2012 Mercedes Benz S CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 |
Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
2012: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10454119 · 2012-04-11 (April 11, 2012)
2012 MERCEDES S550. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SLID BACKWARDS IN PARKING LOT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY ISSUE WAS REGARDING THE VEHICLE BEING PUT IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THREE WEEKS AGO, HE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF PARKING HIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR, HE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SLID BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MINUTE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10454119 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 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 10137827FAILURE: 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 | 1130.6%ODI 10133955 · 49,700 miVEHICLE 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, … | 510.4%ODI 10083037WHILE DRIVING, I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN MY MERCEDES. POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, LIGHTS, DISPLAY, POWER WINDOWS ETC.*AK | 517.9%ODI 10029303 · 3,000 miRE: 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… | 320.0%ODI 10076163 · 4,000 miWHILE 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 | 150.0%ODI 10268698 · 38,717 miAIRBAG 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 | 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 miDT*: 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 | 616.7%ODI 10163101 · 103,200 miDT*: 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 | 612.5%ODI 10156943 · 59,475 miFAILURE OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB | 13.6%ODI 10262744 · 75,000 miTHE 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 | 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 miMY 200 S430 PANEL WAS BLACK OUT EVEN THE ENGINE WAS TURN ON. AFTER A FEW TRIES AND RESET, IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *JB | 719.4%ODI 10133955 · 49,700 miVEHICLE 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, … | 48.3%ODI 10170182 · 92,000 miINSTRUMENT 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 | 27.1%ODI 10262744 · 75,000 miTHE 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 | 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 10253298MERCEDES S-CLASS W220 AIRMATIC PROBLEMS,DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ! THEY ARE SUCKING USS OUTTTTTT! *TR | 89.9%ODI 10070712 · 46,521 miMY 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… | 25.6%ODI 10239277 · 129,000 miTL*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,… | 1225.0%ODI 10150390 · 5,100 miAFTER 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 | 414.3%ODI 10235915 · 73,000 miTHE 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… | 16.7%ODI 10256937 · 86,666 miIN 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 … | 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 miI'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… | 25.6%ODI 10283045 · 67,000 mi2001 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 | 36.3%ODI 10278310 · 88,000 miREGULAR DRIVING THEN FRONT RIGHT OF CAR FALLS TO THE GROUND. *TR | 517.9%ODI 10055275 · 9,500 miTHE 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 | 16.7%ODI 10109231THE 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 | 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 miAIRBAGS 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 | 11.2%ODI 10152519 · 67,400 miVEHICLE 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 | 12.8%ODI 10229908 · 46,000 miWHEN 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 | 24.2%ODI 10274243 · 78,139 miMY 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. … | 310.7%ODI 10093017THE 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 | 16.7%ODI 10575184 · 108,749 miSRS SYSTEM NOT OPERATING ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR | 150.0%ODI 10268698 · 38,717 miAIRBAG 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 | 150.0%ODI 10349604 · 8,000 miTL* 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… | 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 miAS 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 24.2%ODI 10182366 · 69,000 miI 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… | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2009: 1 complaints · 2012: 1 complaints
| 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
| 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 | Power Train |
|---|---|
| Power Train | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.