AI Damage2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Hybrid filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electronic stability control. The maker issued 83 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 83
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 100% of all complaints
- 2 Electronic stability control 100% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 100% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (100% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (100% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Wheel speed sensor failure reoccurring constantly on vehicle, others seem to have same issue. Reoccurs due to part failure I would suggest. Causes dangerous conditions with abs and traction control failure.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 24,719 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 33% least complained about).
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and…
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration…
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering…
- Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally
Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so…
- Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available"
Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio 8.Traffic Cams Cause MB Apps is sundowned for all vehicles with…
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
It will also ensure that if a case is necessary, all supporting documentation is available. This should not be used on its own as justification for creating a TIPS case. Cause The root cause will vary depending on the…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the…
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed,…
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
- Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD…
Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following…
NHTSA lists 83 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electronic stability control, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 1.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 83 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Hybrid 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 2016 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 2026-11-06.