YearToAvoid

2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

57/100

#4 most-complained of 8 S550 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 has a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 4th worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Suspension issues make up 44% of complaints, with steering close behind at 31%.

Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
14.5 city / 22 hwy

Top 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (44%)
  2. Fuel System5 (31%)
  3. Steering5 (31%)
  4. Airbags1 (6%)
  5. Brakes1 (6%)
  6. Other1 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Air suspension struts fail suddenly, sometimes causing the car body to sit directly on the tires.
  • One owner reported the front suspension had collapsed to the ground overnight while parked in a garage.
  • Steering wheel became difficult to turn at low speed, with one driver only regaining control after pressing the brake pedal.
  • A steering column reportedly fractured, and in another case the steering wheel spun freely with no control over the front wheels shortly after purchase.
  • A fuel leak was found near a cushion on top of the fuel system after a tire impact, with gas fumes smelled inside the cabin.
2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2011Jul 2014Oct 2015Aug 2016May 2018Dec 2020Nov 2022Jan 2025
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2011 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2011 (3).

2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14.5 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
17.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,575
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other S550 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution5716017.5
2011Good299217.5
2012Best145218.5

All Mercedes-Benz S550 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2010 S550 a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 8 model years with data. Suspension and steering account for most reported problems.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 S550?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints make up 44% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 82,000 (steering failures reported around 52,000 miles). Steering and Fuel System complaints each account for 31% of reports.
Does the 2010 S550 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2010 S550, compared to 2 to 10 recalls on several later model years like 2014-2017.
How does the 2010 S550 compare to other years?
The 2010 S550 (Complaint Index 57) ranks worse than 2011-2013 and 2016-2017 (Complaint Index 14 to 71), but better than 2014 and 2015, which have Complaint Indexes of 86 and 100 and Avoid verdicts.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.