2013 Mercedes-Benz S550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
32,420 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Wheels is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Wheels: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Tires: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 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 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering 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 10503580 · 2013-03-19 (March 19, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS A HALF OF A INCH HIGHER THAN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MEASURED UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10639402 · 2014-09-26 (September 26, 2014)
I LEASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2013, SINCE 06/06/2013 THIS CAR HAS BEEN BACK IN SHOP FOR SAME PROBLEM 8 TIMES, BUBBLES ON THE TIRES WHICH CUTS OPEN THE TIRE AT THE EDGE OF THE WHEEL. LAST MONTH THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AGAIN AND WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP IT DEVELOPED ANOTHER BUBBLE ON ANOTHER TIRE. NOW MBUSA IS SAYING THERE IS NO DEFECT ON THE CAR, I AM SAYING WHEELS AND TIRES COME WITH THE CAR AND THEY ARE PART OF THE CAR AND THAT THAT THIS CAR IS LEMON OR DEFECTIVE, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO TRAVEL IN IT. MBUSA DONT WANT TO ADMIT IT BUT ALL THE SERVICE…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,840 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10683618 · 2015-02-16 (February 16, 2015)
WHILE MAKING RIGHT-HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN A TURNED POSITION AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT - LOCKED EPISODE LASTED FOR 2-4 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 2X AND I HAVE LEFT THE CAR WITH A DEALER AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL ALL COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING ARE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT MADE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10683618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10965986 · 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)
PROBLEM 1: CAR SOLD TO ME WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE. SILVERSTAR MOTORS IN L.I CITY, NY SOLD ME THE CAR & WITHHELD MATERIAL INFORMATION. THE CAR HAD 4 DAMAGED & DEFECTIVE WHEELS. THIS WAS DISCLOSED TO ME BY ANOTHER DEALER HELMS BROTHERS. TIRES WERE CONSTANTLY LOSING AIR; FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS & WAS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP. SILVERSTAR GAVE ME 4 NEW TIRES TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY TROUBLES & I HAVE ALREADY LOST 2 OF THEM IN A FEW MONTHS. ONE WAS DAMAGED LAST FRIDAY DOING 10 MILES AN HOUR ON ARCHER AVENUE IN QUEENS NY HITTING A POT H…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10965986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123895 · 2018-08-31 (August 31, 2018)
I JUST HAD A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR DONE TO MY 2013 S550; REPLACING THE ENGINE HARNESS, ON A CAR THAT WAS LOOKED AFTER LIKE MY OWN CHILD! OIL CHANGES REGULARLY, SERVICE A AND SERVICE B AS SOON AS THE LIGHT WENT ON, ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY THIS SORT OF DAMAGE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A PERFECTLY WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. A REPAIR THAT SET ME BACK $6,800.00 THAT I DID NOT HAVE AT THE TIME. THROUGH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD REACH OUT TO MB USA REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS POTENTIA…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209758 · 2019-05-24 (May 24, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH ILLUMINATION TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS AND CREATED CONDENSATION. MERCEDES-BENZ OF COCONUT CREEK (LOCATED AT 4250 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, [phone removed]) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED $1,500 PER HEADLAMP UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510491 · 2023-03-06 (March 6, 2023)
A Retaliatory Action to cause personal harm. Believe original vin was placed on this car because of a complaint against medical doctors now under investigation. Took pictures and other proofs. Note on this vehicle says there are hazard mercury arts used on vehicle like lighting and lists other parts and advises removal to be done as hazardous materials etc. can upload photo of it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510491 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.