FaultScore

Mercedes Benz S550 vs Ford C-Max

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz S550 Ford C-Max
Complaints on file 184 458
Model years covered 2010–2017 2013–2018
Worst model year 2015 2014
Best model year 2016 2017
Crashes reported 19 30
Fires reported 11 12
Injuries reported 13 16
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Other & Unspecified Electrical System
Share of complaints involving harm 23.4% 12.7%

Mercedes Benz S550 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Other & Unspecified 24 13.0%
Steering 18 9.8%
Fuel & Propulsion 16 8.7%
Body & Structure 15 8.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 13 7.1%
Seat Belts 12 6.5%
Engine & Cooling 11 6.0%
Electrical System 11 6.0%

Ford C-Max by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Steering 64 14.0%
Body & Structure 18 3.9%
Airbags 16 3.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 16 3.5%