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U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Mercedes Benz S500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

12 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

98,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues325.0%
Braking behavior216.7%

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.

Electrical System
5
Service Brakes
3
Suspension
3
Air Bags
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Steering
2
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
1
Engine
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System5
Service Brakes3
Suspension3
Air Bags2
Exterior Lighting2
Steering2
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel1
Engine1

Electrical System: 5; Service Brakes: 3; Suspension: 3; Air Bags: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Steering: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 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.

2014
4
2015
5
2017
1
2019
1
2021
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20144
20155
20171
20191
20211

2014: 4; 2015: 5; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10692762 · 2015-03-07 (March 7, 2015)

ON MAY 16, 2014, I PURCHASED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500 WITH 61,649 MILES FROM CAR CREDIT NATION.AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND VISITING WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, WE FOUND FURTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, THAT WE FELT WERE LIFE THREATENING AND HAZARDOUS TO THE ROAD, OTHER DRIVERS, AND OUR SAFETY. MERCEDES BENZ STATED THAT THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY BAD ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH THEY NOTICE AT THE TIME OF THEIR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE.WE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE V…

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692762 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10779591 · 2015-10-04 (October 4, 2015)

LICENSE PLAYE LIGHT OUT SHORT CAUSES SRS LIGHT TO COME ON AND HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THERE IS NOW AN SIS DEFECTIVE LIGHT DUE TO THE WIRING. MY TRUCK DOES NOT POWER CLOSE. HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES. AND WHILE TURNING IT CAUSED AN ERROR FOR TURN LIGHTS

Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779591 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10733487 · 2015-07-12 (July 12, 2015)

DURING RAIN STORM, WATER SEEPEED INO AIR COWL INTO CABIN-PASSENGER SIDE- FLOODED FLOOR EVENTUALLY SAM ELECTRONIC MODULE UNDER FLOOR WAS DAMAGED AND SHUT OFF ELECTRONICS IN AUTOMOBILE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY- WITH OUT POWER CONTROLS OPERATING IT MADE DRIVING AND STOPPING THE CAR A VERY DANGEROUS FEAT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF ROAD INTO GUARDRAIL AND STOPPED. MERCEDES BENZ HAS BEEN AWARE (A LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN CA) OF DESIGN DEFECT OF AIR COWL DRAIN CLOGGING AND FLOODING CABIN BUT HAS KEPT THIS DANGEROUS FLAW FROM OWNERS EVEN THOUGH WE …

Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10733487 at NHTSA ↗