Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 3 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

3 total · 3 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 19V010000 · Jan 2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V043000 · Jan 2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V081000 · Feb 2016

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

67 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
3

Most reports here involve rollaway.

rollaway 1loss of steering 1transmission slipping 1
A recent report: THE VEHICLE SLAMS ITSELF INTO PARK WHEN MOVING UNDER 5MPH. THIS MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE ABOUT 75-80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11406755 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
2

Most reports here involve transmission slipping.

transmission slipping 1
A recent report: THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE MAIN FUSE BOX CHART.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11612340 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
2

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1premature wear 1
A recent report: I PROCURED THE VEHICLES 32,000 MILES AS A CPO. IT HAD NEW BRAKE ROTORS ON IT. OVER THE NEXT 75,000 MILES THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED 7 TIMES FOR WARPING AND DANGEROUSLY INCREASING STOPPING…
Read full complaint

I PROCURED THE VEHICLES 32,000 MILES AS A CPO. IT HAD NEW BRAKE ROTORS ON IT. OVER THE NEXT 75,000 MILES THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED 7 TIMES FOR WARPING AND DANGEROUSLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES. THIS APPARENTLY NOT UNUSUAL FOR THIS VEHICLE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11164072 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
27

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 4fluid leaks 4
A recent report: There is an ongoing issue with the front and rear air shocks. They don't inflate properly. Sometimes they inflate and sometimes they don't. This is a risk because my suspension system is not stable…
Read full complaint

There is an ongoing issue with the front and rear air shocks. They don't inflate properly. Sometimes they inflate and sometimes they don't. This is a risk because my suspension system is not stable. The problem has been confirmed by Astorg Mercedes-Benz. Yes, the problem has been inspected by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. There was no indication beit warning lamps, messages, etc., before the issue happened.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11508974 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
25

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE…
Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SCOTTSDALE (4725 N SCOTTSDALE RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251, (480) 409-0409) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11252012 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
5

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 2
A recent report: The subframe on the back of the car starts to rust and potentially just breaks without warning which can cause loss of control of vehicle. This is an ongoing issue for all w212 Mercedes models.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11497224 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 1
A recent report: AT 80MPH, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER AND A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ON ITS OWN POWER. TEARDOWN SHOWED A COMPLETELY DESTROYED FRONT DRIVESHAFT…
Read full complaint

AT 80MPH, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER AND A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ON ITS OWN POWER. TEARDOWN SHOWED A COMPLETELY DESTROYED FRONT DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT, DAMAGE TO HEAT SHIELDING, DAMAGE TO OXYGEN SENSORS, DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALONG WITH SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE TO THE BELLHOUSING AND MISSING BRACKETS. FAILURE IS SUSPECTED TO THE GEOMETRY OF THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT, WHICH CONNECTS AT AN ANGLE FROM THE TRANSFER CASE TO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ON 4MATIC-EQUIPPED VEHICLES. THIS INTRODUCES ADDITIONAL STRESS TO THE U-JOINT, MAKING IT PRONE TO FAILURE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11362961 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 67 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2024, roughly 5 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 67 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (61). That is the most of the 5 model years of the Mercedes Benz E550 we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.