repaired · 2025 Q4
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2017 Mercedes-Benz S550Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550, most often about the steering. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-854 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 12, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 has problems
16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
3Steering
2Air bags
2Structure
2Visibility
2Visibility/wiper
1Seat belts
1Engine
1Electrical system
1Exterior lighting
22 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Body: roof and pillars
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…
repaired · 2023 Q3
Communication
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying…
repaired · 2023 Q4
Communication: auto crash notification
Risk. Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2021 Q1
Communication
Risk. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Doors: latch
Risk. If the door appears to be locked, the door may be unintentionally opened, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. If the power steering assist is unexpectedly disabled, it may increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk. If the front seat seatbelt pretensioners do not function properly, the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the…
repaired · 2018 Q1
Seat belts
Risk. In the event of a crash, if the seat belt extender does not retract and/or the extender breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing…
repaired · 2018 Q1
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. If the low-beam headlights are out of adjustment, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Best & worst years
2017 vs. every other S550 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S550 median. How we score
'07'08'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550, and the recalls they led to.
- Front Roof Panel DetachmentLed to recall 21V-197
In owners' words
What S550 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Steering wheel will move in and out, but has stopped moving up and down. The steering wheel is stuck in the UP position. This has caused me to readjust all my seat settings and has made it more difficult to see the dash.
Had my S550 into this dealership two (2) consecutive years for a power steering rack issue that ended up being related to rodent damage. The first time it happened the dealership replaced the wiring free of charge after discovering it, after initially telling me that the rack itself would have to…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOKEY MERCEDES-BENZ IN CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, BUT THE CAUSE…
Own a 2017 S550?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.