Model year record

2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 recalls & problems

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 has 3 safety recalls and 61 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (32 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints61filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 9, 2019

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 19V010000288,779 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air bagsMay 26, 2016

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 16V363000258,163 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Air bagsFeb 11, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V081000711,159 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

E550 Coupe

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

E550

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

E550 4matic

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

E550 Convertible

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bags	32	1	0	1	37,750 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Air suspension system	20	1	0	0	77,000 mi
Unknown or other	3	0	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	0	—
Engine	2	0	1	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	0	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	1	0	0	—
StructureBody	1	0	0	0	—
Power train	1	0	0	0	—
Lane departureBlind spot detection	1	0	0	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
Wood trim throughout the car is cracking and falling off the car on the dash board as well as the doors and the rear side panels. The trim pieces that remain on the car are very sharp and jagged and are a significant risk for cuts in day to day use. In the event of an accident a passenger could be seriously injured from this jagged wood . My car is a 2011 E550 convertible, the W207 platform, the very same car in 4 door form the W212 platform, from model year 2010-2016 is fully covered for wood replacement as NHTSA has deemed it a safety issue. I have been told by Mercedes Benz corporate there is no coverage for my car, they suggested I report this safety issue to NHTSA in the hopes of…
Apr 1, 2024
Suspension
The vehicle felt like it was all over the road at highway speeds. Took it to a mechanic and the rear subframe had become weakened with premature rust. The mounting point for one of the rear suspension arms had broken off of the subframe and was making contact with my gas tank. I called the dealer to see if there were any recalls. No recalls for this issue however there are a few reports on this website. I have also been on forums for my vehicle and it is a VERY common problem on these vehicles. From what i gather this is a widespread issue, and the fact that it could possibly puncture a gas tank and cause serious injury that something should be done to correct the concern.
Jan 3, 2023
Electrical systemFire
The issue with the vehicle's electrical causing power to the starter to stay on even after the vehicle is in the park and turned off, the starter's Solenoid and other electrical parts burn, its a serious fire hazard and needs to be addressed immediately.
Nov 15, 2022
Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension system
When I parked my car there was a loud hissing sound near left front end but no smoke or anything from under the hood. When I drove it again I received a warning of (MALFUNCTION) when I was turning left the front left tire was grinding on the actual car and barely made it home. The car warning turned red and said pull over car too low. When I parked the car the front left side is now sitting on tire and touching the ground. Unable to drive. Not been investigated by a mechanic, insurance, etc. There was also an airbag warning before this issue. The contact has stated that she is disabled, and the vehicle is not currently drivable.
Nov 14, 2022
Unknown or other
The passenger door will not open from the inside. The vehicle has not been inspected by any parties yet. No warning messages are currently displayed.
Sep 6, 2022
Suspension
The air suspension started leaning heavily on one side after being parked for 12+ hours. And 2 days ago, while warming up the car, air suspension did not stop pumping air until front right air strut blew up. It was really loud and unexpected, I was lucky the car was not driven when the explosion happened. Checking through forums, most people who own W212 E-Class with airmatic suspension have issues with car lowering over night. This is a big Safety concern that might lead to blow out of the strut(or multiple)
Jun 12, 2022
Power train
Transmission cooler which i manufactured inside the radiator failed causing transmission fluid to mix with anti-freeze/coolant, now the transmission slips and per recommendation from a mercedes dealership the vehicle needs a new transmission, torque converter, radiator, radiator cap, new upper and lower radiator hoses, new upper and lower radiator overflow hoses, new thermostat and the entire cooling system to be flushed and the transmission lines to be flushed, estimated at $11,200 for the repair
Nov 4, 2021
Structure › Body
THE SUN ROOF MAKES A LOUD CRACKING NOISE WHEN YOU HIT CERTAIN BUMPS OR DIPS IN THE ROAD. IT DOES IT MORE WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT CERTAIN MODELS YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THIS CAR DEFINITELY HAS A SUNROOF ISSUE AND ITS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED IT ABOUT A YEAR AGO
Sep 20, 2019 · 132,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
Rear brake line failureClosed
On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had severely rusted brake lines that need[ed] to be replaced immediately at a cost of about $3300. He further stated that the dealer service advisor informed him that he had seen the issue on many cars like his. The petitioner requested ?that NHTSA launch an investigation into this serious issue of rusting brake lines on [his] 2013 Mercedes E350.? The brake line corrosion reported by the petitioner did not result in brake line leakage or any compromise in brake system performance before it was detected in a dealer vehicle inspection. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA…
DP20004 · opened Apr 24, 2020 · closed Oct 9, 2020