AI DamageMercedes-Benz AMG C55: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz AMG C55 across 2 model years: 9 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 56% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 22% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 5 complaints (56% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (22% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I am very concerned that the air bag release mechanism; of my car a 2005 mercedes benz c55 amg, is defective. I was involved in 2 accidents, 1st a right frontal with severe damage needing $26,000 in repairs, and the 2nd a left frontal that caused so much damage that my insurer may total the vehicle.
Airbags for c-55 amg failed to deploy during two separate high-impact frontal impacts (during which the car was nearly totaled each time) the consumers father was severely injured in the 2nd car accident.
Very strong fuel odor inside cabin of vehicle while driving. Odor is very strong around drivers rear wheel and from the outside once parked. Smell of fuel is very strong at times while driving but seems to dissipate when driving at a faster speed I.e. On highway over 45mph.
Vehicle exhibiting same characteristics of fuel leak from gas tank as other vehicle models involved in nhtsa investigation ea13-003. Strong fuel odor originating from left rear section of the vehicle behind left rear wheel after fill-up.
Started vehicle and when in motion, I turned the steering wheel, the vehicle shuddered and made a loud grinding noise. Checked steering fluid, and it was below the minimum fluid level. Refilled steering fluid reservoir to proper levels and vehicle no longer made any noises or struggled to turn the steering wheel.
Check engine light periodically turns on with code p0171 usually a month in between dating back to 2015. Coinciding with the fuel smell. Inspected gas cap/filler tube for leaks as precaution but found no leak.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.