Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz G500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

48,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 to 2009 model years. Data updated: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 13 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior430.8%
Steering behavior323.1%
Electrical and battery issues215.4%
Transmission and shifting17.7%

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.

Service Brakes
2
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Power Train
1
Seats
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes2
Electrical System1
Engine1
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Power Train1
Seats1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module1

Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Seats: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 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.

2003
4
2004
1
2006
1
2010
1
2011
1
2013
1
2014
2
2015
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20034
20041
20061
20101
20111
20131
20142
20152

2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10029784 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029784 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10039240 · 2003-09-21 (September 21, 2003)

ESP BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2003 G500 GOING DOWN HILL AROUND CURVES PAST 40 MPH IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. AUTOMATIC BRAKING ON THE LEFT TIRE TURNING TO THE RIGHT CAN THROW YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ESP NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039240 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049692 · 2003-12-13 (December 13, 2003)

I HAVE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ G 500. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND I HIT A BUMP IN THE WHOLE ROAD THE WHOLE STEERING UNIT IN THE TRUCK SHAKES AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL BECAUSE OF IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNDERS AT WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/FORUMS/THREAD-VIEW.ASP?TID=1124269&POSTS=16&FID=30&NP=1128200. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049692 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10094235 · 2004-09-23 (September 23, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING RACK PINION SHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094235 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10763976 · 2015-09-15 (September 15, 2015)

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 AS THE 2ND OWNER. IT ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND SEEMED LIKE A GREAT CAR. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE SLIGHTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT KINDA MUSHY AND MY BRAKING WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL. NEXT THING I SAW WAS MY DASHBOARD HAD A RED MESSAGE ON IT (BRAKE REDUCED BRAKING EFFORT) AHHHHHH I WAS FREAKED OUT AND GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK (I WAS AFRAID MY BRAKES WERE NOT GOING TO WORK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT MY…

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10763976 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10575058 · 2014-03-26 (March 26, 2014)

THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST SHUTS OFF - WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TO REGAIN POWER, VEHICLE MUST BE SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND KEY NEEDS TO BE CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF WESTMINSTER IN COLORADO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A GREAT DEGREE OF CERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THEY THINK IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS CONT…

Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575058 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10651758 · 2014-10-31 (October 31, 2014)

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

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.

2002
1
2003
2
2004
1
2005
1
2006
1
2007
1
2008
1
2009
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20021
20032
20041
20051
20061
20071
20081
20091

2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz G500 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200221Not available
200372+1
200401-1
2005210
2006010
2007110
2008010
2009110
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

69.2%Usable mileage9 / 13 records
100.0%Valid incident date13 / 13 records
100.0%Valid filing date13 / 13 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates13 / 13 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20022003200420052006200720082009
Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10763976 · 75,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 AS THE 2ND OWNER. IT ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND SEEMED LIKE A GREAT CAR. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE SLIGHTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT KINDA MUSHY AND MY BRAKING WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL. NEXT THING I SAW WAS MY DASHBOARD HAD A RED MESSAGE ON IT (BRAKE REDUCED BRAKING EFFORT) AHHHHHH I WAS FREAKED OUT AND GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK (I WAS AFRAID MY BRAKES WERE NOT GOING TO WORK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT MY…

Look up ODI 10763976 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10724870 · 123,755 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ G500. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE SBC PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,755. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10724870 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10575058 · 23,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST SHUTS OFF - WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TO REGAIN POWER, VEHICLE MUST BE SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND KEY NEEDS TO BE CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF WESTMINSTER IN COLORADO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A GREAT DEGREE OF CERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THEY THINK IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS CONT…

Look up ODI 10575058 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10651758 · 64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
150.0%
ODI 10359520 · 48,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ G500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ECT CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE WAS ALERTED TO THE FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE UNIT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHERE SHE WAS INITIALLY TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE; THEY LATER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPA…

Look up ODI 10359520 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10651758 · 64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
150.0%
ODI 10395693 · 75,000 mi

MY FRONT SEATS RECLINE BUTTONS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. THEY GO OPPOSITE THEN WHAT YOUR DOING. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AND I TRIED TO RECLINE THE SEAT BACK AND IT WENT FORWARD. IT CAUSED ME TO ACCELERATE FASTER AND ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT ON NUMEROUS OF BLOGS AND FORUMS. *TR

Look up ODI 10395693 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10029784

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Look up ODI 10029784 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10039240

ESP BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2003 G500 GOING DOWN HILL AROUND CURVES PAST 40 MPH IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. AUTOMATIC BRAKING ON THE LEFT TIRE TURNING TO THE RIGHT CAN THROW YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ESP NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED. *JB

Look up ODI 10039240 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Service BrakesToo few reports for a range99,378 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10763976 · 75,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 AS THE 2ND OWNER. IT ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND SEEMED LIKE A GREAT CAR. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE SLIGHTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT KINDA MUSHY AND MY BRAKING WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL. NEXT THING I SAW WAS MY DASHBOARD HAD A RED MESSAGE ON IT (BRAKE REDUCED BRAKING EFFORT) AHHHHHH I WAS FREAKED OUT AND GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK (I WAS AFRAID MY BRAKES WERE NOT GOING TO WORK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT MY…

Look up ODI 10763976 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10724870 · 123,755 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ G500. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE SBC PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,755. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10724870 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range23,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10575058 · 23,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST SHUTS OFF - WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TO REGAIN POWER, VEHICLE MUST BE SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND KEY NEEDS TO BE CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF WESTMINSTER IN COLORADO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A GREAT DEGREE OF CERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THEY THINK IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS CONT…

Look up ODI 10575058 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range64,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10651758 · 64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range48,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10359520 · 48,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ G500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ECT CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE WAS ALERTED TO THE FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE UNIT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHERE SHE WAS INITIALLY TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE; THEY LATER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPA…

Look up ODI 10359520 at NHTSA ↗

Power TrainToo few reports for a range64,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10651758 · 64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

SeatsToo few reports for a range75,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10395693 · 75,000 mi

MY FRONT SEATS RECLINE BUTTONS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. THEY GO OPPOSITE THEN WHAT YOUR DOING. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AND I TRIED TO RECLINE THE SEAT BACK AND IT WENT FORWARD. IT CAUSED ME TO ACCELERATE FASTER AND ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I NOTICED IT ON NUMEROUS OF BLOGS AND FORUMS. *TR

Look up ODI 10395693 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008000
2009000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2008000
2009100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentService BrakesElectrical SystemEngineEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning LightService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Service Brakes—0000000
Electrical System0—000000
Engine00—0
1
ODI 10651758 · 64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

000
Engine And Engine Cooling000—0000
Power Train00
1
ODI 10651758 · 64,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE; ONLY THE ENGINE INCREASED RPMS. I TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND NUMBER ON THE INSTRUMENT CHANGES BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER THE THE SHOULDER PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR.NOW ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN CHANGING GEARS IN AUTO MODE OR MANUAL MODE. AGAIN STOPPING AND RESTARTING CAR IT ACED NORMAL. FINALLY…

Look up ODI 10651758 at NHTSA ↗

0—000
Seats00000—00
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light000000—0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10763976 · 75,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 AS THE 2ND OWNER. IT ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND SEEMED LIKE A GREAT CAR. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE SLIGHTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT KINDA MUSHY AND MY BRAKING WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL. NEXT THING I SAW WAS MY DASHBOARD HAD A RED MESSAGE ON IT (BRAKE REDUCED BRAKING EFFORT) AHHHHHH I WAS FREAKED OUT AND GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK (I WAS AFRAID MY BRAKES WERE NOT GOING TO WORK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT MY…

Look up ODI 10763976 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 23,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10575058 · 23,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST SHUTS OFF - WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TO REGAIN POWER, VEHICLE MUST BE SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND KEY NEEDS TO BE CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF WESTMINSTER IN COLORADO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A GREAT DEGREE OF CERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THEY THINK IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS CONT…

Look up ODI 10575058 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b