Total Complaints
9 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ S55 · model year
2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55
9 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003MERCEDES-BENZS55 carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 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 2003 S55 is suspension with 2 filings, followed by power train (2) and electrical system (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 2003 S55. 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.
9
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20160428FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
20141125ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE GETTING STUCK IN "PARK" AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES (SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF 30 MINUTES) IT WILL RELEASE ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, ONCE AFTER GETTING IT TO SHIFT GEARS I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOME AND PUT IT IN PARK AT THE STOP SIGN (PRIOR TO TAKING A TRIP FAR AWAY FROM HOME) IT BECAME STUCK AGAIN (OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC) AND IT TOOK ME OVER 30 MINUTES (AGAIN) TO GET IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, I DROVE BACK HOME! THE PSE PUMP THAT OPERATES THE TRUNK FAILED AND THE TRUNK AUTO RELEASES AND BECAUSE IT WORKS BY HYDRAULICS IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN (AND HOLD UP) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. THE SUPERCHARGER BEARING WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED IT TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $14,000 HAVING REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'VE ONLY OWNED IT FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS. THIS IS MAKING MY "DREAM CAR" DREAM A TOT
Mileage: 100,000
20141125POWER TRAIN
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE GETTING STUCK IN "PARK" AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES (SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF 30 MINUTES) IT WILL RELEASE ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, ONCE AFTER GETTING IT TO SHIFT GEARS I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOME AND PUT IT IN PARK AT THE STOP SIGN (PRIOR TO TAKING A TRIP FAR AWAY FROM HOME) IT BECAME STUCK AGAIN (OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC) AND IT TOOK ME OVER 30 MINUTES (AGAIN) TO GET IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, I DROVE BACK HOME! THE PSE PUMP THAT OPERATES THE TRUNK FAILED AND THE TRUNK AUTO RELEASES AND BECAUSE IT WORKS BY HYDRAULICS IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN (AND HOLD UP) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. THE SUPERCHARGER BEARING WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED IT TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $14,000 HAVING REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'VE ONLY OWNED IT FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS. THIS IS MAKING MY "DREAM CAR" DREAM A TOT
Mileage: 100,000
20141125SUSPENSION
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE GETTING STUCK IN "PARK" AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES (SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF 30 MINUTES) IT WILL RELEASE ALLOWING ME TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, ONCE AFTER GETTING IT TO SHIFT GEARS I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOME AND PUT IT IN PARK AT THE STOP SIGN (PRIOR TO TAKING A TRIP FAR AWAY FROM HOME) IT BECAME STUCK AGAIN (OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC) AND IT TOOK ME OVER 30 MINUTES (AGAIN) TO GET IT TO SHIFT AGAIN, I DROVE BACK HOME! THE PSE PUMP THAT OPERATES THE TRUNK FAILED AND THE TRUNK AUTO RELEASES AND BECAUSE IT WORKS BY HYDRAULICS IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN (AND HOLD UP) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. THE SUPERCHARGER BEARING WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED IT TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING AND I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $14,000 HAVING REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'VE ONLY OWNED IT FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS. THIS IS MAKING MY "DREAM CAR" DREAM A TOT
Mileage: 100,000
20140511POWER TRAIN
WHEN I START S55 AMG AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT, I FIND DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM P TO R; AFTER A FEW TRIES ONLY IT MOVES FROM PARK POSITION TO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR AFTER DRIVING, UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR THINKING I'LL GET STUCK WITH THIS GEAR LEVER MOVING PROBLEM, OR SOME UNFORESEEN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT GEAR GETTING STUCK. ON GOOGLE SEARCH, I READ SEVERAL MERCEDES OWNERS COMPLAINING ON THIS MATTER, STUCK-PARK-PROBLEM. FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARD REQUIRES YOU TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF PARK. IT IS PROBABLY LEFT OVER FROM THE AUDI "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" DAYS, BUT IT IS HERE IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. ADDING TO THE COMPLICATION IS THE FACT THAT THE SHIFTER IS SUPPOSED TO REMAIN LOCKED IN PARK UNLESS THE PROPER KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING MY CAR OUT OF PARK FROM TIME. ACCORDING TO GOOGLE SEARCH THIS HAPPENS DUE TO A CHEAP PLASTIC BRACKET INSTALLED BY MERCEDES TO L
Mileage: 69,400
20140511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I START S55 AMG AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT, I FIND DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM P TO R; AFTER A FEW TRIES ONLY IT MOVES FROM PARK POSITION TO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR AFTER DRIVING, UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR THINKING I'LL GET STUCK WITH THIS GEAR LEVER MOVING PROBLEM, OR SOME UNFORESEEN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT GEAR GETTING STUCK. ON GOOGLE SEARCH, I READ SEVERAL MERCEDES OWNERS COMPLAINING ON THIS MATTER, STUCK-PARK-PROBLEM. FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARD REQUIRES YOU TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF PARK. IT IS PROBABLY LEFT OVER FROM THE AUDI "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" DAYS, BUT IT IS HERE IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. ADDING TO THE COMPLICATION IS THE FACT THAT THE SHIFTER IS SUPPOSED TO REMAIN LOCKED IN PARK UNLESS THE PROPER KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING MY CAR OUT OF PARK FROM TIME. ACCORDING TO GOOGLE SEARCH THIS HAPPENS DUE TO A CHEAP PLASTIC BRACKET INSTALLED BY MERCEDES TO L
Mileage: 69,400
20130425STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK AUTOMATIC PUSH BUTTON FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO CLOSE ON INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WOULD DROP NUMEROUS TIMES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT PART THE DEALER REPLACED FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 50,000
20130425SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK AUTOMATIC PUSH BUTTON FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO CLOSE ON INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WOULD DROP NUMEROUS TIMES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT PART THE DEALER REPLACED FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 50,000
20130425SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK AUTOMATIC PUSH BUTTON FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO CLOSE ON INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WOULD DROP NUMEROUS TIMES, CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT PART THE DEALER REPLACED FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 50,000
Compare 2003MERCEDES-BENZS55 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55 have?▼
The 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55 has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55 is SUSPENSION with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S55 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.