MERCEDES-BENZ E550 · model year

2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550

78 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010MERCEDES-BENZE550 carries 78 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, 0 injuries, 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 2010 E550 is air bags with 30 filings, followed by suspension (27) and structure:body (3). 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 2010 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.

78
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

78 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
AIR BAGS30
SUSPENSION27
STRUCTURE:BODY3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
STEERING2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
VISIBILITY1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE1
SERVICE BRAKES1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20240903ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE MAIN FUSE BOX CHART.

20230224SUSPENSION

There is an ongoing issue with the front and rear air shocks. They don't inflate properly. Sometimes they inflate and sometimes they don't. This is a risk because my suspension system is not stable. The problem has been confirmed by Astorg Mercedes-Benz. Yes, the problem has been inspected by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. There was no indication beit warning lamps, messages, etc., before the issue happened.

20221213STRUCTURE:BODY

The subframe on the back of the car starts to rust and potentially just breaks without warning which can cause loss of control of vehicle. This is an ongoing issue for all w212 Mercedes models.

20220914STRUCTURE:BODY

Rear control arm attachment to subframe snapped off at the weld during breaking

20220914SUSPENSION

Rear control arm attachment to subframe snapped off at the weld during breaking

20220902ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car has this issue that when I am slowing down it will automatically shift to park and will not let me shift to drive until I turn the car off and on. When rolling to a stop, I've had a few instances where the car shifts to park and the car behind me almost hits me due to the car shifting on its own and not allowing me to proceed with the flow of traffic. This puts not only me, but the person behind me at risk. I took the car to a mechanic and he stated that there was no recall for this issue but that I should contact you (NHTSA). The mechanic stated that the component that might be failing is the electrical ignition switch, basically telling the car that there is no key in the ignition. There are no warning lights or any other indication. This has happened to me a multiple times. When this happens, since I am not at a complete stop, it shifts to park and grinds my transmission. This causes the car to abruptly stop without having my foot on the brake to warn the drivers behind me.

20220902UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car has this issue that when I am slowing down it will automatically shift to park and will not let me shift to drive until I turn the car off and on. When rolling to a stop, I've had a few instances where the car shifts to park and the car behind me almost hits me due to the car shifting on its own and not allowing me to proceed with the flow of traffic. This puts not only me, but the person behind me at risk. I took the car to a mechanic and he stated that there was no recall for this issue but that I should contact you (NHTSA). The mechanic stated that the component that might be failing is the electrical ignition switch, basically telling the car that there is no key in the ignition. There are no warning lights or any other indication. This has happened to me a multiple times. When this happens, since I am not at a complete stop, it shifts to park and grinds my transmission. This causes the car to abruptly stop without having my foot on the brake to warn the drivers behind me.

20220803STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-550. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the rear subframe fractured. The contact went across the highway but was able to regain control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 149,200.

Mileage: 149,200

20220223SUSPENSION

Driving Home Late Going 75 mph in Michigan when hitting brakes the car became unstable felt like it wanted to spin out of control. Hitting brakes at speeds above 30mph made car want to spin out of control.. Took car to MB dealer. Told them car was unsafe to drive and almost killed self hitting brakes.They test drove car and confirmed issue. MB mechanic put car on lift found the left control arm trailing arm bracket welds had rust of the rear suspension cross member subframe!! This has rendered car unsafe and Unoperational !! NHTSA needs to get involved force recall ! We are lucky to be alive!

20211006SUSPENSION

Rear K Frame front part has completely rusted out. Mount ripped trail arm. Both rear tires were ready to shoot off. This was confirmed by a mechanic when the car was being serviced after the check engine light came on one day before taking it to be serviced. The car is not drivable. It only has 60,000 miles on it. It was always serviced at the Mercedes dealers. It appears as a defective part.

20210406ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE SLAMS ITSELF INTO PARK WHEN MOVING UNDER 5MPH. THIS MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE ABOUT 75-80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

Mileage: 125,000

20210225AIR BAGS

BOUGHT THE CAR TWO DAYS AGO THE THE AIR RIDE START LEAKING

20210107SUSPENSION

THE CARS AIR SUSPENSION HAS GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING ITS SAGGING TO FENDERS. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 87,000

20201006POWER TRAIN

AT 80MPH, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER AND A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ON ITS OWN POWER. TEARDOWN SHOWED A COMPLETELY DESTROYED FRONT DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT, DAMAGE TO HEAT SHIELDING, DAMAGE TO OXYGEN SENSORS, DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALONG WITH SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE TO THE BELLHOUSING AND MISSING BRACKETS. FAILURE IS SUSPECTED TO THE GEOMETRY OF THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT, WHICH CONNECTS AT AN ANGLE FROM THE TRANSFER CASE TO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ON 4MATIC-EQUIPPED VEHICLES. THIS INTRODUCES ADDITIONAL STRESS TO THE U-JOINT, MAKING IT PRONE TO FAILURE.

Mileage: 134,000

20200720AIR BAGS

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FREQUENTLY DROPS LOW TO THE GROUND WITH ERROR MESSAGE "VEHICLE TOO LOW". VEHICLE LOSES AIR SUSPENSION ABILITY TO DRIVE IN LOWERED POSITION.

Mileage: 116,000

20200720SUSPENSION

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FREQUENTLY DROPS LOW TO THE GROUND WITH ERROR MESSAGE "VEHICLE TOO LOW". VEHICLE LOSES AIR SUSPENSION ABILITY TO DRIVE IN LOWERED POSITION.

Mileage: 116,000

20191209AIR BAGS

FAULTY FRONT AIR SUSPENSION LEAKS AIR

Mileage: 119,500

20191209SUSPENSION

FAULTY FRONT AIR SUSPENSION LEAKS AIR

Mileage: 119,500

20191121SUSPENSION

CAR WAS BOUGHT IN 2017 WITH 100,000 MILES,EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD, NO SPECIAL ACTIVITY WITH THE CAR , NO LONG RIDES, JUST INSIDE THE CITY WHEN IT REACHED $120,000 MILES THE TWO REAR AIR SUSPENSION JUST BROKE DOWN FOR NO REASON, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOW A YEAR AFTER THE 2 FRONT ONE JUST WENT DOWN FOR NO REASON, VERY BAD SURPRISES WHILE IN THE HIGHWAY FROM AIRPORT HOME THE CAR FELL DOWN THE RED LIGHT TO PULL OVER CAME UP AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE WAY, SINCE THE TIRES AND WHEELS COULDN'T TURN NO WHERE SINCE THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR JUST FELL DOWN SO BAD, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION

Mileage: 15

20190828AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SCOTTSDALE (4725 N SCOTTSDALE RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251, (480) 409-0409) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Compare 2010MERCEDES-BENZE550 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 have?
The 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 has 78 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550?
The most-complained component for the 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 is AIR BAGS with 30 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2010 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.