2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
86/100
#2 most-complained of 8 S550 years
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 has a Complaint Index of 86, ranks 2nd worst of 8 model years, and carries an 'Avoid' verdict versus other S550 years. Owners logged 24 complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 crashes, with Suspension, Wheels & Tires as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other5 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (17%)
- Brakes3 (13%)
- Steering3 (13%)
- Airbags2 (8%)
- Electrical System2 (8%)
- Engine2 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (8%)
- Seat Belts2 (8%)
What owners report
- Run-flat tires reportedly blew out on the sidewall while driving at highway speeds, sometimes needing repeated tire replacements.
- Sunroofs reportedly shattered without warning while driving, in one case causing body damage to the hood and trunk.
- Headlights reportedly failed to illuminate the roadway, with the headlight assembly and control module diagnosed as needing replacement.
- Steering reportedly made a moaning noise when turning, traced to the steering coupling rubber bellows.
- Rear brake pads were reportedly installed incorrectly at the factory, causing uneven rotor wear.
- Frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a T-bone collision at a red light.
2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 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.
- NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 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.
- NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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.
2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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.
2014 compared with other S550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 reliable?
- Compared to other S550 model years, the 2014 ranks 2nd worst out of 8 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 86 and an 'Avoid' verdict. NHTSA lists 24 complaints and 5 recalls for this year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2014 S550?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 17% of complaints, tied with Visibility & Wipers also at 17%.
- Does the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2014 S550, covering steering control unit replacement, front seat belt anchor correction, structure & body panel issues, and an eCall software fault.
- How does the 2014 S550 compare to the 2015 S550?
- The 2015 S550 has a higher Complaint Index of 100 with 41 complaints and is also rated 'Avoid,' making it worse than the 2014, which has a Complaint Index of 86 and 24 complaints.
- What is the median mileage at failure for the 2014 S550?
- Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure is 30,750 miles.