Purchased a certified preowned Mercedes benz s5550 4 matic. Complete steering failure occurred an hour after purchase (after 20 miles of driving). The car's steering wheel was spinning freely, and no control over the front wheels was possible while in motion. Vehicle had to be recovered by the dealer. *tr
2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class steering problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 6 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Mercedes-Benz S-Class we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 6.
Steering accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mercedes benz s550. The contact stated that the gear shift on the steering column fractured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was awaiting a diagnostic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,599. Updated 01/12/16*lj updated 04/18/18*jb *tr
My wife was driving this vehicle when suddenly the steering locked up and almost caused her to crash. We then took the vehicle to house of imports Mercedes in buena park to inspect the vehicle. Apparently the steering column was broken and they could not explain how it happen. I did some research and several other people have file a complaint and Mercedes denies the problem. This is a serious…
Airmatic Suspension sprung a leak and could not be driven safely due to the vehicle getting severely low where the tire and rim tucked into the wheel well. When the airmatic suspension fails the vehicle can get so low that it can scrape the roadway, hit bumps and damage parts under which can dislodge and cause an severe accident or pile up. Requesting a Nationwide Recall on all Mercedes-Benz…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 48,850 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.