I WOKE UP ONE MORNING AND WAS ASTOUNDED TO FIND A LONG DIAGONAL CRACK ACROSS THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF OF MY 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ S550. I CONTACTED MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS WAS DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A "STRESS CRACK" AND STUCK ME WITH A BILL FOR $13,000. THIS IS A 2016 MODEL C…
2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class body problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
My vehicle is listed in this Mercedes recall campaign bulletin, and it is also experiencing the safety issue that is discussed in this recall campaign bulletin: Campaign No.2021070010, August 2021 Revision A 09/03/2021 When I contact Mercedes to have the issue addressed, they stated my Vin is not a part of this recall campaign, and to contact you about it.
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO PHOENIX AZ TO DROP OFF MY MOM AND GRANDMA WHEN SUDDENLY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. THERE WASN'T ANY TYPE OF OBJECT NEAR ME TO CAUSE IT. IT WAS VERY RANDOM. THIS DISTURBED MY FAMILY MENTALLY SCARING THEM AND I SWERVED OFF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CRASHING.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.