2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
71/100
#3 most-complained of 8 S550 years
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 has a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 3rd worst out of 8 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict. It has 15 complaints, 5 recalls, and no reported crashes, fires, or deaths.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 26 hwy
Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other6 (40%)
- Structure & Body3 (20%)
- Seat Belts2 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (13%)
- Electrical System1 (7%)
- Engine1 (7%)
- Steering1 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)
What owners report
- Panoramic sunroof developed a diagonal crack overnight, with the dealer calling it a 'stress crack' not covered under warranty.
- Windshield cracked from small stone impacts multiple times, which the owner considered unusually frequent.
- Front passenger seat belt buckle failed to latch after the belt was inserted, requiring dealer replacement.
- Rear seat belt became stuck and would not retract despite light use, at 65,000 miles.
- Run-flat tires blew out or split open over potholes or with no visible road hazard, on both front and rear positions.
- Power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized while driving, at 56,000 miles.
2016 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.
2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 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.
2016 compared with other S550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016 S550 shows a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst among 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other S550 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 S550?
- Structure & Body issues lead with 20% of complaints, including sunroof cracking, followed by Seat Belts and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 13% each, per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2016 S550 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 S550, covering Structure & Body, Seat Belts, and Electrical System, none classified as do-not-drive.
- Is the 2016 S550 better or worse than other years?
- The 2016 model (Complaint Index 71) is worse than 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2017, but better than 2014 and 2015, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 86 and 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 S550?
- EPA rates the 2016 S550 at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.