The panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. Will not open back up.
The worst 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system8
- Visibility2
- Wheels2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system8
- Visibility2
- Wheels2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
Recalls 3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of previous the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Recall number 24V874000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall expands the federal safety agency recall number 19V‑918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Recall number 22V954000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit:
- Risk
- A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Recall number 19V918000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550
Defect investigations
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
EA13003
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 83
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year...
- In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has...
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper...
- The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be...
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
What 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it’s filled. This creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. Unfortunately, Mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee.
I filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and I discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... I cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel Vapors and I'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. The Mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for free and I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be rectified before someone dies in an explosion... no warning lights showed up but it is a common problem on the E-Class due to a cracked fuel filter housing module.
In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 was excluded. The symptoms and parts diagnosed match the warranty 100%.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e550. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the sun roof detached from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of north haven (620 washington ave, north haven, ct 06473, (203) 239-1313) where the sun roof was repaired. The contact mentioned that the recall repair was covered under the VIN however, she was charged for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 115,018. Parts distribution disconnect. ## VIN passed ## mercedes-benz 2008 ##
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e550. While operating the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed inaccurate fuel levels and a strong odor of fuel was present coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of austin (6757 airport blvd, austin, tx) where it was diagnosed that the fuel leveling sensor was faulty and the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unknown.
I have been reported to have a fuel leak.
Related to case# ea13003 I recently purchased a pre-owned 2008 e550 with 59k miles in december 2014. After fill-up, I noticed a faint fuel smell on the drivers rear area near the rear wheel. I have also opened up the access hatch and noticed fuel seeping from the sending unit. This seems to be the exact issues I have seen in regards to case #ea13003. This smell goes away after the tank level goes below 3/4.
Just purchased this 2008 e550 with 100k miles on it. It was inspected and said to be a great maintained vehicle with no issues. I was driving on a city street and a red indicator light came on telling me stop car too low. Car was in sport mode with the vehicle raised button indicator light on. I drove back to my house and parked the vehicle, as it sat for an approximate 1 hour I noticed it drop significantly. I turned the vehicle on too see if it would raise again and the compressor was still working but no movement was happening. I looked it up online and there has been numerous accounts of these vehicles having the same issue. I just spent 20k on a vehicle that lasted me 7 days. The dealership stated that the fix could cost me a few thousand depending on what they find. This is ridiculous and something needs to be done for all owners of the airmatic systems. They are faulty and are too expensive to be going back and forth to the dealer to be serviced. Great vehicle with a huge flaw.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes e550. The contact stated that after refueling, a strong gasoline odor was present outside of the vehicle. The contact informed the dealer of the problem. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Compare the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550
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Questions about the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550
Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 reliable?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550, close to a typical E550 model year.
What is the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 year score?
The 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz E550: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 8 complaints, typically around 67,174 miles. Next is visibility (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes Benz E550 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility.
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