2000 Mercedes Benz S500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
87,878 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 55 complaints (49.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 12.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 10.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 10.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.6% |
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 | 27 |
| Interior Lighting | 12 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
Electrical System: 27; Interior Lighting: 12; Suspension: 7; Exterior Lighting: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Structure:Body: 4; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 3; Engine: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 7; 2007: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 10; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2020: 3; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering 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 10352845 · 2010-08-30 (August 30, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 60-65, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO DRIVE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED WHICH RESULTED TO TEN PERCENT BRAKING POWER AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION WITH CAUTION AND HE WAS FORCED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS ALSO REPAIRED. THE TECHN…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10352845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353064 · 2010-08-31 (August 31, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500S. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES FORCEFULLY. SUDDENLY, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GAUGES WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE RECALL MANUFACTURER REPORT DATE WAS FEBRUARY 1, 2006. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED SEPTEMBER OF 2009, AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD N…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160666 · 2006-06-24 (June 24, 2006)
THE MERCEDES S-CLASS HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND EVEN WHEN RECALLS ARE MADE, MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA UNDERSTATES THE NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED TO MINIMIZE THEIR LOSS DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING. MY MERCEDES DEALER (CROWN MERCEDES IN DUBLIN, OHIO - TEL [phone removed]) HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, NOR DO THE GAUGES WORK, EVEN THOUGH A RECALL WAS MANDATED AS PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V028000. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF HONORING THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE VERY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257529 · 2009-02-05 (February 5, 2009)
MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLICKERING OFF AND ON ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THEN WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2009 WHILE RETURNING FROM A SUPER BOWL PARTY. I HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 90 MILES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM MY INDICATION AND SAFETY SYSTEM ON A $80,000 VEHICLE. AFTER DAYS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AND COUNTLESS HOURS OF SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I DECIDED TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TO RESET TO CARS COMPUTER. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO DO APPROX TWICE A YEAR WHEN MY RADIO, CD,…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,878 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011709 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MECHANICAL FAILURES. SEAT BELT STICKS, WHILE DRIVING DASH LIGHTS GO OUT, POWER STEERING DROPPED, ATEANNA FELL OFF, POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTION. *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 39,608 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344761 · 2010-07-22 (July 22, 2010)
WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AROUND 65 MPH WHEN EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT. WE'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED MECHANICALLY BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SHOP YET. BUT WHATEVER IT WAS, IT WAS DEFINITELY CATASTROPHIC. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AT ALL. WE WERE ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE CAR BROKE. BUT FOR SOME REASON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THE INSTANT THAT THE CAR BROKE DOWN! THE AIRBAGS IN TURN INJURED THE PASSENGERS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR.…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,626 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550460 · 2000-01-18 (January 18, 2000)
MAIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHUTS DOWN DURING STALLING CAUSING ALL TECHNICAL INFORMATION TO SHUT DOWN. MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550460 at NHTSA ↗