YearToAvoid

2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

29/100

#6 most-complained of 8 S550 years

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 has a Complaint Index of 29 and ranks 6th worst out of 8 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other S550 years. NHTSA lists 9 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 fire, and 1 crash for this year.

Complaints
9
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
14.5 city / 22 hwy

Top 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems

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

  1. Electrical System2 (22%)
  2. Engine2 (22%)
  3. Fuel System2 (22%)
  4. Other2 (22%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (11%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (11%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (11%)

What owners report

  • Owners report an engine harness near the oxygen sensor catching fire while the vehicle was parked, with median failure mileage across the sample near 118,000 miles.
  • Some describe the vehicle accelerating from 70 mph up to 110 mph on its own, along with warning indicators failing to illuminate and inaccurate GPS readings.
  • Water intrusion through a rear window seal has caused a 'services required, do not shift gear' warning and electrical shorting near the back seat.
  • Fuel system complaints describe fuel leaking or a fuel pump malfunction near the fuel filter flange, consistent with recall campaign 12V557000.
  • Owners report the air suspension collapsing while the vehicle sat parked in a garage, at a median mileage of 67,879 miles.
  • One owner describes a persistent 'Battery Not Charged' warning that locks the instrument cluster and disables TPMS and other display functions.
2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2015Jun 2017Sep 2020May 2024Aug 2026
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2015 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2016 (2).

2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V557000Dec 3, 2012Fuel System5,800 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.

    Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

  2. NHTSA 11V493000Oct 3, 2011Suspension, Wheels & Tires158 vehicles

    Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes Benz) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S550, S550 CGI, S63, S600 Bi-Turbo, S65 AMG, S550 4-Matic, and S550 CGI 4-Matic and S400 Hybrid vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2011, through July 30, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)." The tire pressure monitoring system indicators may only illuminate for a portion of the time required by the standard and under certain conditions may not re-illuminate immediately after the vehicle is restarted as required.

    Risk: If all four wheel sensors in the subject vehicles are simultaneously malfunctioning or missing, the TPMS will provide an initial warning, but this warning will not automatically repeat on subsequent ignition cycles, failing to remind the driver that the system is offline. Driving unknowingly with incorrectly inflated tires may result in sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mercedes Benz will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring unit, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

2011 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.

2011 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
2013Best07018.5

All Mercedes-Benz S550 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 reliable?
Compared to other S550 model years, 2011 is rated 'Good,' with a Complaint Index of 29 and rank 6 out of 8 years tracked. It has fewer complaints (9) than several later years like 2014 and 2015.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 S550?
Electrical System, Engine, and Fuel System issues each account for 22% of complaints. Suspension, Structure & Body, and Collision Avoidance/Cameras issues make up the rest at 11% each.
Does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for 2011: one for the fuel system (fuel filter replacement, campaign 12V557000) and one for suspension/TPMS reprogramming (campaign 11V493000).
Should I avoid the 2011 S550?
No. Among S550 model years, 2011 is not an 'Avoid' year. Years like 2014 (Complaint Index 86) and 2015 (Complaint Index 100) rank worse.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 S550?
EPA rates the 2011 S550 at 17.5 mpg combined (14.5 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,575.

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.