2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems
NHTSA has received 25 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550, and 16% of them involve electrical system. After that come tires (16%) and fuel system (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 25 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 70,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 21 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 70,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Mercedes-Benz S550 with enough data (8 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz s550. The contact stated that while stopped, the vehicle was suddenly rear-ended causing the vehicle's driver and passenger front seat head rest air bags to deploy. The contact stated that he sustained broken bones in his neck as well as injuries to his left elbow and back area. The front passenger received injuries to his neck and back area and was transported the hospital by ambulance while the driver drove his vehicle to the hospital. A police report was filed.
I have 2008 mercedes s550. The car suddenly started making noise in the front and I called dealership. They told me the brakes are gone and even rotors are damaged. I had no indication all this time I was driving that the car had no brakes as no brakelights came on. Till the time I went to dealership no indication came as sensors are not working. Is it not unsafe to be driving on the highway 60 to 70 miles /hr with no break sensors .
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz s550. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle lowered, indicating that there was suspension failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 09/01/15 updated 12/7/2015
My vehicle has a strong gas odor while driving but particularly when the vehicle is static or parked. This smell is so strong that I cannot sit in the car and my clothes reak of the smell. There has not been any external gas leakage or performance issues with the car. Only the gas ordor that has given me a headache and makes me nauseated. The car only has 70,000 miles on it.