BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 15. The most common issue is visibility problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: windshield was broken october 2016. replacement windshield made by ppg is defective and has a color reflective strip that in my line of sight. this car cannot be driven at night. they have put 4 ppg windshields in the car and all are bad. mercedes benz have determined that the glass made by pp. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 1 injury

7

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

VISIBILITY

2 complaints
29%
  • WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN OCTOBER 2016. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD MADE BY PPG IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS A COLOR REFLECTIVE STRIP THAT IN MY LINE OF SIGHT. THIS CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT. THEY HAVE PUT 4 PPG WINDSHIELDS IN THE CAR AND ALL ARE BAD. MERCEDES BENZ HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE GLASS MADE BY PP
  • THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN CHARLOTTE NC IN WINTER OF 2018. IN NOVEMBER OF 2019, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO CARS IN SITE, WE HEARD A LOUD POP. WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD BUT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE A
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN OCTOBER 2016. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD MADE BY PPG IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS A COLOR REFLECTIVE STRIP THAT IN MY LINE OF SIGHT. THIS CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT. THEY HAVE PUT 4 PPG WINDSHIELDS IN THE CAR AND ALL ARE BAD. MERCEDES BENZ HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE GLASS MADE BY PP

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

COMMUNICATION01/11/2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,527
Per month
$211
Per mile
21.1¢
MPG
19
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 155K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
4 yr / 50K mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2015 S550 4MATIC, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN OCTOBER 2016. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD MADE BY PPG IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS A COLOR REFLECTIVE STRIP THAT IN MY LINE OF SIGHT. THIS CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT. THEY HAVE PUT 4 PPG WINDSHIELDS IN THE CAR AND ALL ARE BAD. MERCEDES BENZ HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE GLASS MADE BY PP

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED FIRMLY, WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WOULD RELEASE THE PEDAL SLIGHTLY TO ALLOW THE CAR TO DRIFT FORWARD. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES THERE WERE NO BREAKS AND THE CAR DRIFTED INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF US. HAD CAR BA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SEATS/RESTRAINTS: BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 10 MONTHS THAT THE SEAT BELTS WILL BE REPLACED BY MB IN THIS CAR. MB DEALERS STATES THAT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN AND MB IS WORKING ON A FIX. IN THE MEANTIME THEY ARE REPLACING THE SEAT BELTS WITH A NEW PART, BUT THEY SAID IT MA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN CHARLOTTE NC IN WINTER OF 2018. IN NOVEMBER OF 2019, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO CARS IN SITE, WE HEARD A LOUD POP. WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD BUT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE A

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC — Year Comparison

How does 2015 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
7
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
15

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC