U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz S CLASS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

271 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

81,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 to 2012 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 219 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 271 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	46	17.0%
Braking behavior	19	7.0%
Steering behavior	17	6.3%
Engine operation	9	3.3%
Transmission and shifting	4	1.5%
Fuel system concerns	1	0.4%

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

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Interior Lighting

Suspension

Suspension:Front

Air Bags

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	52
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	34
Interior Lighting	30
Suspension	28
Suspension:Front	14
Air Bags	12
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	12
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	12

Electrical System: 52; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 34; Interior Lighting: 30; Suspension: 28; Suspension:Front: 14; Air Bags: 12; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 12; Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System: 12

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: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 53; 100,000 to 149,999: 52; 150,000 and above: 19

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (53). 52 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.

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

1999: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2002: 4; 2003: 8; 2004: 15; 2005: 19; 2006: 57; 2007: 30; 2008: 35; 2009: 25; 2010: 30; 2011: 24; 2012: 12; 2013: 3; 2014: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 46 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 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 10159330 · 2006-06-08 (June 8, 2006)

ENGINE HARNESS, BODY HARNESS AND MASS AIR SENSOR FAILED DUE TO DETERIOATION OF WIRING HARNESS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 129,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159330 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10177675 · 2007-01-03 (January 3, 2007)

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE, DETERIORATION DUE TO SUBSTANDARD WIRING INSULATION FOR ENGINE ENVIRONMENT (HEAT, ETC). WIRING SUBSTANDARD WHEN CONSIDERING THE ORIGINAL EXPENSE FOR THESE "QUALITY VEHICLES". MERCEDES SHOULD GOODWILL THE EXPENSE FOR HARNESS REPLACEMENTS AND STAND UP FOR THEIR PRODUCTS! ALTHOUGH THIS "LUXURY" MERCEDES IS A 1994 S-420, IT IS ""AS NEW" AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MERCEDES"PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED! THE MERCEDES ENGINEER'S LET US (THE CONSUMERS) DOWN! *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177675 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10289906 · 2009-10-26 (October 26, 2009)

1995 MERCEDES S420 ASR COME ON WHILE DRIVING CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO STIFFEN AND DRIVING DIFFICULT IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING. WHILE ASR LIGHT IS ON WHILE DRIVING EASING UP OFF GAS PEDAL CAUSES CAR TO JERK FORWARD WHILE BRAKING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289906 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10323643 · 2010-04-04 (April 4, 2010)

MY ASR LIGHT IS ON IN MY CAR WHICH IS A MERCEDES BENZ S600 DO TO A BAD WIRING HARNESS ON THE CAR,AND IT PUTS OUT A BIG BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE WHILE DRIVING,I TOOK THE ASR FUSE OUT AND IT STOPS BUT I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN BECAUSE THE ABS/AND THE SRS LIGHT COME ON ALSO. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 149,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323643 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10586858 · 2014-05-06 (May 6, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES S420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STEER TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A CONNECTOR FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FLOOD THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586858 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 10235044 · 2008-07-20 (July 20, 2008)

I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ S600 THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT IT START STALLING ONCE I WAS PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC I WAS ALMOST A GONER AND THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURRING AND THEN I TOOK IT IN TO A MB MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND IT HAD MANY TROUBLE CODES BUT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE WIRE HARNESS IT WAS COMING A PART AND CAUSING SHORTS IN FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL WHEN I FOUND OUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235044 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10112214 · 2005-02-26 (February 26, 2005)

EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE FAULTS IN MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S600. SURGING ENGINE, INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE. INSPECTION OF WIRING HARNESS CONTROLLING ENGINE SHOWS DEGRADING WIRING INSULATION. MANY CRACKS IN INSULATION ARE CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, SURGING, AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS WILL REQUIRE THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED. THE WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN PERFORMED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10157585 · 2006-05-15 (May 15, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT END MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SUPPORT LINK, REAR ENGINE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, AND MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157585 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 898594 · 2001-10-31 (October 31, 2001)

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 70 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT IT DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT, ENGINE ROARING AND RPMS IN RED. CONSUMER STEERED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND APPLIED PARK BRAKE, PULLED KEY FROM IGNITION AND JUMPED OUT OF VEHICLE. ENGINE CONTINUED TO ROAR FOR 2-3 MINUTES THEN STALLED, BLACK SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. 6 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS DEALER DID $ 7200.00 OF ENGINE WORK. DEALER DETERMINED THE ACCELERATION WAS CAUSED BY A JAMMED FUEL INJECTOR PUMP.*AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 898594 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2009

2012

1996: 1; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 5; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz S CLASS model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1994	12	0	Not available
1995	27	0	0
1996	6	1	+1
1997	2	0	-1
1998	2	0	0
1999	9	0	0
2000	81	5	+5
2001	36	5	0
2002	48	2	-3
2003	28	2	0
2004	15	4	+2
2005	2	1	-3
2009	2	1	Not available
2012	1	1	Not available

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

80.8%Usable mileage219 / 271 records

98.9%Valid incident date268 / 271 records

100.0%Valid filing date271 / 271 records

98.9%Ordered incident and filing dates268 / 271 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	48,775–134,500 mi	92,700 mi	44	ODI 10235044 · 155,000 mi I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ S600 THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT IT START STALLING ONCE I WAS PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC I WAS ALMOST A GONER AND THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURRING AND THEN I TOOK IT IN TO A MB MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND IT HAD MANY TROUBLE CODES BUT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE WIRE HARNESS IT WAS COMING A PART AND CAUSING SHORTS IN FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL WHEN I FOUND OUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10235044 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10236311 · 359,000 mi ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS CORRODED CAUSING SEVERE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. TR Look up ODI 10236311 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10236564 · 96,700 mi TWO REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT MERCEDES MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IN MY 1994 S420 IS DECAYING WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED MY LH CONTROL UNIT, AND M.A.F TO FAIL TO MALFUNCTION AND THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN MERCEDES VEHICLES MADE FROM 1991-1996. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PART BEFORE MORE SERIOUS EVENTS OCCUR DUE TO THE FLAW IN MERCEDES MANUFACTURING PROCESS FROM 1991-1996 . AK TR Look up ODI 10236564 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	54,053–103,650 mi	86,000 mi	32	ODI 10208707 · 53,613 mi ENGINE RUNS ERRATIC, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING TEMP GAUGE, SRS, FUEL INJECTION. CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START AND OTHERS STARTS IMMEDIATELY. REPAIR SHOP SAYS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS REPLACING. TR Look up ODI 10208707 at NHTSA ↗ 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 ↗
Interior Lighting	49,700–110,000 mi	91,600 mi	29	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	54,500–97,712 mi	74,000 mi	23	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:Front	67,000–102,000 mi	84,500 mi	9	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 TLTHE 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 ↗ 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 ↗
Air Bags	47,000–77,354 mi	70,700 mi	10	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 ↗ 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 ↗ 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 ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	93,500–158,750 mi	130,000 mi	10	ODI 10177675 · 133,000 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE, DETERIORATION DUE TO SUBSTANDARD WIRING INSULATION FOR ENGINE ENVIRONMENT (HEAT, ETC). WIRING SUBSTANDARD WHEN CONSIDERING THE ORIGINAL EXPENSE FOR THESE "QUALITY VEHICLES". MERCEDES SHOULD GOODWILL THE EXPENSE FOR HARNESS REPLACEMENTS AND STAND UP FOR THEIR PRODUCTS! ALTHOUGH THIS "LUXURY" MERCEDES IS A 1994 S-420, IT IS ""AS NEW" AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MERCEDES"PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED! THE MERCEDES ENGINEER'S LET US (THE CONSUMERS) DOWN! NM Look up ODI 10177675 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10112214 · 125,000 mi EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE CHECK ENGINE FAULTS IN MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S600. SURGING ENGINE, INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE. INSPECTION OF WIRING HARNESS CONTROLLING ENGINE SHOWS DEGRADING WIRING INSULATION. MANY CRACKS IN INSULATION ARE CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, SURGING, AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS WILL REQUIRE THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED. THE WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN PERFORMED. JB Look up ODI 10112214 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10149260 · 127,000 mi WIRING HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED FROM THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE SENSORS INCLUDING WIRES THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL INJECTION. WIRES ARE BARE AND TOUCHING. VEHICLE SMELLS ON FUEL BUT THERE ARE NO LEAKS TO BE FOUND. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED PICTURES. THIS IS NOT SOME 11,000 HYUNDAI GUYS. THIS IS A 142,000 S600 MERCEDES. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF DID NOT BURN TO DEATH SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. *NM Look up ODI 10149260 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	71,758–91,650 mi	76,000 mi	11	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 ↗

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	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Interior Lighting	Suspension	Suspension:Front	Air Bags	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System
Electrical System	—	1 ODI 10163785 · 77,000 mi DEFECT IN MERCEDES BENZ 2001 S500 WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER YOU LOOSE ALL YOUR IN DASH LIGHTS, GAUGES THE WHOLE PANEL GOES DEAD YOU CAN'T TELL HOW FAST YOUR GOING, HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE ,OR IF YOUR CAR IS OVERHEATED, NOTHING WORKS, NO MILES,NOTHING THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND MERCEDES IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM,THERE DROPPING THE BALL I WENT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT COST 2300.00 TO REPAIR THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ,THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD A RECALL IS VERY MUCH NEEDED THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THIS PR… Look up ODI 10163785 at NHTSA ↗	7 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 ↗ 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 ↗	0	0	1 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 ↗	0	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	1 ODI 10163785 · 77,000 mi DEFECT IN MERCEDES BENZ 2001 S500 WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER YOU LOOSE ALL YOUR IN DASH LIGHTS, GAUGES THE WHOLE PANEL GOES DEAD YOU CAN'T TELL HOW FAST YOUR GOING, HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE ,OR IF YOUR CAR IS OVERHEATED, NOTHING WORKS, NO MILES,NOTHING THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND MERCEDES IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM,THERE DROPPING THE BALL I WENT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT COST 2300.00 TO REPAIR THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ,THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD A RECALL IS VERY MUCH NEEDED THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THIS PR… Look up ODI 10163785 at NHTSA ↗	—	6 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
Interior Lighting	7 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 ↗ 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 ↗	6 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
Suspension	0	0	0	—	4 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 ↗ ODI 10273771 INCIDENT ONE: 1. WHILE DRIVING IN ATLANTA, GA IN FEBRUARY OF 2007. THE FRONT AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE CROSSING AN "INACTIVE" RAILROAD TRACK. JUST IMAGINE IF IT WAS ACTIVE. MERCEDES-BENZ TOWED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE DEFECT. 2. A FEW DAYS AGO, I'M DRIVING ON A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD AND MY CAR STARTS TO LOWER. AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. HOW MANY TIMES WILL SOMEONE NEED TO REPORT THIS "SAFETY HAZARD" TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTR… Look up ODI 10273771 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10253298 MERCEDES S-CLASS W220 AIRMATIC PROBLEMS,DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ! THEY ARE SUCKING USS OUTTTTTT! *TR Look up ODI 10253298 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10292477 · 74,000 mi I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT OR WILL NOT BE A RECALL ON THE "SUSPENSION" ISSUE. I TOO HAD THE FATE OF MY CAR COLLAPSING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK-WHICH IS 35 MILES AWAY-IT HAPPENED. ON THE DASH IT STATED IN BID BOLD LETTERS "AIRMATIC CAR TOO LOW". I PULLED OVER AND STEPPED OUT-MY HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THROUGH MY CHEST. EVERYONE IN THAT SITUATION UNDERSTANDS JUST HOW I FELT AT THAT TIME. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY COVERING HALF OF THE FRONT TIRES-IF I TURNED THE WHEEL IT WOULD HAVE SCRAPED THE FENDERS. I LEFT THE C… Look up ODI 10292477 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Suspension:Front	0	0	0	4 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 ↗ ODI 10273771 INCIDENT ONE: 1. WHILE DRIVING IN ATLANTA, GA IN FEBRUARY OF 2007. THE FRONT AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE CROSSING AN "INACTIVE" RAILROAD TRACK. JUST IMAGINE IF IT WAS ACTIVE. MERCEDES-BENZ TOWED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE DEFECT. 2. A FEW DAYS AGO, I'M DRIVING ON A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD AND MY CAR STARTS TO LOWER. AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. HOW MANY TIMES WILL SOMEONE NEED TO REPORT THIS "SAFETY HAZARD" TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTR… Look up ODI 10273771 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Air Bags	1 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 ↗	0	0	2 ODI 10253298 MERCEDES S-CLASS W220 AIRMATIC PROBLEMS,DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ! THEY ARE SUCKING USS OUTTTTTT! *TR Look up ODI 10253298 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10292477 · 74,000 mi I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT OR WILL NOT BE A RECALL ON THE "SUSPENSION" ISSUE. I TOO HAD THE FATE OF MY CAR COLLAPSING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK-WHICH IS 35 MILES AWAY-IT HAPPENED. ON THE DASH IT STATED IN BID BOLD LETTERS "AIRMATIC CAR TOO LOW". I PULLED OVER AND STEPPED OUT-MY HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THROUGH MY CHEST. EVERYONE IN THAT SITUATION UNDERSTANDS JUST HOW I FELT AT THAT TIME. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY COVERING HALF OF THE FRONT TIRES-IF I TURNED THE WHEEL IT WOULD HAVE SCRAPED THE FENDERS. I LEFT THE C… Look up ODI 10292477 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System	0	0	0	0	0	0	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

5 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

12 mentions · 4.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 68,000 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 10112214 · 125,000 mi

Look up ODI 10112214 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10248018 · 178,300 mi

I HAVE A 1995 MERCEDES S320. THE 'CHECK ENGINE' IS ON, INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES DEALER SHOP, AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAVE 8 FAULT CODES. THE FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS IS HARD AND BRITTLE. IT TOOK THEM 4 HOURS TO FIND THE FIX THE SHORT. THE REPAIR COST IS $400. THE FIX DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AS THE 'CHECK ENGINE' WILL COME ON AFTER 50 MILES! THE MB SHOP ALSO RECOMMEND THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED, COST ~$1,200 FOR THE PART (NOT INCLUDING LABOR). I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT FROM MERCEDES AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL/CO…

Look up ODI 10248018 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10237453 · 121,000 mi

JUST CAME BACK FROM VACATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE. STOPPING AT THE GAS STATION WE NOTICED THE SMOKE COMING OUT THE HOOD. TEMPERATURE WAS RISING TO A 100 C. SINCE THEN EVEN IN LOCAL DRIVING TEMPERATURE GOES OVER NORMAL. I AM VERY CONCERNED. DID NOT CHECK WITH SERVICE YET. *TR

Look up ODI 10237453 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,000 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10235044 · 155,000 mi

Look up ODI 10235044 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10112214 · 125,000 mi

Look up ODI 10112214 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10172649 · 134,000 mi

MY 1995 MERCEDES S320 HAS BEEN STALLING AND MISFIRING AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START UP. I TOOK IT FOR TUNE UP, BUT THE MECHANIC SAID HE CANT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE FAULT WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FROM FACTORY IS PEELING OFF AND MAKING THE WIRES SHORT-CIRCUIT AND IF HE TRIES TO DO ANYTHING IT WILL MAKE IT WORSE,I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MERCEDES OWNERS WITH EARLIER AND MID 90S WHO HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND YOU SHOULD PETITION THE MANUFACTURER ON OUR BEHALF. *NM

Look up ODI 10172649 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

7 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 49,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 890184

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE GARAGE CONSUMER'S CHILD BUMPED PARK PAWL CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS OUT OF GARGE AND DOWN DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER JUMPED HEAD FRIST THROUGH WINDOW AND DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL BY HAND TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Look up ODI 890184 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 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 ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

7 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 60,816 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10586858 · 143,000 mi

Look up ODI 10586858 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10142132 · 69,869 mi

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

Look up ODI 10142132 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 98,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10289906 · 98,000 mi

Look up ODI 10289906 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule