U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Mercedes Benz S CLASS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

81 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

84,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 67 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 81 complaints (24.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	7	8.6%
Steering behavior	4	4.9%
Braking behavior	3	3.7%

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: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Interior Lighting

Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System

Electrical System

Suspension

Suspension:Rear

Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner

Suspension:Front

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	20
Interior Lighting	17
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	10
Electrical System	9
Suspension	8
Suspension:Rear	4
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	3
Suspension:Front	3

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 20; Interior Lighting: 17; Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System: 10; Electrical System: 9; Suspension: 8; Suspension:Rear: 4; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 3; Suspension:Front: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 5

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 14 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.

2000

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2000: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 6; 2006: 24; 2007: 10; 2008: 8; 2009: 4; 2010: 15; 2011: 6

Pattern summary

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10160774 · 2006-06-26 (June 26, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 10160766 PERTAINING TO THE THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160774 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10164366 · 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHTING OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. A RECALL WAS FOUND ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE THAT MATCHED THE SAME PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE HAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164366 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068236 · 2004-05-03 (May 3, 2004)

SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. STREEING BECAME VERY VERY HEAVY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068236 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10142132 · 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)

200 MERCEDES S430 POWER STEERING FAILED. *TS THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING RACK LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND SINCE THE CHARGES RELATED TO A DEFECT. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 69,869 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142132 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230786 · 2008-06-12 (June 12, 2008)

THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR WHEN BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR DROPS DOWN AND THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED, POSING NO HAZARD. BUT WHEN ONLY ONE OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DEVELOPS A SMALL AIR LEAK, THE CAR DOES NOT LOOSE MUCH HEIGHT AND THERE IS LOSS OF TRACTION IN THE TIRE IN THE INVOLVED SIDE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VEHICLE WEIGHT BE…

Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230786 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10232454 · 2008-06-26 (June 26, 2008)

THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR DROPS DOWN AND THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED. WHEN ONLY ONE OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DEVELOPS A SMALL AIR LEAK, THE CAR DOES NOT LOOSE MUCH HEIGHT AND THERE IS LOSS OF TRACTION IN THE TIRE IN THE INVOLVED SIDE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VEHICLE WEIGHT BEING APPLIED TO IT. THIS LOSS OF…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10232454 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

81 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

82.7%Usable mileage67 / 81 records

98.8%Valid incident date80 / 81 records

100.0%Valid filing date81 / 81 records

98.8%Ordered incident and filing dates80 / 81 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2009	2012
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	911.1% ODI 10137827 FAILURE: 2000 MERCEDES S CLASS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. ALL ELECTRONIC GAUGES, INCLUDING MPH, RPMS, FUEL GAUGE, HEAT SENSOR, ETC., CEASED WORKING ON APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER 10, 2005, AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. I HAVE CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WILL BE TAKING CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I HAVE ALSO CALLED MERCEDES DIRECTLY. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF CAR. I CONSIDER THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM Look up ODI 10137827 at NHTSA ↗	1130.6% ODI 10133955 · 49,700 mi VEHICLE IS A 2001 S-500. ALMOST WORD FOR WORD THE SAME ISSUE(S) AS ODI ID NUMBER : 10100807. SAME CAR, SAME PROBLEMS, SAME SENTIMENT. REPLACING FUSES ONLY RESULTS IN FLICKERING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING, AND EVEN THEN THE BACKLIGHT IS STILL NON-FUNCTIONAL. GAUGE NEEDLES FLICKER AS WELL, UNTIL THEY TOO GO OUT COMPLETELY. FUSES LAST ONLY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, WHEREUPON THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMAINS ENTIRELY BLACK. PROBLEM COULD BE REMEDIED SIMPLY BY REPLACING FAULTY TRANSISTORS, OR REDESIGNING AN IMPROPERLY LAID-OUT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, … Look up ODI 10133955 at NHTSA ↗	510.4% ODI 10083037 WHILE DRIVING, I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN MY MERCEDES. POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, LIGHTS, DISPLAY, POWER WINDOWS ETC.*AK Look up ODI 10083037 at NHTSA ↗	517.9% ODI 10029303 · 3,000 mi RE: 2003 S600 [XXX] MY RELATIVELY NEW (3000 MILES) S600 HAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE NEW V12 ENGINE THAT HAS NOW DEVELOPED INTO A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK FOR THE DRIVER. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE MORE THAN 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM - IT HAS BEEN ESCALATED TO THE TECH CENTER BY MY DEALER - IT HAS NOT EVER BEEN FIXED. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE REGULARLY FOULED BY MISFIRING CYLINDERS (1,2,7,8) - THE DEALER SAYS IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT MBUSA HAS FAILED TO FIX..AND NOW - WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEED OVER RELATIVELY MODEST BUMPS - THE CAR TOTALLY DIE… Look up ODI 10029303 at NHTSA ↗	320.0% ODI 10076163 · 4,000 mi WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKE OR POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD BEEN THERE FOR 3 WEEKS, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. DEALERSHIP WAS AWAITING A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK Look up ODI 10076163 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10268698 · 38,717 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN 2005 SMART CAR. MAINTENANCE BOOK SAYS GET TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY, SO WE DID. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10268698 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2024.7% ODI 10159079 · 87,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN DIMMING INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK. AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE ILLUMINATED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AK Look up ODI 10159079 at NHTSA ↗	616.7% ODI 10163101 · 103,200 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DARKENED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED; FUSES BECAME BLOWN, THE HIGH BEAMS, RADIO AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER DECLARED THERE IS A RECALL FOR S MODELS AND PROVIDED THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V08000. THE VEHICLE'S VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 8/17/2006 - THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE FUSES TO BLOW. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. NM Look up ODI 10163101 at NHTSA ↗	612.5% ODI 10156943 · 59,475 mi FAILURE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB Look up ODI 10156943 at NHTSA ↗	13.6% ODI 10262744 · 75,000 mi THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR AND I CAN'T READ MY GAUGES ON THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAY OR AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR Look up ODI 10262744 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Interior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1721.0% ODI 10142662 · 39,000 mi MY 200 S430 PANEL WAS BLACK OUT EVEN THE ENGINE WAS TURN ON. AFTER A FEW TRIES AND RESET, IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *JB Look up ODI 10142662 at NHTSA ↗	719.4% ODI 10133955 · 49,700 mi VEHICLE IS A 2001 S-500. ALMOST WORD FOR WORD THE SAME ISSUE(S) AS ODI ID NUMBER : 10100807. SAME CAR, SAME PROBLEMS, SAME SENTIMENT. REPLACING FUSES ONLY RESULTS IN FLICKERING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING, AND EVEN THEN THE BACKLIGHT IS STILL NON-FUNCTIONAL. GAUGE NEEDLES FLICKER AS WELL, UNTIL THEY TOO GO OUT COMPLETELY. FUSES LAST ONLY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, WHEREUPON THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMAINS ENTIRELY BLACK. PROBLEM COULD BE REMEDIED SIMPLY BY REPLACING FAULTY TRANSISTORS, OR REDESIGNING AN IMPROPERLY LAID-OUT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, … Look up ODI 10133955 at NHTSA ↗	48.3% ODI 10170182 · 92,000 mi INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS FAILED, NO ILLUMINATION. I CAN NOT SEE MY GAUGES. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN # DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. IT IS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430. *JB Look up ODI 10170182 at NHTSA ↗	27.1% ODI 10262744 · 75,000 mi THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR AND I CAN'T READ MY GAUGES ON THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAY OR AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR Look up ODI 10262744 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10253298 MERCEDES S-CLASS W220 AIRMATIC PROBLEMS,DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ! THEY ARE SUCKING USS OUTTTTTT! *TR Look up ODI 10253298 at NHTSA ↗	89.9% ODI 10070712 · 46,521 mi MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THE FAILURE OF MY ACCELERATOR TO RESPOND. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I WAS BEGINNING TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE AND THE ACCELARATOR SIMPLY FAILED TO RESPOND. IMMEDIATELY GOT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE PEDAL VALVE SENDER, PEDAL HOUSING ASSEMBLY,AND INPUT NEW CODES FOR THE PEDAL VALVE SENSOR. I WAS CHARGED $361.03. APPARENTLY MANY OF THE S CLASS CARS HAVE COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND I BELIEVE THIS MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED TO CHECK PEDAL VALVE SENSORS AND TO INSTALL A SAFTEY BACK UP OF SOME TYPE. MANY PEOPLE… Look up ODI 10070712 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10239277 · 129,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S 500. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THE AIRMATIC REMAINS LOWERED WHEN IT SHOULD NOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CORROSION OCCURRED IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY, WHICH CAUSED DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,… Look up ODI 10239277 at NHTSA ↗	1225.0% ODI 10150390 · 5,100 mi AFTER DRIVING AND PLACING GEAR OF 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430 IN PARK, MY CAR COLLAPSED SO LOW THAT CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, LEAVING ALL OCCUPANTS STRANDED. AIRMATIC COMPRESSOR SYSTEM, WHICH IS CAR'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED. CAR TOWED ON FLAT BED TO DEALERSHIP. SEVERAL PARTS REPLACED, INCLUDING AIRMATIC COMPESSOR, SENSOR, FUSE, PUMP, AND MORE. CAR REPAIR COST ME $1000. *NM Look up ODI 10150390 at NHTSA ↗	414.3% ODI 10235915 · 73,000 mi THE AIRMATIC WARNING CAME ON MY VEHICLE WITHOUT PRIOR INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY LAST WEEK, I SUDDENLY NOTICED THE PANEL FLASHING THIS WARNING. THE CAR DID NOT COMPLETELY FAIL, BUT THE CAR IS MUCH LOWER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE. WHEN I SEARCHED THIS ON-LINE I CAME ACROSS A FORUM CALLED BENZWORLD.ORG OR COM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MANY PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR MBUSA TO RECALL THIS ITEM. I CALLED THE CORPORATE HQ AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER, I WAS TO ASK THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR A" AFTER WARRA… Look up ODI 10235915 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10256937 · 86,666 mi IN 12-06 I BOUGHT A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. SINCE THAN I TOOK THE CAR BACK THE DEALER MORE TEN TIMES THE LATEST WAS 1-09 FOR THE SAME REASON THE AIR MATIC DEFECTED ORCOMPRESSURE LEAK,PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTION,AIR MATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE. SOME TIME THEY FOUND THE AIR MATIC COMPRESSORS W/ EXTERNAL LEAK CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO BE LOW. IN MAY 2008 FOR LEAK IN THE COMPRESSOR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. AGAIN IN JULY 2008 AIR MATIC COMPRESSOR AGAIN LEAK. AUG 2008 THEY TOLD ME IT RELAY DEFECTIVE THE AIRMATIC PUMP WAS STUCK AND THE AIRMATIC PUMP … Look up ODI 10256937 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	33.7% ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10283045 · 67,000 mi 2001 MERCEDES S500 PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL DROPPED DUE TO AIRMATIC PROBLEM. IT CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO DAMAGE THE INSIDE FENDER AND THE FRONT BUMPER. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS TRAVELED WITH SLOW SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. IF THIS WAS ON THE FREEWAY IT WILL CAUSING ACCIDENT AND DANGER TO DRIVER & PASSENGERS AND OTHER CARS SURROUNDING. *TR Look up ODI 10283045 at NHTSA ↗	36.3% ODI 10278310 · 88,000 mi REGULAR DRIVING THEN FRONT RIGHT OF CAR FALLS TO THE GROUND. *TR Look up ODI 10278310 at NHTSA ↗	517.9% ODI 10055275 · 9,500 mi THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. NM MR Look up ODI 10055275 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10109231 THE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLS DOWN DURING COLD WEATHER, CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO SINK DOWN ON THE WHEELS. A WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON INFORMING THE DRIVER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK Look up ODI 10109231 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	222.2% ODI 10169599 · 81,000 mi AIRBAGS IN 1999 S500 MERCEDES FAILED TO DEPLOY IN FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A UTILITY POLE AT SPEED ESTIMATED BETWEEN 15-25 MPH. DRIVER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. *NM Look up ODI 10169599 at NHTSA ↗	11.2% ODI 10152519 · 67,400 mi VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE THROWING DRIVERS HEAD AND BODY INTO SIDE DOOR/GLASS WINDOWS. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND WAS REPAIRED BY FARMERS INSURANCE REPAIR. AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPLACED!!!! DRIVER SUFFERED UPPER BODY TRAUMA, PARTICULARLY RIB CAGE. TOTAL AIR BAG FAILURE. *NM Look up ODI 10152519 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 10229908 · 46,000 mi WHEN A PASSANGER SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT THEIR WEIGHT ENABLES THE AIR BAGS TO WORK. HOWEVER AFTER THEY HAVE SAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE THE SRS LIGHT COMES ON AND DISABLES THE AIR BAGS. IF THE PASSANGER SITS IN THE SEAT AND BRINGS THEIR LEGS AS CLOSE TO THE FRONT SEAT AS POSSIBLE THE SRS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND DISABLE THE FRONT AIR BAGS EVEN THOUGH THEIR IS A PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS SENSOR IS THE CHILD SEAT SENSOR ON MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ 430S. *TR Look up ODI 10229908 at NHTSA ↗	24.2% ODI 10274243 · 78,139 mi MY CAR IS AN 2002 MERCEDES S430 AIRMATIC SYSTEM FAILURE STRUTS AND PUMP FIRST THE STRUTS FAILED IN NOV 2008 WHICH LOWERS THE CAR ON TOP OF THE TIRES AND MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. NOW IN JUNE 2009, THE PUMP FAILED WHICH LOWERED THE CAR ON TOP OF THE TIRES AND MAKES AND CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. IF THIS SYSTEM FAILS WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR AND DAMAGE THE TIRES AND CAUSE A BLOW-OUT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THESE FAILURES HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS AND HAVE CAUSED INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE COSTS TO OWNERS. … Look up ODI 10274243 at NHTSA ↗	310.7% ODI 10093017 THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYING. SO FAR NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED ON TWO SERVICE TECHS. AND ONE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. DEPLOYMENT IS DO TO A DEFECT. THE CAR IS AN SLK 320. *AK Look up ODI 10093017 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10575184 · 108,749 mi SRS SYSTEM NOT OPERATING ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR Look up ODI 10575184 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10268698 · 38,717 mi AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN 2005 SMART CAR. MAINTENANCE BOOK SAYS GET TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY, SO WE DID. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10268698 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10349604 · 8,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AS THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND REMAINED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SOS SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE (SP1L15000802). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE… Look up ODI 10349604 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1012.3% ODI 10108181 · 75,000 mi AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE US280, AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF MY 2000 MERCEDES S430 SUDDENLY DROPPED ALMOST 12 INCHES. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH SAYING SOMETHING LIKE: CAR TOO LOW, STOP IMMEDIATELY. *AK AS I TURNED THE STEARING WHEEL TO EXIT TO THE ROAD'S SHOULDER, A LOAD SQUEALING SOUND BEGAN BECAUSE MY WHEELS WERE STRIKING THE CAR'S WHEEL WELLS. THEREFORE, I HAD TO SLOWLY NAVIGATE TO THE RIGHT SO THAT MY TIRES WEREN'T TORN TO SHREADS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PARK AVENUE MOTORS AND THEY REPLACED A HYDRAULIC PUMP THAT CONTROLS RAISING AN… Look up ODI 10108181 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.2% ODI 10182366 · 69,000 mi I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S-430 WITH 69,000 MILES THAT I PURCHASED NEW. ON FEBRUARY 7TH & 8TH I HAD THE DEALER PERFORM A SCHEDULED SERVICING OF MY CAR WHICH WAS AN EXTENSIVE CHECKUP (COST OVER $1,000) DESPITE HAVING NO PROBLEMS. THE FOLLOWING DAY MY FAMILY TOOK AN AUTOMOBILE TRIP OF 140 MILES. ON FEBRUARY 10TH, WHILE DRIVING I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE CAR'S WARNING SYSTEM ALERTED ME TO STOP THE CAR AND NOT DRIVE IT. AFTER TALKING TO MERCEDES ON THEIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DEALE… Look up ODI 10182366 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% 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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	49,281–99,742 mi	86,000 mi	18	ODI 10159079 · 87,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN DIMMING INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK. AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE ILLUMINATED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AK Look up ODI 10159079 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10160774 · 49,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 10160766 PERTAINING TO THE THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.AK Look up ODI 10160774 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10161499 · 112,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THE DASHBOARD PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. ALSO THE KEY SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE SENSOR PREVENTED THE KEY FROM TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF. AS A RESULT OF THE MALFUNCTION THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AND THE KEY SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MODEL IS A S430.THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. … Look up ODI 10161499 at NHTSA ↗
Interior Lighting	56,681–115,604 mi	94,800 mi	16	ODI 10142662 · 39,000 mi MY 200 S430 PANEL WAS BLACK OUT EVEN THE ENGINE WAS TURN ON. AFTER A FEW TRIES AND RESET, IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. JB Look up ODI 10142662 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10162759 · 62,575 mi ON 7/16/06 THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY MERCEDES 2000 S500 [XXX] WENT COMPLETELY BLANK. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING OFF FROM SMYTHE EUROPEAN DEALERSHIP (SAN JOSE, CA) FOR A/C REPAIR AND TO REPROGRAM A REMOTE KEY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $ 2400.00. I QUOTED RECALL NUMBER 06V028000 FROM THE NHTSA AND I AM NOT GETTING A FAVORABLE RESPONSE. NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C… Look up ODI 10162759 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10162781 · 82,100 mi WHILE DRIVING OUR 2000 S-500 MERCEDES, WE NOTICED THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD BEGIN TO FLICKER ON & OFF?! AT CERTAIN MOMENTS, THE LIGHTS WHICH ILLUMINATE THE GAUGES WOULD ACTUALLY GO OFF COMPLETELY BRIEFLY SO IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE INFOS ON THE DASH BOARD. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR MECHANIC WHOM INFORMED US THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY A RECALL FOR THE DEFECT OUR CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNDER NHTSA'S CAMPAIGN ID #06V028000. WE CALLED MERCEDES @ [phone removed] & WAS INFORMED BY PATRICIA ROSADO THERE IS NO RECALL BUT MERELY A "SERVICE ISSUE" T… Look up ODI 10162781 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	74,515–98,300 mi	76,000 mi	9	ODI 10108181 · 75,000 mi AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE US280, AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF MY 2000 MERCEDES S430 SUDDENLY DROPPED ALMOST 12 INCHES. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH SAYING SOMETHING LIKE: CAR TOO LOW, STOP IMMEDIATELY. AK AS I TURNED THE STEARING WHEEL TO EXIT TO THE ROAD'S SHOULDER, A LOAD SQUEALING SOUND BEGAN BECAUSE MY WHEELS WERE STRIKING THE CAR'S WHEEL WELLS. THEREFORE, I HAD TO SLOWLY NAVIGATE TO THE RIGHT SO THAT MY TIRES WEREN'T TORN TO SHREADS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PARK AVENUE MOTORS AND THEY REPLACED A HYDRAULIC PUMP THAT CONTROLS RAISING AN… Look up ODI 10108181 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10137686 · 80,000 mi DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF MY CAR DROP. NM Look up ODI 10137686 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10166081 · 46,120 mi 1) THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE FOR ONE WEEK WHILE I WAS AWAY. 2) UPON RETURN, THE WHOLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REST ONLY 3 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED! 3) OUTCOMES: MILEAGE: 46120 REPAIRED: $2050.84: REPLACED BOTH FRONT AIR SUSPENSIONS, REPLACED HYDROPNEUMAT RELIEF VALVE AND COMPRESSOR FOR SIR SUSPENSION CAR VALUE: APPROX. $25,000 4) FOLLOW-UP: TODAY, AUGUST 21, 2006 THERE ARE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS 3 FAILURES. WILL TA… Look up ODI 10166081 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	39,750–124,350 mi	82,200 mi	6	ODI 10171309 · 28,000 mi MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS FLICKERING AND I WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES WEST SPRINGFIELD I NEEDED A NEW CLUSTER AT $1710. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON NEWER S CLASS CARS LIKE MINE, AND MANY COMPLAINTS OF NON-ACTION ON OLDER (2000-2002) CARS ON THE PART OF MERCEDES. NM Look up ODI 10171309 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10171331 · 89,400 mi THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL ON MY S500 2000 MERCEDES BENZ LOST ITS LIGHTING AND THEN LOST ALL ITS FUNCTIONS. MERCEDES HAS RECALLED 36,000 S500 2000 FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION, THIS PROBLEM CONSTITUTES A SAFETY ISSUE AND COSTS APPROXIMATELY 2000 DOLLARS TO CORRECT. I HAD TO PAY THE MONEY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY, IT SHOULD BE. I HAD THE CLUSTER REPLACED AS IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNDER THE CONDITIONS. NM Look up ODI 10171331 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10322512 · 199,264 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEPTEMBER 2009 AIR BLOWER TO HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE. AIR BLOWER WORKED FOR 2 DAYS. RETURNED NOVEMBER 2009 AND WAS TOLD AIR BLOWER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FEBRUARY 2010 AUTOMATIC TRUNK LOCKS QUIT WORKING. NOW TRUNK LOCK ONLY WORKS WITH KEY, NO LONGER AUTOMATIC. MARCH 2010 AIR BLOWER REPLACED. WORKED ONE WEEK, THEN BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL IT NO LONGER WORKS. MARCH 2010 DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, … Look up ODI 10322512 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	57,750–88,500 mi	73,500 mi	6	ODI 10070712 · 46,521 mi MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THE FAILURE OF MY ACCELERATOR TO RESPOND. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I WAS BEGINNING TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE AND THE ACCELARATOR SIMPLY FAILED TO RESPOND. IMMEDIATELY GOT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE PEDAL VALVE SENDER, PEDAL HOUSING ASSEMBLY,AND INPUT NEW CODES FOR THE PEDAL VALVE SENSOR. I WAS CHARGED $361.03. APPARENTLY MANY OF THE S CLASS CARS HAVE COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND I BELIEVE THIS MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED TO CHECK PEDAL VALVE SENSORS AND TO INSTALL A SAFTEY BACK UP OF SOME TYPE. MANY PEOPLE… Look up ODI 10070712 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10229131 · 63,000 mi FAILURE OF "AIRMATIC" SUSPENSION ALLOWS FRONT OF CAR TO DROP DOWN TO THE POINT THAT THE TIRES RUB ON THE FENDERS. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO FAILSAFE TO PREVENT A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY SITUATION. TR Look up ODI 10229131 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10257424 · 56,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RIDE VERY LOW ON A CONSTANT BASIS. THE AIR SUSPENSION INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE AND REMAIN LIT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WOULD LIFT UP AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK IN THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE IN HEIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CUR… Look up ODI 10257424 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Rear	Too few reports for a range	84,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10212739 · 84,000 mi 2000 S 500 AIRMATIC FAILURE. CAR INOPERABLE. TR Look up ODI 10212739 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10230786 · 49,000 mi THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. TR WHEN BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR DROPS DOWN AND THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED, POSING NO HAZARD. BUT WHEN ONLY ONE OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DEVELOPS A SMALL AIR LEAK, THE CAR DOES NOT LOOSE MUCH HEIGHT AND THERE IS LOSS OF TRACTION IN THE TIRE IN THE INVOLVED SIDE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VEHICLE WEIGHT BE… Look up ODI 10230786 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	Too few reports for a range	112,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10263883 · 112,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BECAME SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE BLOWER MOTOR IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V141000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER) IN FEBRUARY OF 2005; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL SHOULD STILL BE VA… Look up ODI 10263883 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	Too few reports for a range	117,831 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10396625 · 151,661 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SUSPENSION HAD DROPPED AND WAS NOT POSITIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THERE WAS A FRONT SUSPENSION KIT THAT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THE KIT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. T… Look up ODI 10396625 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2009: 1 complaints · 2012: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2009	0	1	1
2012	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2009	2	0	0
2012	1	0	0

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
Component	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Interior Lighting	Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	Electrical System	Suspension	Suspension:Rear	Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	Suspension:Front
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	—	4 ODI 10174389 · 91,600 mi ATTN: ALI MOTAMEDAMIN, SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATOR/INSPECTOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN#: 06V-028. ON APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 14, 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY MERCEDES BENZ 2000 S430 ON INTERSTATE 285 IN ATLANTA, GA., THE DASHBOARD DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS TOTALLY FAILED AND I WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY GAUGES AND INDICATORS WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT APPROX. 65 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH ATLANTA WHO DETERMINED IT TO BE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEING INOPERABLE AND I WAS CHARGED FOR REPLACEMENT ON OCTOBER 19… Look up ODI 10174389 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10219026 · 3 mi ON FEBRUARY 16, 2008 THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, INSTEAD DASH READ SOMETHING LIKE CLUSTER FAILURE WITH A LIGHTNING BOLT IN THE CENTER. THERE WERE NO TURN SIGNALS EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN THE LEVER WAS PUSHED. WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR THE DASH READ 1 MALFUNCTION. I HAVE NOTICED IT WORKING AGAIN, HOWEVER NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. I BROUGHT THIS UP WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL, BUT MY VIN IS OUT OF RANGE. *TR Look up ODI 10219026 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10320221 · 134,500 mi INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 Look up ODI 10320221 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	0
Interior Lighting	4 ODI 10174389 · 91,600 mi ATTN: ALI MOTAMEDAMIN, SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATOR/INSPECTOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN#: 06V-028. ON APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 14, 2005 WHILE DRIVING MY MERCEDES BENZ 2000 S430 ON INTERSTATE 285 IN ATLANTA, GA., THE DASHBOARD DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS TOTALLY FAILED AND I WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY GAUGES AND INDICATORS WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT APPROX. 65 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH ATLANTA WHO DETERMINED IT TO BE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEING INOPERABLE AND I WAS CHARGED FOR REPLACEMENT ON OCTOBER 19… Look up ODI 10174389 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10219026 · 3 mi ON FEBRUARY 16, 2008 THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, INSTEAD DASH READ SOMETHING LIKE CLUSTER FAILURE WITH A LIGHTNING BOLT IN THE CENTER. THERE WERE NO TURN SIGNALS EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHEN THE LEVER WAS PUSHED. WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR THE DASH READ 1 MALFUNCTION. I HAVE NOTICED IT WORKING AGAIN, HOWEVER NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. I BROUGHT THIS UP WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL, BUT MY VIN IS OUT OF RANGE. *TR Look up ODI 10219026 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10320221 · 134,500 mi INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 Look up ODI 10320221 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	2 ODI 10322512 · 199,264 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEPTEMBER 2009 AIR BLOWER TO HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE. AIR BLOWER WORKED FOR 2 DAYS. RETURNED NOVEMBER 2009 AND WAS TOLD AIR BLOWER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FEBRUARY 2010 AUTOMATIC TRUNK LOCKS QUIT WORKING. NOW TRUNK LOCK ONLY WORKS WITH KEY, NO LONGER AUTOMATIC. MARCH 2010 AIR BLOWER REPLACED. WORKED ONE WEEK, THEN BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL IT NO LONGER WORKS. MARCH 2010 DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, … Look up ODI 10322512 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10408760 · 24,568 mi MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 CLUSTER ,BACK LIGHTING , SPEEDOMETER FAILED (UNABLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON APRIL ,3 2011 MILEAGE AT TIME OF DEFECT 24,568 I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND , I WAS INFORM THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED (RECALL). SO I CALLED THE MERCEDES[phone removed] NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THE SAME I WAS COVERED BUT EXPIRED. SO I CALLED NHTSA 1800 NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD STILL BE COVERED BECAUSE THE RECALL TOOK PLACE IN 2006 AND IT IS 10 YEARS BEFORE IT EXPI… Look up ODI 10408760 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	2 ODI 10322512 · 199,264 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEPTEMBER 2009 AIR BLOWER TO HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE. AIR BLOWER WORKED FOR 2 DAYS. RETURNED NOVEMBER 2009 AND WAS TOLD AIR BLOWER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FEBRUARY 2010 AUTOMATIC TRUNK LOCKS QUIT WORKING. NOW TRUNK LOCK ONLY WORKS WITH KEY, NO LONGER AUTOMATIC. MARCH 2010 AIR BLOWER REPLACED. WORKED ONE WEEK, THEN BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL IT NO LONGER WORKS. MARCH 2010 DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, … Look up ODI 10322512 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10408760 · 24,568 mi MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 CLUSTER ,BACK LIGHTING , SPEEDOMETER FAILED (UNABLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON APRIL ,3 2011 MILEAGE AT TIME OF DEFECT 24,568 I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND , I WAS INFORM THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED (RECALL). SO I CALLED THE MERCEDES[phone removed] NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THE SAME I WAS COVERED BUT EXPIRED. SO I CALLED NHTSA 1800 NUMBER THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD STILL BE COVERED BECAUSE THE RECALL TOOK PLACE IN 2006 AND IT IS 10 YEARS BEFORE IT EXPI… Look up ODI 10408760 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10161986 DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OVERHEATING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AS RELATED TO RECALL #00V141000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BLOW MOTOR AND THE REGULATOR NEEDED REPAIRS HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER TO CONFIRM THE ANALYSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STILL PERSIST. THE DEALER STATED A BLOWER MOTOR WAS NEEDED FOR … Look up ODI 10161986 at NHTSA ↗	0
Suspension	0	0	0	0	—	2 ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339212 THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10339212 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339212 THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10339212 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Rear	0	0	0	0	2 ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339212 THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10339212 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	2 ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339212 THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10339212 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner	0	0	0	1 ODI 10161986 DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OVERHEATING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AS RELATED TO RECALL #00V141000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BLOW MOTOR AND THE REGULATOR NEEDED REPAIRS HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER TO CONFIRM THE ANALYSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STILL PERSIST. THE DEALER STATED A BLOWER MOTOR WAS NEEDED FOR … Look up ODI 10161986 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Suspension:Front	0	0	0	0	2 ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339212 THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10339212 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10303020 · 84,000 mi I'M PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, AS A SIMPLE SEARCH ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM WOULD REVEAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NATION WIDE. I OWN A 2000 S-CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ (W220 CHASIS), AND I TOO GOT SOME AROMATIC (AIR SUSPENTION) PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A WARNING SIGN SAYING "AROMATIC STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW". I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE STREET BY SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING FROM THE FRICTION OF THE WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST THE BUMP… Look up ODI 10303020 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339212 THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM ON MY MERCEDES BENZ S-500 HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE CAR-BODY DROPPED AND IS RESTING ON THE TIRES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR Look up ODI 10339212 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

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.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10230786 · 49,000 mi

Look up ODI 10230786 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10232454

THIS CAR HAS AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHICH HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NO SPRINGS, INSTEAD EACH SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR DROPS DOWN AND THE CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED. WHEN ONLY ONE OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DEVELOPS A SMALL AIR LEAK, THE CAR DOES NOT LOOSE MUCH HEIGHT AND THERE IS LOSS OF TRACTION IN THE TIRE IN THE INVOLVED SIDE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT VEHICLE WEIGHT BEING APPLIED TO IT. THIS LOSS OF…

Look up ODI 10232454 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10245441 · 112,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS A SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE PEDAL AND REGULATES THE SPEED. IF THE SWITCH FAILS TO CONNECT, THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV. IF IT FALLS SHORT, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO FULL ACCELERATION WHETHER IT IS IN REVERSE OR PARK. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AT MAXIMUM SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE…

Look up ODI 10245441 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 57,060 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10166081 · 46,120 mi

1) THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE FOR ONE WEEK WHILE I WAS AWAY. 2) UPON RETURN, THE WHOLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REST ONLY 3 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED! 3) OUTCOMES: MILEAGE: 46120 REPAIRED: $2050.84: REPLACED BOTH FRONT AIR SUSPENSIONS, REPLACED HYDROPNEUMAT RELIEF VALVE AND COMPRESSOR FOR SIR SUSPENSION CAR VALUE: APPROX. $25,000 4) FOLLOW-UP: TODAY, AUGUST 21, 2006 THERE ARE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS 3 FAILURES. WILL TA…

Look up ODI 10166081 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10192385 · 68,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DROPPED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AIR COMPRESSOR THAT CONTROLS THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW…

Look up ODI 10192385 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 69,869 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10142132 · 69,869 mi

Look up ODI 10142132 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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