There are no safety recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550, but owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA.
2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | |
| Tires | 4 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | |
| Power Train | 2 | |
| Suspension | 2 | |
| Engine | 2 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | |
| Equipment | 1 | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
| Wheels | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · reported May 7, 2025
Iâm reporting a serious safety issue with the balance shaft sprocket in my Mercedes-Benz S550 (M273 engine, 273.968). This is a known defect that causes the sprocket to wear out far too early due to poor material design. When it wears, it throws off the engine timing, leading to check engine lights, rough idling, reduced power, and even stalling. In some cases, the engine can shut down while driving, which is a major safety risk. Thousands of people have experienced this exact problem, and itâs all over Mercedes forums, Reddit, and technical bulletins. Mercedes quietly updated the part in…
Electrical System · at 40,000 miles · reported Mar 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering intermittently. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was causing an engine misfire. The mechanic related the failure to an unknown recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…
Tires · reported Sep 28, 2023
We were traveling home and our TPMS indicated a tire failure. The PSI starting dropping rapidly. We took the tire off and found that only 4 " of rubber holding the back sidewall together on the tire. I then inspected the other tires on the car (which were purchased and installed at the same time) are showing signs of failure as well. All of the tires are 255-40-r19 We had a family of 4 in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Power Train · at 176,310 miles · reported Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the message "SAFETY" was temporarily displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle on several occasions, the message " SAFETY " was displayed on the infotainment system screen. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the messages "Active Head Lamp Inoperative" and "Service Required. Do Not Shift Gears" were displayed. The contact also stated that upon shifting into drive (D), the gear shift indicator displayed that the transmission was in park…
Electrical System · at 69,000 miles · reported Jan 1, 2020
Even change to new tires, the air pressure up to 37 and always after 1 week or so, down to 33, complain and change tire and still have the same result. You could only check the tire pressure after you run for a while. Massage chair, after operation and all the sudden it stop. Clock in the cabin doesn't change even you set it up and the internal said the right time and the front doesn't change
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550 as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S550?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (4 reports), followed by tires (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 miles.
Are Mercedes-Benz recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.