2000 Mercedes-Benz S 500

Routine

Owners filed 55 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
87,878 milesMedian miles at failure

43 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System23
010
Interior Lighting9
000
Suspension6
000
Structure › Body4
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel3
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
100
Suspension › Front › Springs › Air Suspension System1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components1
100
Service Brakes1
000
Exterior Lighting1
100

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 2022CA

Please help me My 2000 s500L Mercedes’ Benz dashboard have been blinking for 4 months now it has finally completely went out I am complaining on my behalf in my daughter in wife please NHTSA we cannot see anything on our car dashboard our vehicle have been inspected at two independent service dealer theses symptoms appear to have been happening 1 year after purchasing from dealer please NHSTA we need a recall on our dashboard cluster. I cannot attend work until the cluster gets fix it’s so dangerous driving with a broken cause this recall will be a blessing to our family.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 2020120,000 milesFL

LAST NIGHT WE HAD TROPICAL STORM ETA IN FLORIDA. WE HAD ABOUT 10 INCHES OF RAIN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 70F AND 80F. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON HIGH GROUND BUT IN THE RAIN. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FLOODED WITH WATER UNDER THE CARPET. I HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK OR THE SOURCE OF THE SHORT YET BUT THE CAR IS IN MY SHOP. I DRILLED HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO DRAIN THE WATER FOR NOW. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING, THE WIPERS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF ON THERE OWN, THE CAR STAYED RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, THE SOS LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE SPEAKERS WERE POPPING, THE THROTTLE CONTROLS WERE ACTING ODD AND NOT CORRESPONDING WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL, THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND OR STAY ON LONGER THAN NORMAL, THE TRANSMISSION WAS GETTING STUCK IN GEARS, THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS ACTING WEIRD, I PRESSED THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THE TAIL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND I HAD A FULL TANK, THE SPEED AND RPM WERE WORKING NORMAL, OUTSIDE TEMP WAS GOING ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE CLOCK, THE AC BLOWER SPEED WAS CHANGING AND TURNING OFF, THE WINDOWS WOULD WORK THEN NOT WORK, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, BASICALLY THE CAR WOULD START AND RUN BUT ALMOST EVERY SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS THE SECOND MERCEDES I HAVE OWNED TH

Electrical System
Filed Sep 9, 2020110,000 milesFL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ONLY WORKS WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 5, 2020120,000 milesFL

I WAS GETTING STUFF FROM THE TRUNK. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE CAR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SORCE OF THE FIRE IT WAA THE BLOWER RESISTOR. THE WIRING TO THE BLOWER WAS BURNT AT THE CONNECTOR. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE EVAPORATOR BOX WAS DAMAGED.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 11, 2018OH

I JUST BOUGHT MY MERCEDES S500 TWO WEEKS AGO. IT ONLY HAD ONE OWNER, 98,000 MILES AND GOOD CAR FAX. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE COMPLETELY DARK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING!! I CANT TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE NOR HOW FAST I AM DRIVING! I RESEARCH TODAY AND FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOW EXPIRED. HOW AND WHY DOES A RECALL EXPIRE??!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WONT BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE CHILDREN TO TRANSPORT AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A ACCIDENT OR RECEIVE A TICKET FOR DRIVING TOO FAST! ITS SO UNFAIR THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL. HOW IS THIS FAIR TO A BUYER WHO WOULD HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS!!! SO I GUESS IF ME AND MY CHILDREN GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND DIED, MERCEDES WOULD SAY "OH WELL, THE RECALL EXPIRED". BULLSHIT!!! I AM SO ANGRY. AND THEY DON'T CARE!!!!

Exterior LightingCrash
Filed Mar 12, 2018120,000 milesFL

IN REFERENCE TO CAMPAIGN 06V028000 WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR EXCLUSION OF SOME CARS OF THE SAME YEAR VS OTHERS? JUST BECAUSE THE 7 CARS THAT WERE PART OF THE ORGINAL COMPLAINT FALL IN THE NARROWLY DEFINED VIN RANGE DOES NOT MEAN OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEFECTIVE CLUSTERS ARE THE SAME. I HAVE A 2000 S500 WITH A FAILED CLUSTER. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR THAT OTHER CARS ARE BEING REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT MY CAR IS EXCLUDED BECAUSE ITS VIN RANGE IS STATISTICALLY NOT IN THE SAME NARROW VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT? THIS SEEMS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AND THE PART IS THE SAME AND THERE IS NO BASIS TO EXCLUDE IT. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME NOT. IF THE FAILED CLUSTERS WERE FROM DIFFERENT MANUFATURERS THAT WOULD BE ONE THING, BUT TO EXCLUDE CARS DUE TO VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL 7 CARS AS PART OF THE COMPLAINT IS VERY LOP SIDED. I REQUEST YOU TO PLEASE WIDEN THE RECALL. MY VIN ENDING RANGE IS YA060424

Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 201897,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S500L. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY KNOCKED WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE INDICATING TO "STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AGAIN OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED HE SOLD THE VEHICLE AS HE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 201790,000 milesNC

ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT SLOWLY DIM, FLICKED, AND 95% LIGHTS WERE SHUT OFF INCLUDED SPEEDOMETER, THE REST WERE VERY DIM HARDLY SEE ANYTHING. INSIDE MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DARK AT THAT POINT, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY, I HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THAT WAS VERY SCARY!! DUE TO THIS KIND OF DEFECTIVE, THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN DRIVING CONDITION AT NIGHT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 90K MILE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND I HAD FOUND FEW FORUMS DISCUSSED ABOUT THE SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH S500. BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR WHICH RELATED TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN NHTSA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WOULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY MATTER. GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2016130,000 milesCA

MY CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND NOW THE FRONT END IS DAM NEAR ON THE GROUND

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2015188,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GAUGES FAILED TO INDICATE ANY READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05062 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 21, 2015TX

ALL FOUR DOORS AND TRUNK OF CAR WILL NOT LOCK OR ENGAGE USING THE CAR KEY REMOTELY BUT THE LIGHTS WILL BLINK WHEN KEY IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH DOWN ON ALL FOUR LOCKS TO LOCK THE CAR. ALSO, I HAVE TO MANUALLY USE/INSERT THE CAR KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. FRONT PASSENGER CAR SEAT WILL NOT MOVE OR RECLINE WHEN DOOR PANEL BUTTONS ARE PUSHED. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND NO FAULT CAN BE FOUND. SUN VISOR STAYS DOWN AND CAN NOT STAY UP. I BELIEVE THESE ARE ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

Suspension
Filed Apr 11, 2015101,000 milesGA

THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FRONT SIDE OF SUSPENSION WHEN DOWN TO TIRES CAN'T DRIVE NOR WILL IT PUMP UP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 5, 2015151,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Interior Lighting
Filed Dec 24, 201485,000 milesDC

I WAS HAVING AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM AND I LOOKED IT UP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS AND I WROTE DOWN THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER (06V028000) AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT MY VIN WAS IN THE RECALL BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THIS WAS JULY 2014. I ALSO CALLED MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS RECALL FIXED? IN ADDITION TO THIS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY VIN EXPIRED OR DO I HAVE TIME TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 31, 2014VA

THE BACK LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 26, 2014130,000 milesMO

THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING OUT. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES ON THE BODY THAT THE PAINT IS BUBBLING AND STARTING TO RUST ALSO. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT EVERY YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD IT. I BOUGHT IT IN 2000 AND HAVE HAD IT EVER SINCE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MERCEDES PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER HAD THE PAINT FAIL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 2014127,097 milesGA

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE... AS LIKE THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE VERY SAME DEVICE-FAILURE; I'VE COME TO NOW KNOW THAT THIS' A WIDELY KNOWN MBUSA VEHICLE RECALL ISSUE THAT WAS QUICKLY & EXTREMELY DISCRIMINATORY & NON-EXHAUSTIVE RECALL (HALF)EFFORT... AT BEST! I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO ATTEMPT CONTACTING THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) AND INQUIRED AS TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL &/OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE NOTIFIED BY MBUSA OF THIS RECALL... ALL OF WHICH THE ANSWER(S) WERE NO. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND HAS BEEN KEPT PRISTINE... TO DATE! AS LIKE THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS; MBUSA'S WELL AWARE OF THIS YET THE RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED KNOWING THAT THERE ARE POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THESE FAULTY DEVICES AND KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT EXHAUSTIVELY ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS; HENCE KNOWING THAT THERE'S MILLIONS TO BE MADE AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ONCE WE START ROLLING IN AFTER THE RECALL CLOSURE DATE ($$$$)!!! NEVER WAS THERE ADEQUATE, EXHAUSTIVE NOR EXTENSIVE EFFORTS PUT FORTH WITH THIS RECALL; AS WELL AS A SMALL WINDOW TO TOTALLY & EFFECTIVELY RECALL THE VAST NUMBER OF VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH IT... PLEASE NOTE THE NUMEROUS & IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS YOU'VE RECEIVED REGARDING THIS ISSUE! AT LEAST FORCE/MANDATE MBUSA TO COVER PARTS/DEVICE TO THIS RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR... OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO COVER THIS WELL DOCUMENTED RECALL! I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL MAJOR RECALLS; THIS' A FIRST OF SUC

Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 2014127,097 milesGA

WHILE RETURNING FROM TAKING MY HUSBAND TO HAVE A SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON I-75. I NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT INSTANTLY WENT BLACK. I CAME CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANY IMPORTANT INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND GASOLINE LEVEL ON VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO IS MERCEDES CERTIFIED AND HE INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. I ASKED IF HE COULD REPAIR THE CLUSTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP CAUSE OF THE RISK OF DRIVING. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN MACON, GA AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,312.00 FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL I WAS TOLD THAT IT EXPIRED FOUR YEARS AGO. I TOOK IT UPON MY SELF TO LOOK INTO THE RECALL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RECALL CAME OUT IN NOVEMBER 2005 AND THEN EXPIRED FEBRUARY 2006. WHICH IN OTHER WORDS WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE OWNERS. IF THE RECALL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN WHY WAS THERE A EXPIRATION DATE? IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THE TIME FRAME WHEN THE OWNER COMES IN TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE POINT IS THAT YOU ISSUED A RECALL AND FOR THE INTEGRITY AND UTMOST SAFETY OF YOUR CONSUMER AND THEIR FAMILY WHICH CONSIST OF SMALL CHILDREN. WE CHOSE YOUR VEHICLE FOR THAT REASON" SAFETY". WHEN I WANTED TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FOR "MY FAMILY" I CHOSE MERCEDES BENZ. BUT NOW YOU TELL ME YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE POINT IS THAT YOU NEW OF THE REC

Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2014165,000 milesMS

WAS DRIVING AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 201445,000 milesWA

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR

20 of 55 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20231300Routine
202220800Do not drive
20211700Routine
20072000Routine
200612000Routine
200511000Routine
200412000Routine
200310000Routine
200225010Routine
200134010Routine
2000 — this page55010Routine
19992000Routine
19961000Routine
19954000Routine
19942000Routine
19932000Routine

Compare every S 500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.