2010 Mercedes-Benz S550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
82,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 16 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 31.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 31.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Fuel Filter | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Suspension: 6; Steering: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Fuel System, Other:Fuel Filter: 1; Power Train: 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 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10388688 · 2011-03-07 (March 7, 2011)
WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS RELEASED EVEN FOR A FEW SECONDS, VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT AND WILL PUT YOU IN THE DITCH IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE SHOULD TRACK STRAIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS RELEASED.
Owner-reported narrative. 332 miles reported. Look up ODI 10388688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554582 · 2013-12-03 (December 3, 2013)
PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PREOWNED MERCEDES BENZ S5550 4 MATIC. COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED AN HOUR AFTER PURCHASE (AFTER 20 MILES OF DRIVING). THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING FREELY, AND NO CONTROL OVER THE FRONT WHEELS WAS POSSIBLE WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE RECOVERED BY THE DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615593 · 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. ..UPDATED 11/11/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10640885 · 2014-10-02 (October 2, 2014)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO CRASH. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HOUSE OF IMPORTS MERCEDES IN BUENA PARK TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW IT HAPPEN. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FILE A COMPLAINT AND MERCEDES DENIES THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I RECOMMEND A RECALL ON THERE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED ON A BACK ROAD AND NOT ON FREEWAY...UPDATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10640885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10781043 · 2015-10-09 (October 9, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT ON THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,599. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ UPDATED 04/18/18*JB *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 61,599 miles reported. Look up ODI 10781043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10819818 · 2016-01-12 (January 12, 2016)
MY S550 WHEN DRIVING WOULD SUDDENLY GIVE A MALFUNCTION SIGNAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SERVICE REPLACED THE 2 FRONT STRUTS. NOW THE CALL WILL GIVE A SIGNAL, RED LETTERS, "DO NOT MOVE CAR" AND THE ENTIRE STRUT SYSTEM WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CAR BODY IS VIRTUALLY SITTING ATOP THE TIRES. THIS AFTER REPLACING THE 2 FRONT STRUTS! THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO BE AT A LOSS AND I CAN'T EVEN GET THEM TO RETURN MY CALLS. I DON'T THINK IT IS A STRUT PROBLEM BUT A COMPUTER GLITCH. I DON'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO PAY FOR THE STRUT REPLACEMENT. I WOULD LIKE …
Owner-reported narrative. 139,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10819818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10899798 · 2016-08-31 (August 31, 2016)
WIFE DRIVING 45 MPH ON 4 LANE HWWY RIGHT FRONT OF CAR FALLS DOWN ON TIRE PULLED OFF ROAD SOON AS POSSIBILE RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT FAILED RUINED TIRE DAMAGED FENDER LUCKLY ONLY 45 MPH NOT 80 MPH ON I-75 INTERSTATE OR 130 MPH ON AUTOBON IN GERMANY OR SOMEBODY COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090495 · 2018-04-27 (April 27, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE NIGHT BEFORE AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF THE WOODLANDS, 16917 INTERSTATE 45 SOUTH, WOODLAND TEXAS 77385) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION HAD TO BE RE-CALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090495 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.