FaultScore

Mercedes Benz S550 vs Chevrolet C15

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 Chevrolet C15
Complaints on file 108 270
Model years covered 2007–2008 1984–1996
Worst model year 1995
Best model year 1996
Crashes reported 2 50
Fires reported 2 12
Injuries reported 2 36
Deaths reported 0 1
Most complained-about part Transmission & Drivetrain Brakes
Share of complaints involving harm 5.6% 36.7%

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

Transmission & Drivetrain 15 13.9%
Electrical System 15 13.9%
Engine & Cooling 14 13.0%
Suspension 14 13.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 10 9.3%
Fuel & Propulsion 8 7.4%
Other & Unspecified 7 6.5%
Airbags 4 3.7%

Chevrolet C15 by year

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

What breaks

Brakes 60 22.2%
Seats 37 13.7%
Airbags 28 10.4%
Seat Belts 28 10.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 15 5.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 15 5.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain 14 5.2%
Electrical System 14 5.2%