2002 Mercedes Benz S500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
73,963 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 25 complaints (32.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.0% |
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: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Interior Lighting | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 8; Electrical System: 6; Interior Lighting: 4; Suspension: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10398540 · 2011-05-02 (May 2, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FOR AN ALIGNMENT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE AROMATIC STRUTS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE BECAUSE OF A FAILURE, THE EXHAUST PIPE AND GENERAL RING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,140 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,140 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555977 · 2013-12-13 (December 13, 2013)
RIGHT SIDE CATALYST BROKE APART AND FAILED. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO RUN REALLY HORRIBLE AND STALL OUT MANY TIMES. MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN IF THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 65000 MILES. IT WON'T PASS THE CALIFORNIA EMISSION TESTING. *TR UPDATED 12/17/14. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204988 · 2007-10-02 (October 2, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. ON OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE MILEAGE GAUGE DISPLAYED 26,700. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE GAUGE DISPLAYED 43,000. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005, THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF HAVE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20 TO 45MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH AND WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CD PLAYER FAILED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809494 · 2015-12-10 (December 10, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO ILLUMINATE OR SHOW ANY OF THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS EXPERIENCING AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809494 at NHTSA ↗