20 (September 20, 2009)
2008 MERCEDES E550 RIM PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TWO FRONT TIRE BLOWOUTS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM HITTING SMALL POT HOLE. THE RIM GETS BENT THEN THE TIRE BLOWS OUT. THE LATEST INCIDENT, A POLICE OFFICER AND I WATCHED MANY VEHICLES DRIVING OVER THE POT HOLE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE RIMS ARE THE 12 SPOKE THAT COMES STOCK ON THE E550'S. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,441 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10435537 · 2011-11-14 (November 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIRE BLOWOUTS DUE TO DRIVING OVER ROAD IRREGULARITIES. THE FAILURES WERE EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE EQUIPPED WITH LOW PROFILE RIMS. THE BLOWN OUT TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439247 · 2011-12-10 (December 10, 2011)
THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A R…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10439247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548721 · 2013-10-21 (October 21, 2013)
MOST OF THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. THE REASON IS THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE STARTED SMELLING "GAS" FUMES IN OUR GARAGE FROM OUR CAR. MY DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE STARTED PARKING OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER STARTED GETTING SICK SHE SAID FROM THE GAS FUMES. IT IS NOW VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MERCEDES E550 IS LEAKING FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH FROM AN EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT AND FROM A DAY TO DAY HEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554678 · 2013-12-03 (December 3, 2013)
GAS SMELL INSIDE OF THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 67,174 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554961 · 2013-12-05 (December 5, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10667948 · 2014-12-23 (December 23, 2014)
JUST PURCHASED THIS 2008 E550 WITH 100K MILES ON IT. IT WAS INSPECTED AND SAID TO BE A GREAT MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME STOP CAR TOO LOW. CAR WAS IN SPORT MODE WITH THE VEHICLE RAISED BUTTON INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, AS IT SAT FOR AN APPROXIMATE 1 HOUR I NOTICED IT DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON TOO SEE IF IT WOULD RAISE AGAIN AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS STILL WORKING BUT NO MOVEMENT WAS HAPPENING. I LOOKED IT U…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,018 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10670070 · 2015-01-05 (January 5, 2015)
RELATED TO CASE# EA13003 I RECENTLY PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 E550 WITH 59K MILES IN DECEMBER 2014. AFTER FILL-UP, I NOTICED A FAINT FUEL SMELL ON THE DRIVERS REAR AREA NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE ALSO OPENED UP THE ACCESS HATCH AND NOTICED FUEL SEEPING FROM THE SENDING UNIT. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT ISSUES I HAVE SEEN IN REGARDS TO CASE #EA13003. THIS SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE TANK LEVEL GOES BELOW 3/4. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,213 miles reported. Look up ODI 10670070 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗