YearToAvoid

2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

14/100

#7 most-complained of 8 S550 years

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

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 ranks 7th of 8 model years with a complaint index of 14 and a "Best" verdict. It has 5 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 fire report, with the top problem area being the engine.

Complaints
5
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18.5
15 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems

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

  1. Engine3 (60%)
  2. Fuel System3 (60%)
  3. Electrical System1 (20%)
  4. Steering1 (20%)

What owners report

  • Owners report a fire starting near the passenger-side engine bay where the suspension air pump and electric hydraulic steering pump are stored, with the electric hydraulic steering pump overheating.
  • Owners describe a plastic oil-system plug that leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold, causing increased oil consumption, vapor in the engine bay, and a burned-oil smell.
  • Owners report smelling fuel near the rear of the vehicle while parked, later finding a fuel leak underneath tied to a recall campaign.
  • Owners describe a strong fuel odor inside the cabin traced to a film of fuel around the fuel sending unit under the rear seats.
2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2019Sep 2019Apr 2021Jun 2022Aug 2024
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2019 to Aug 2024; peak Aug 2024 (3).

2012 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.

2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
18.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,325
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.

2012 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
2014Avoid8624519.5

All Mercedes-Benz S550 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 S550 has a complaint index of 14, the second lowest among the 8 model years with data, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other S550 years.
What problems does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 have?
NHTSA lists 5 complaints for the 2012 S550, with the engine as the top problem area (60% share) and the fuel system also at 60% share. One fire was reported with no crashes or injuries.
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 S550: a fuel filter replacement (campaign 12V557000) and a tire pressure monitoring unit reprogramming (campaign 11V493000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2012 S550 compare to other S550 years?
The 2012 S550 ranks 7th worst out of 8 years, with a complaint index of 14 versus 100 for the worst year, 2015, and 0 for the best year, 2013.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S550?
The EPA rates the 2012 S550 at 18.5 mpg combined (15 city / 24.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $4,325.

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.