AI Damage2013 Mercedes-Benz S 550: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S 550 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and wheels. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 29% of all complaints
- 2 Wheels 29% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 14% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Wheels: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
A Retaliatory Action to cause personal harm. Believe original vin was placed on this car because of a complaint against medical doctors now under investigation. Took pictures and other proofs.
While driving 65 mph, the headlights dimmed without warning. The headlights did not provide enough illumination to drive safely. The contact also stated that water entered the headlight housings and created condensation.
Perhaps if the mechanics at fletcher jones mercedes benz in las vegas who serviced my car when I brought it in, would have bothered to look at what was done on previous visits, or if they would have maybe paid a bit more attention to my comment that 'it still smells like burning oil' , perhaps I could have avoided a…
Tires were constantly losing air; front end would vibrate at highway speeds & was constantly in the shop. Silverstar gave me 4 new tires to compensate me for my troubles & I have already lost 2 of them in a few months. One was damaged last friday doing 10 miles an hour on archer avenue in queens ny hitting a pot hole.
While making right-hand turn the steering wheel locked in a turned position and would not return to straight - locked episode lasted for 2-4 seconds. This happened 2x and I have left the car with a dealer and will not drive it again until all components in the steering are replaced.
Last month the tire was changed again and while the car was in the shop it developed another bubble on another tire. Now mbusa is saying there is no defect on the car, I am saying wheels and tires come with the car and they are part of the car and that that this car is lemon or defective, I do not feel safe to travel…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz s550. The contact stated that the rear passenger side of the vehicle was a half of a inch higher than the rear driver side. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The technician stated that the vehicle measured up to specifications.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the S 550 has 16 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S 550?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, wheels, electrical system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (29%), headlights and tail lights (14%), steering or power steering problems (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S 550?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Mercedes-Benz S 550 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
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 2026-11-05.