2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 Complaints

The instrument cluster on my 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 (W221) is locked by a persistent red “Battery Not Charged” warning message. This message appears even though the charging system is working correctly (normal charging voltage, new battery, and new battery sensor installed). Because the cluster is locked, I can no longer: • View or reset tire pressure (TPMS) • Access the digital speed display • Adjust or enable certain lighting functions, including daytime running lights • Adjust seatbelt settings • Turn the blind spot monitor on or off • Control PRE-SAFE braking / related safety systems • Use other instrument cluster menus and driver information displays The problem began after a low-voltage event (battery went dead and the car only partially cranked). Clearing fault codes does not permanently resolve it — the message returns immediately. This is a known software issue on facelift W221 models that requires an instrument cluster software update and SCN coding to fix. The locked cluster prevents access to required safety information and multiple safety-related vehicle functions. The vehicle and components are available for inspection.

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact noticed that the air suspension had collapsed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,879.

My driver side Rear seat underneath is leaking gasoline. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V557000

I am filing a complaint with your agency regarding a fuel pump malfunction with my 2011 Mercedes S550 (VIN# [XXX]), because I feel that the incident below is a major safety concern and is similarly situated to the following NHTSA Campaign #12V557000. On March 15, 2022, I was pumping gas into my vehicle at Costco in Brookhaven, Georgia. The gas attendant and I were chatting about gas prices and so forth. In 10-to-15 minutes Costco's members that were getting gas, were attempting to alert us that an ocean ($88.00) of fuel was rapidly spewing out the opposite side (driver side) of the vehicle's fuel tank. On March 16, 2022, I had the vehicle towed to RBM of Atlanta in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Later that afternoon, [XXX], the service advisor advised me that the vehicle's fuel tank will need to be replace. I agreed to the repair. However, I asked the advisor to send me photos of the malfunctioned part, as well as, an itemized Repair invoice. I have yet to receive either. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

IABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. IT HAD A WARNING MESSAGE 'SERVICES REQUIRED. DO NOT SHIFT THE GEAR'. WE TOWED OUR CAR TO THE DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THE BACKSEAT FLOOD HAD STANDING WATER! THIS CAUSED THE ELECTRONIC SHORTAGE. WE PAID OVER $2000 TO MAKE THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. IT LOOKS THAT THE RAIN GOT IN THROUGH DRIVER SIDE BACK WINDOW BECAUSE OF THE SEALING PROBLEMS. IT RAINED LAST NIGHT. I JUST LOOKED AT MY CAR. THE BACK FLOOR LIKES RIVER AGAIN. I AM UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN. NOW WE FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE RAIN WILL GET INTO THE CAR TO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS. WE ARE AFRAID THAT WE MAY BE TRAPPED IN A FLOOD IF WE DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN' WE CONTACTED THE DEALER LAST MONTH TO ASK THEM TO RECALL THIS CAR AND FIND THE REASON FOR THIS LEAKING. THEY TOLD US TO PAY ALL THE COSTS. WE DID NOT ACCEPT BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT! WE ARE SEEKING YOUR HELP TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS LEAKING MAY CAUSE MANY ELECTRIC PROBLEMS THAT HAS MAKE THIS CAR UNABLE TO DRIVE. I ATTACHED THE EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE DEALER IN CASE THAT YOU MAY NEED THEM. THANK YOU AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU SOON!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS LEADING TO THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HOUSE OF IMPORTS (6862 AUTO CENTER DR, BUENA PARK, CA 90621, (714) 627-5553) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OVER A MONTH AGO WHERE IT WAS STILL AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE MANGER WAS ASSIGNED. THE CONTACT SENT PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND FAILED PARTS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

SHIFTING LEVER IS UP FOR REVERSE, CENTER FOR PARK, DOWN FOR FORWARD. ALL OTHER TRANSMISSIONS YOU PUSH UP FOR PARK. AFTER DRIVING ALL OTHER CARS, EVEN PRIOR MERCEDES IF YOU EXIT THE CAR YOU PUSH THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO UP FOR PARK EVEN WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING YOU PUSH THE LEVER UP FOR PARK. THIS BECOMES A HABIT, A REFLEXIVE ACTION BUT IF YOU DO THIS IN THIS MERCEDES YOU GO INTO REVERSE. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IS I STARTED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AND FORGOT SOMETHING SO I HOPPED OUT WHILE REACHING FOR THE SHIFT LEVER AND PUSHED UP FOR PARK, BUT IT WASN'T PARK, IT WAS REVERSE AND MY CAR STARTED BACKWARD WITH ME ONLY PARTIALLY IN THE CAR. I BARELY MADE IT BACK IN BEFORE I WIPED OUT MY DRIVERS DOOR ON THE GARAGE WALL AS THE CAR EXITED THE GARAGE. I CAME WITHIN A WHISPER OF GETTING SMASHED BETWEEN THE CAR DOOR AND THE GARAGE. DAMAGE, ABOUT $7,000 BUT I AVOIDED GETTING KILLED. NOW, YOU MAY SAY THAT IT IS MY FAULT FOR NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY BUT WHY WOULD MERCEDES GO AWAY FROM WHAT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS? MUCH OF DRIVING IS DOING WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED TO DO, MUCH OF IT IS REFLEXIVE AND THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN DESIGN FOR SAFETY. I WROTE TO MERCEDES ABOUT THIS AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ASKED THEM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY REPAIR BUT I DON'T EXPECT THEY WILL COMPLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 110 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GPS PROVIDED INCORRECT INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I HAVE 20 INCH WHEELS ON THE CAR AND IN THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD THREE WHEELS CRACK. TO DATE NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BUT I AM AFRAID OF A CATASTROPHIC WHEEL FAILURE AT 75 MILES PER HOUR