2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems, complaints & recalls

2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls (5)

• Recall 23V854000Dec 15, 20232,976 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

  Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

• Recall 21V197000Mar 19, 202115,096 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

  Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 19V787000Nov 1, 201924,226 vehicles
  COMMUNICATION

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

  Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

• Recall 16V829000Nov 16, 2016672 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S63 AMG Coupe, S65 AMG Coupe, S550 Coupe 4Matic, S63 AMG 4Matic Convertible, and S550 Convertible vehicles manufactured June 29, 2015, to March 15, 2016. The seat belt extenders on the affected vehicles may not retract as intended and may potentially break the event of a crash.

  Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt extender does not retract and/or the extender breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 16V760000Oct 20, 2016996 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S550 Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S65 AMG Coupe and S63 AMG Convertible 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to February 4, 2016. The low beam headlights on the affected vehicles may not be properly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

  Pedestrian alert sounds

  NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

• PE21001Opened Jan 8, 2021Closed Oct 14, 2021led to recall 21V197000

  Front Roof Panel Detachment

  On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradati…

Recent 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 14, 202556,000 miCATowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that he was lucky to have been driving the vehicle in front of the residence and not on the highway. In addition, the contact stated that it was very difficult trying to move the vehicle from one parking space to another in front of the residence.…

   NHTSA complaint #11693453 · source
2. Filed Jun 16, 2025FLWheels & Tires

   Started car in parking lot and warming light read zero air in right front tire. No prior warning. Checking tire for any road hazard - nails or other potential punctures but none were present but the tire had a hole just below the wheel that had blown out. The tire is a Pirelli P Zero 245/40R20 Run Flat. Was able to drive it to Tire Discount the next day to replace the tire. Manager checked tire and could not find any other issue with the tire. They were supposed to hold the…

   NHTSA complaint #11667245 · source
3. Filed Jul 26, 2024CASeats & Seat Belts

   The car's front passenger passenger seat buckle fails to properly secure the seat belt. After inserting the seat belt it fails to latch into the buckle. The Mercedes dealer has examined the seat buckle and determined that it failed. They are recommending a replacement.

   NHTSA complaint #11604634 · source
4. Filed Jul 25, 2024NJBody & Structure

   My vehicle is listed in this Mercedes recall campaign bulletin, and it is also experiencing the safety issue that is discussed in this recall campaign bulletin: Campaign No.[phone removed], August 2021 Revision A 09/03/2021 When I contact Mercedes to have the issue addressed, they stated my Vin is not a part of this recall campaign, and to contact you about it.

   NHTSA complaint #11604437 · source
5. Filed May 13, 2024NJWheels & Tires

   Staggered tires on this car Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 2 Run flats. Front size - 245/40 R 20/99y, Rear -275/35 R 20/102 These tires cannot take the load of the car . I purchased the vehicle & the same tire (front driver side) has blown & ripped open over a moderate pothole, Aug 2020 & in Sep, 2022. In my opinion these tires are massive liability and a huge safety hazard. These are Summer runflat tires & also there no Allseason ROF's

   NHTSA complaint #11588467 · source
6. Filed Jan 10, 2024NCOther / Unknown

   On cold days below 40 degrees, my 2016 Mercedes S550 W222, trunk lid when closed using the close button on the trunk lid closes and immediately reopens. It will only stay closed if I tie it down with a rope or elastic cord. I found a work around if I am home and apply heat to the latch with a hair drier and spray the latch with silicone lubricant spray. This problem is identical to Mercedes Campaign No. [phone removed], April 2019, which applies to S-Clsss 222 platforms…

   NHTSA complaint #11564622 · source
7. Filed Jan 8, 2024CA1 injuredOther / Unknown

   While driving or even sitting this piece gets extremely hot and has actually burned me twice. As soon as the car is turned on the temperature rises on this piece that’s on by the arm rest

   NHTSA complaint #11564145 · source
8. Filed Mar 18, 2023TXEngine

   Catalytic converters are factory defective My vehicle has less than 80K miles and used as pleasure vehicle. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by a reputable independent service provider. Warning lights came on and upon inspection it was determined that 3 catalytic converters are defective. My spouse also complains about a bad odor when vehicle is on but not running.

   NHTSA complaint #11512500 · source

Compare the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology