MERCEDES-BENZ E550 · model year

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550

18 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008MERCEDES-BENZE550 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 E550 is fuel/propulsion system with 5 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (3) and wheels (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2008 E550. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

18
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
WHEELS2
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20250207VISIBILITY/WIPER

The panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. Will not open back up.

20250207UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. Will not open back up.

20250123FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it’s filled. This creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. Unfortunately, Mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee.

20240503FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and I discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... I cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel Vapors and I'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. The Mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for free and I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be rectified before someone dies in an explosion... no warning lights showed up but it is a common problem on the E-Class due to a cracked fuel filter housing module.

20220115SERVICE BRAKES

In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 was excluded. The symptoms and parts diagnosed match the warranty 100%.

20220115VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 was excluded. The symptoms and parts diagnosed match the warranty 100%.

20210108VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH HAVEN (620 WASHINGTON AVE, NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473, (203) 239-1313) WHERE THE SUN ROOF WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE VIN HOWEVER, SHE WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,018. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2008 ##

Mileage: 115,018

20190930FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF AUSTIN (6757 AIRPORT BLVD, AUSTIN, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVELING SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 160,000

20170103FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE A FUEL LEAK.

20150105FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

RELATED TO CASE# EA13003 I RECENTLY PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 E550 WITH 59K MILES IN DECEMBER 2014. AFTER FILL-UP, I NOTICED A FAINT FUEL SMELL ON THE DRIVERS REAR AREA NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE ALSO OPENED UP THE ACCESS HATCH AND NOTICED FUEL SEEPING FROM THE SENDING UNIT. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT ISSUES I HAVE SEEN IN REGARDS TO CASE #EA13003. THIS SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE TANK LEVEL GOES BELOW 3/4. *TR

Mileage: 60,213

20141223SUSPENSION

JUST PURCHASED THIS 2008 E550 WITH 100K MILES ON IT. IT WAS INSPECTED AND SAID TO BE A GREAT MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME STOP CAR TOO LOW. CAR WAS IN SPORT MODE WITH THE VEHICLE RAISED BUTTON INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, AS IT SAT FOR AN APPROXIMATE 1 HOUR I NOTICED IT DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON TOO SEE IF IT WOULD RAISE AGAIN AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS STILL WORKING BUT NO MOVEMENT WAS HAPPENING. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I JUST SPENT 20K ON A VEHICLE THAT LASTED ME 7 DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE FIX COULD COST ME A FEW THOUSAND DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR ALL OWNERS OF THE AIRMATIC SYSTEMS. THEY ARE FAULTY AND ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO BE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. GREAT VEHICLE WITH A HUGE FLAW.

Mileage: 112,018

20131205FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20131203FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GAS SMELL INSIDE OF THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 67,174

20131021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MOST OF THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. THE REASON IS THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE STARTED SMELLING "GAS" FUMES IN OUR GARAGE FROM OUR CAR. MY DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE STARTED PARKING OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER STARTED GETTING SICK SHE SAID FROM THE GAS FUMES. IT IS NOW VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MERCEDES E550 IS LEAKING FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH FROM AN EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT AND FROM A DAY TO DAY HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MANY BEDROOMS ARE ABOVE THE GARAGE LIKE WITH MY FAMILY. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT ASAP FROM NHTSA BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

20111210POWER TRAIN

THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A RECALL AND SEE IF CUSTOMER'S GET EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

20111210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A RECALL AND SEE IF CUSTOMER'S GET EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

20111114WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIRE BLOWOUTS DUE TO DRIVING OVER ROAD IRREGULARITIES. THE FAILURES WERE EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE EQUIPPED WITH LOW PROFILE RIMS. THE BLOWN OUT TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 5

20090920WHEELS

2008 MERCEDES E550 RIM PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TWO FRONT TIRE BLOWOUTS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM HITTING SMALL POT HOLE. THE RIM GETS BENT THEN THE TIRE BLOWS OUT. THE LATEST INCIDENT, A POLICE OFFICER AND I WATCHED MANY VEHICLES DRIVING OVER THE POT HOLE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE RIMS ARE THE 12 SPOKE THAT COMES STOCK ON THE E550'S. *TR

Mileage: 14,441

Compare 2008MERCEDES-BENZE550 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 have?
The 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550?
The most-complained component for the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and WHEELS.
Is the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.