2000 Mercedes Benz S500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10108793 · 2005-01-25 (January 25, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,341 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108793 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 10160668 · 2006-06-24 (June 24, 2006)
MERCEDES-BENZ UNDER REPORTING HAS BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO THEM ABOUT MY AC BLOWER MOTOR, WHICH TURNS ON ONLY SPORADICALLY, ON AVERAGE ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME. I WENT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD REFUSED TO FIX IT SAYING THAT MINE WAS NOT ONE OF THE CARS MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE ACCEPTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V141000. HOWEVER, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT AND THAT IT IS INDEED A DEFECT OF THE ENGINEERING AND THAT MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT AS IT WAS EXAC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161680 · 2006-07-06 (July 6, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BACKLIGHTING THE SPEEDOMETER BURNED OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL #06V028000 CONCERNING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PART WAS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS REPLACED AT COST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK UPDATED 7/21/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 55,710 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164432 · 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)
MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 IS RUSTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE PAINT. THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACES WHERE THE CAR IS RUSTING. MERCEDES, AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL, PRETENDS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL, THEY OPENLY ADMIT TO THIS PROBLEM AND TELL ME THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MERCEDES HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT THEIR 100,000 FLAGSHIP LUXURY SEDAN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166602 · 2006-08-26 (August 26, 2006)
I OWN A YEAR 2000 MERCEDES S. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS DEVELOPED INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (NUMBER: 06V028000). THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE A REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL AND MERCEDES USA DENIES THAT THERE IS A RECALL. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THANK YOU. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 71,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167602 · 2006-09-07 (September 7, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND WAS GIVEN A COPY OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 06V028000 BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 09/20/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 46,012 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167602 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.