Mercedes Benz 500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
73 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 73 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 33 | 45.2% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 19.2% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 17 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 17; Electrical System: 16; Electrical System:Wiring: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 8
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
1995: 4; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 7; 2005: 8; 2006: 11; 2007: 10; 2008: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 33 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000365 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
FAULTY WIRING IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS DISENTIGRATING FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN AGE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO EXIBIT STALLING ISSUES AND ROUGH RUNNING, ALSO FAULT CODES ARE PRODUCED ON THE CAR COMPUTER.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136413 · 2005-09-13 (September 13, 2005)
CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, DROVE HOME AT VERY REDUCED SPEED. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS, A COMMON DEFECT ON THIS MODEL CAR 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 500E. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10136413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182063 · 2007-02-09 (February 9, 2007)
WIRE INSULATION ON MY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS DISINTEGRATED EXPOSING THE INTERNAL WIRING COMPLETELY, ESPECIALLY IN BENT AREAS. THIS IS A RESULT OF NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. AS THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE RUNS WORSE, PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED INCLUDE SURGING IN IDLE, STUMBLING OF ENGINE UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND STALLING OR RUNNING ENGINE. THE ONLY COURSE OF ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WITH A "NEWLY" PURCHASED HARNESS FROM MERCEDES BENZ. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT IDEA IS I WILL BE PURCHASING A WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURED DURI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160120 · 2006-06-19 (June 19, 2006)
CAR WILL QUIT ALL OF A SUDDEN AND LEAVE ME WITH NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING. THIS IS DUE TO A BRAKE DOWN IN THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND OR A FIRE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 134,465 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138922 · 2005-10-06 (October 6, 2005)
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10137365 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD DETAILS: INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRING CRUMBLES TO DUST, RESULTING IN SHORTS, DAMAGED ELECTRONICS, ENGINE STALLING, ABS FAILURE, ETC. IT APPEARS MBZ USED DEFECTIVE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESSES. IN ALL LOCATIONS THAT ARE EXPOSED TO HIGHER THAN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE THE INSULATION CRUMBLES TO DUST. . DEALER SAYS 'ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 92-95 MODEL YEARS'. REPLACEMENT HARNESSES COST OVER …
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505934 · 2013-04-11 (April 11, 2013)
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION STICKER, WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MALFUNCTION THAT ALLOWED GAS VAPORS TO ESCAPE FROM TANK. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN BUT TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION!!! THE CAR WAS NOT MISUSED OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED, OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART MERCEDES PUT IN THEIR CARS AND THEY CHOSE NOT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. CHARGED $1,400 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 116,322 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595308 · 2014-05-31 (May 31, 2014)
IN JUNE 2012 THE CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW GAS CAP. WE GOT A GAS CAP AND IT PASSED INSPECTION. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED COMPLETELY. IF WE ONLY FILL THE GAS TANK ABOUT 3/4 OR LESS, THERE IS NO GAS SMELL. WE RECENTLY HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A SEAL/CAP IN AN OVERFILL TANK UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS LOOSE. WE REPLACED THE GAS CAP AGAIN AND THE CAP TO THE OVERFILL TANK WAS TIGHTENED. WE FILLED THE TANK FULL …
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211224 · 2007-12-08 (December 8, 2007)
" EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ENGINE WIRE HARNESS " I BELIEVE THE FAULTY WIRE HARNESS COATING WAS MANUFACTURED FROM 1991 TO 1996 BY MERCEDES BENZ. THE PLASTIC COATING THAT PROTECT THE WIRES FROM TOUCHING AS THEY GO TO EIGHT FUEL INJECTORS, COMPLETELY DISSOLVE IN MANY AREAS.....CAUSING A MULTITUDE OF EVENTS: 1) SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE 2) ENGINE FIRES 3) EXTREME LOSS OF POWER, CAUSING CAR TO JERK INTENSELY WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING IN AND OUT MAKING IT "ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE" TO CONTROL CAR. I HAVE REPLACED THE "ENGINE WIRE HARNESS" ONCE, & NOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 716765 · 2000-01-03 (January 3, 2000)
MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINS INOPERABLE. DRIVER LOSES ALL TECHINCAL INFORMATION AND OPERATING STATUS OF VEHICLE. DURING DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AN ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF THE GEARSHIFT LEVER FROM "DRIVE" TO "NEUTRAL" AND BACK TO "DRIVE" RESULTS IN TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING IN "DRIVE" UNTIL THE CAR SLOWS TO 20MPH. DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL OVER CAR UNTIL IT REACHES THE 20MPH RANGE AND THE TRANSMISSION THEN ENGAGES IN GEAR. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL, WITH ENGINE RUNNING, IN "DRIVE" WHEN BRAKES A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 716765 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2003: 0