2014 Mercedes-Benz E550

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (45% of all complaints), specifically: in stop and go traffic approaching an intersection on a wet road, the can bus failed, disabling all or nearly all safety systems. at the time, numerous warning messages and lights appeared on the dash for srs, abs, seatbelt pretensioner, etc. the engine would not turn off using the start-stop butt. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

9 complaints

45%

• IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A WET ROAD, THE CAN BUS FAILED, DISABLING ALL OR NEARLY ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS. AT THE TIME, NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES AND LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH FOR SRS, ABS, SEATBELT PRETENSIONER, ETC. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF USING THE START-STOP BUTT
• PURSUANT TO LAW 49 U.S.C. CHAPTER 301, I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT THAT NHTSA RECALL #17V627 IS NOT BEING REMEDIED WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME BY MY MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE NOVEMBER 2017 RECALL WAS ISSUED AND AS OF TODAY (02.13.2019) THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550A. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN JOS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A WET ROAD, THE CAN BUS FAILED, DISABLING ALL OR NEARLY ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS. AT THE TIME, NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES AND LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH FOR SRS, ABS, SEATBELT PRETENSIONER, ETC. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF USING THE START-STOP BUTT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

3 complaints

15%

• IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A WET ROAD, THE CAN BUS FAILED, DISABLING ALL OR NEARLY ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS. AT THE TIME, NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES AND LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH FOR SRS, ABS, SEATBELT PRETENSIONER, ETC. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF USING THE START-STOP BUTT
• Parking brake pedal assembly failed. Yes it's available for inspection. My home is on a hill, a functioning parking brake is required to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Personal mechanic identified issue and replaced part. There were no warning lights or lamps indicating an issue.
• Dealer reports that, in addition to the dangerous corrosion on rear subframe covered by the extended warranty program, the rear brake lines are dangerously corroded and may fail at any time. I inquired about how this is even possible as I am accustomed to vehicles with cupronickel brake lines that d

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

10%

• STARTED IGNITION, IDLE FOR ABOUT 3 MINS WARMING UP THE ENGINE. PREPED TO LEAVE TO CURRENT DESIGNATION. REVERSE, PULLING OUT TO THE RIGHT I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, CAR SHUTS OFF, ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH. TURN OFF AND RESTARTED. AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN REVERSE REPEATIN
• I was driving in the Dallas area at highway speed (approx 70mph) during rush-hour traffic when a crackling sound presented in the dashboard area from what appeared to be the sound system (Harmon Kardon surround system). This was immediately followed by the unmistakable smell of burning plastic or so

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“STARTED IGNITION, IDLE FOR ABOUT 3 MINS WARMING UP THE ENGINE. PREPED TO LEAVE TO CURRENT DESIGNATION. REVERSE, PULLING OUT TO THE RIGHT I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, CAR SHUTS OFF, ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH. TURN OFF AND RESTARTED. AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN REVERSE REPEATIN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

10%

• MY VEHICLE HAS THE DISTRONIC WITH LANE SENSING. THE OTHER DAY, THE AREA OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AROUND THE CAMERAS SPONTANEOUSLY BEGAN TO CRACK IN A CIRCULAR MANNER. NO OTHER CHIPS OR DINGS WERE PRESENT. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I AM FINDING IT TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. IT APPEARS IT CA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPEAKER AND WINDOW BEGAN TO SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL RUBBER AND BURNING ODOR AND A CRACKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY VEHICLE HAS THE DISTRONIC WITH LANE SENSING. THE OTHER DAY, THE AREA OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AROUND THE CAMERAS SPONTANEOUSLY BEGAN TO CRACK IN A CIRCULAR MANNER. NO OTHER CHIPS OR DINGS WERE PRESENT. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I AM FINDING IT TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. IT APPEARS IT CA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints

• STARTED IGNITION, IDLE FOR ABOUT 3 MINS WARMING UP THE ENGINE. PREPED TO LEAVE TO CURRENT DESIGNATION. REVERSE, PULLING OUT TO THE RIGHT I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, CAR SHUTS OFF, ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH. TURN OFF AND RESTARTED. AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN REVERSE REPEATIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A WET ROAD, THE CAN BUS FAILED, DISABLING ALL OR NEARLY ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS. AT THE TIME, NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES AND LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH FOR SRS, ABS, SEATBELT PRETENSIONER, ETC. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF USING THE START-STOP BUTT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A WET ROAD, THE CAN BUS FAILED, DISABLING ALL OR NEARLY ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS. AT THE TIME, NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES AND LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH FOR SRS, ABS, SEATBELT PRETENSIONER, ETC. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF USING THE START-STOP BUTT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: STARTED IGNITION, IDLE FOR ABOUT 3 MINS WARMING UP THE ENGINE. PREPED TO LEAVE TO CURRENT DESIGNATION. REVERSE, PULLING OUT TO THE RIGHT I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, CAR SHUTS OFF, ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH. TURN OFF AND RESTARTED. AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN REVERSE REPEATIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: MY VEHICLE HAS THE DISTRONIC WITH LANE SENSING. THE OTHER DAY, THE AREA OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AROUND THE CAMERAS SPONTANEOUSLY BEGAN TO CRACK IN A CIRCULAR MANNER. NO OTHER CHIPS OR DINGS WERE PRESENT. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I AM FINDING IT TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. IT APPEARS IT CA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)