2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 has 15 complaints, 5 recalls, and a complaint index of 57, ranking 4th worst out of 8 model years. NHTSA gives it a Caution verdict, better than the 2014 and 2015 Avoid years but worse than 2011-2013.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 S550 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Panoramic sunroofs developed sudden cracks or shattered without any outside impact.
- Windshields cracked repeatedly from small stone strikes, described by one owner as happening for a third time.
- Run-flat tires (Goodyear and Pirelli sizes on the car) blew out or lost air suddenly, in one case after hitting a pothole.
- Front passenger seat belt buckles failed to latch, and a rear seat belt would not retract.
- Catalytic converters were reported as defective, triggering warning lights and a bad odor.
- Power steering failed and the steering wheel seized while driving, with the warning light illuminating first.
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?
- NHTSA data shows 15 complaints and a complaint index of 57 for the 2016 S550, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 4th worst among the 8 model years with data, better than 2014 and 2015 but behind 2011-2013.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 S550?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 20% of reports, mostly involving sunroof and panel issues, followed by seat belt problems and suspension/tire complaints at 13% each.
- Does the 2016 S550 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 S550, covering the front roof panel, seat belt control software, and headlight adjustment, among others. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 S550 compare to other years?
- The 2016 S550 has a complaint index of 57, worse than 2011 (29), 2012 (14), and 2013 (0), but much better than 2014 (86) and 2015 (100), which are rated Avoid.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2016 S550?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 57,227.5 miles, though individual problem areas like Structure & Body show a median of 51,177.5 miles.