Mercedes Benz S SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
120,075 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 1995 model years. Data updated: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues
5
55.6%
Engine operation
3
33.3%
Steering behavior
1
11.1%
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
2
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
Air Bags
1
Electrical System:Wiring
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
Power Train
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
2
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
Air Bags
1
Electrical System:Wiring
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
Power Train
1
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
1
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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.
1998
1
2000
1
2007
3
2009
1
2010
3
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
1998
1
2000
1
2007
3
2009
1
2010
3
1998: 1; 2000: 1; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering 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.
I HAVE 1995 MERCEDES S320 AND HAVING VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS....IT'S CRACKED ALL OVER AROUND THE FUEL INJECTIONS & IGNITION COILS AND MANY MORE PLACES.....MERCEDES NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE LAMINATED MATERIAL THEY HAVE USED ON THE WIRES IS VERY VERY CHEAP AND IT'S COMING OFF THE WIRES & LEAVING THEM NACKED AND LEADING INTO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS. *JB
1995 MERCEDES S420 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS-INSULATION AND WIRE DISINTERGRATION CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL AND FALSE INDICATORS AND OVERHEATING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. HOWEVER SHE NOTICED THE "ASR" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE 137,150. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,341. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/08/09
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
9 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
66.7%Usable mileage6 / 9 records
88.9%Valid incident date8 / 9 records
100.0%Valid filing date9 / 9 records
88.9%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 9 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
1995
Electrical System
222.2%ODI 10307023 · 86,800 mi
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING POORLY, ARRIVED HOME AND SMELLED BURNING WIRES. DISCONNECTED BATTERY TO AVOID FURTHER FIRE. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. *CN
1995 MERCEDES S420 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS-INSULATION AND WIRE DISINTERGRATION CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL AND FALSE INDICATORS AND OVERHEATING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FLEX DISK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,020.
I HAVE 1995 MERCEDES S320 AND HAVING VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS....IT'S CRACKED ALL OVER AROUND THE FUEL INJECTIONS & IGNITION COILS AND MANY MORE PLACES.....MERCEDES NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE LAMINATED MATERIAL THEY HAVE USED ON THE WIRES IS VERY VERY CHEAP AND IT'S COMING OFF THE WIRES & LEAVING THEM NACKED AND LEADING INTO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. HOWEVER SHE NOTICED THE "ASR" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE 137,150. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,341. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/08/09
WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ASR LIGHT CAME ON, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. RIGHT AWAY HAD TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO KEEP MOVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER MADE 5 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR IT. BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML
A SULFUR SMELL EMANATES AFTER MY MERCEDES S500V HAS BEEN RUNNING DURING WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS OR WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST HALF AN HOUR WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT. WHEN I PULL INTO MY GARAGE AT HOME, THE SMELL COMES INTO MY HOME. THE SULFUR SMELL IS OFFENSIVE AND I BELIEVE TO BE HAZARDOUS TO MY HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF MY FAMILY. MY FAMILY AND I, AS WELL AS OTHER PASSENGERS, HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED BY THE ODOR. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE CONDITION WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE USE OF MY VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ OF N…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FLEX DISK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,020.
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
Too few reports for a range
94,900 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10307023 · 86,800 mi
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING POORLY, ARRIVED HOME AND SMELLED BURNING WIRES. DISCONNECTED BATTERY TO AVOID FURTHER FIRE. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. *CN
1995 MERCEDES S420 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS-INSULATION AND WIRE DISINTERGRATION CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL AND FALSE INDICATORS AND OVERHEATING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FLEX DISK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,020.
I HAVE 1995 MERCEDES S320 AND HAVING VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS....IT'S CRACKED ALL OVER AROUND THE FUEL INJECTIONS & IGNITION COILS AND MANY MORE PLACES.....MERCEDES NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE LAMINATED MATERIAL THEY HAVE USED ON THE WIRES IS VERY VERY CHEAP AND IT'S COMING OFF THE WIRES & LEAVING THEM NACKED AND LEADING INTO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. HOWEVER SHE NOTICED THE "ASR" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE 137,150. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,341. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/08/09
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FLEX DISK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,020.
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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
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.
1995: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
1995
0
0
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
1995
8
1
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:Wiring:Front Underhood
Air Bags
Electrical System:Wiring
Engine And Engine Cooling
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Power Train
Electrical System
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
Air Bags
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
1ODI 10361066 · 174,020 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FLEX DISK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,020.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FLEX DISK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 174,020.
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
3 mentions · 33.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 119,863 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10200633 · 102,576 mi
1995 MERCEDES S420 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS-INSULATION AND WIRE DISINTERGRATION CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL AND FALSE INDICATORS AND OVERHEATING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. HOWEVER SHE NOTICED THE "ASR" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE 137,150. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,341. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/08/09
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 11.1% of complaints
Median mileage: 137,150 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10291621 · 137,150 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. HOWEVER SHE NOTICED THE "ASR" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE 137,150. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,341. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/08/09