2003 Mercedes Benz S600: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
63,988 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 5 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
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 6 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 4 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Suspension: 4; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10258517 · 2009-02-12 (February 12, 2009)
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL FLUID LEAK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10258517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294645 · 2009-12-06 (December 6, 2009)
MERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEEL/TIRES ON 11/16/2009. THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT DUE TO CORROSION THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE ALREADY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL; …
Owner-reported narrative. 56,772 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294652 · 2009-12-06 (December 6, 2009)
MERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEELS/TIRES ON 12/03/2009 AGAIN AFTER THE CAR'S ABC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/2009 AT MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ. I HAVE REPORTED SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ABC SYSTEM QUALITY PROBLEM (ODI NUMBER IS: 10294645). THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR CHECKS AT SAME DAY AND THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. 56,923 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10380101 · 2011-02-03 (February 3, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DISTRIBUTION HOSE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT HIS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,988.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,988 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10604565 · 2014-06-19 (June 19, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780704 · 2015-10-08 (October 8, 2015)
WHILE MY DAUGHTER DRIVING MY CAR ABC LIGHT CAME ON AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND HAD ACCIDENT. CAR WENT OVER THE CENTER LINE, CLIMBED OVER BARRICADE AND DESTROYED THE CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTLALED THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE BLEW UP AND CAR WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOTTOM OF THE SUSPENSION, MERCEDES DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILTY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET I FOUND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS FOR THE INCIDENTS LIKE THIS.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780704 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V228000 · Suspension
Reported: 2004-05-13 (May 13, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY. OVER TIME, CORROSION MAY DETERIORATE THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW, CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 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 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 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. | 923.7%ODI 10189989 · 57,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAULTY SEAL WAS ALLOWING OIL TO ENTER THE WIRING OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE DEALER ALSO FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON TOP OF THE ENGINE CAUSED BY THE OIL COOLER. THIS FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000. | 545.5%ODI 10229469 · 118,500 miTHE MERCEDES S600 HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES A MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM THE OIL COOLER THAT IS EMBEDDED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS REQUIRES THE INTAKE AND HEADS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE OIL COOLER AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $5K. SPECIAL CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO CLEAN THE OIL FROM THE WIRING HARNESS, TRANSMISSION AND AREAS THAT HAS BEEN SOAKED BY THE OIL LEAK. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO RE-OCCUR EVERY 50-100K MILES. AS A KNOWN PROBLEM, MERCEDES HAS NOT ASSUMED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10427156 · 729,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL FAILED AND CAUSED THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. | 150.0%ODI 10713599 · 60,000 mi2005 HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2004 RECALL BUT MERCEDES BENZ DOSE NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES. THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE. CONSEQUENCE: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE: JULY 2, 2007 NHTSA … | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 615.8%ODI 10214790 · 84,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR TWO WEEKS, THE SUSPENSION SHIFTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V228000 (SUSPENSION). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,420 AND FAILURE M… | 327.3%ODI 10393645THE CAR WAS LEAKING OIL AND HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE CAR WOULD NOT RAISE UP AND WAS LEAKING OIL AS FAST AS IT WAS PUT IN. IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. COULD NOT FIX IT I HAD TO PARK IT. | 466.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10713599 · 60,000 mi2005 HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2004 RECALL BUT MERCEDES BENZ DOSE NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES. THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE. CONSEQUENCE: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE: JULY 2, 2007 NHTSA … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10660404 · 151,000 miAS I WAS LEAVING WORK I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY TO GET HOME AND 20 MINUTES LATER I PULLED INTO MY DEVELOPMENT WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL OF ITS POWER AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. FIRST I PANICKED THEN I EXITED THE CAR AND POPPED OPEN THE HOOD. ALL THE WIRING CONNECTING TO THE INJECTION HARNESS WERE SMOKING AND THE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE COMPUTER BOX HAD DISINTEGRATED SHOWING BARE COPPER WIRE. I FURTHER INSPECTED AND THE COATING HAD COME OFF THE WIRING INTO THE COMPUTER BOX. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME ABOUT THE WIRING THAT MERCEDES BEN… | 4100.0%ODI 10670442 · 160,000 miVEHICLE HAD SOME TYPE OF SHORT EFFECTING ITS RUNNING SMOOTHLY, WHEN TAKEN FOR REPAIR, (MERCEDES/EXOCTIC CAR REPAIR SHOP), I WAS TOLD AND SHOWN THE CRACKED WIRING HARNESS, IT DIDN'T SEEM AS IF THERE WAS ANY WIRE OR PART OF THE WIRING THAT RAN LONGER THEN A INCH BEOFRE RUNNING INTO A MAJOR CRACK TO AND EXPOSING THE WIRE, (BROKEN PLASTIC COVER WHICH SURROUNDS AND PROTECTS THE WIRE). IT WAS REPLACED (A DISCONTINUE ITEM), AND OTHER ELECTRICAL UNITS DAMAGED BY THIS DEFFECTIVE PART. I WAS INFORMED BY THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS … | 1100.0%ODI 11085180 · 93,000 miMY 97 MERCEDES HAS SUFFERED FROM THIS SAME DISINTEGRATING ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT --AND IF IT HASN'T, IT WILL- MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS WILLFULLY PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY'S LIVES IN JEOPARDY, AND THEY HAVE THEIR HAND IN MY WALLET | 37.9%ODI 10167216 · 45,015 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AND FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DEALER ORDERED A NEW CLUSTER FOR THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V028000 PERTAINING TO THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE TURNS SIGNAL VISUAL AND AUDIBLE INDICATORS FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER TO KNOW IF/WHEN TH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10604565 · 115,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. | 125.0%ODI 11098436 · 84,500 miELECTRIC CONSUMERS ONLINE CONSTANTLY COMES IN DASHBOARD AND MALFUNCTION MEMORY NOMALFUNCTION AND BATTERY LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10660404 · 151,000 miAS I WAS LEAVING WORK I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY TO GET HOME AND 20 MINUTES LATER I PULLED INTO MY DEVELOPMENT WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL OF ITS POWER AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. FIRST I PANICKED THEN I EXITED THE CAR AND POPPED OPEN THE HOOD. ALL THE WIRING CONNECTING TO THE INJECTION HARNESS WERE SMOKING AND THE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE COMPUTER BOX HAD DISINTEGRATED SHOWING BARE COPPER WIRE. I FURTHER INSPECTED AND THE COATING HAD COME OFF THE WIRING INTO THE COMPUTER BOX. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME ABOUT THE WIRING THAT MERCEDES BEN… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 615.8%ODI 10824246 · 54,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. | 19.1%ODI 11004677 · 130,000 miMASSIVE OIL LEAK. OIL COOLER. BACK OF ENGINE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10458779 · 86,000 miENGINE ALMOST STARTED ON FIRE AFTER OIL STARTED POURING OUT OF OIL COOLER. HAD CAR TOWED TO GARAGE WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE LEAKING OIL COOLER. ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10547440 · 35,000 miIN REPEATED INCIDENTS, DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR IN MY 2007 MERCEDES BENZ S600 HAD NO EFFECT. I WAS, FOR EXAMPLE, LEFT ADRIFT IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, WITH SEMI-TRAILERS WHIZZING BY AND NO WAY TO ACCELERATE--PURE INERTIA WAS CARRYING THE CAR FORWARD. MERCEDES BENZ'S LARGEST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEALER, AUTOBAHN, WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR MONTHS, EVEN AFTER ADVISING ME THAT THEY WERE "CONFIDENT" THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE, AND THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THEIR CAUSE … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 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. | 615.8%ODI 10239112 · 63,700 miCAR ONLY HAS 64K MILES AND HAS A BAD OIL LEAK. MY GUESS IS THE OIL COOLER. FOR THE PRICE OF THIS CAR I SHOULD NOT HAVE A PUDDLE OF OIL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10380101 · 63,988 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DISTRIBUTION HOSE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT HIS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,988. | 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. |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 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. | 25.3%ODI 10172749 · 55,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE ILLUMINATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. | 218.2%ODI 10166829 · 63,022 mi1. DRIVING VEHICLE ON LONG DISTANCE TRIP 2.. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ALL GAUGES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. REPLACED FUSE TO RESTORE GAUGES, BUT FUSED FAILED WITHIN 5 MINUTES, REPEATED ATTEMPTS RESULTED IN THE SAME OUTAGE. 3. APPOINT WITH DEALER ON 9/11/06 TO REPAIR ESTIMATED $1400 COST. *NM | 116.7%ODI 10604565 · 115,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 37.9%ODI 10165246 · 38,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10668754 · 10,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 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. | 360.0%ODI 10326442 · 47,000 miIN REPEATED INCIDENTS, DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR IN MY 2007 MERCEDES BENZ S600 HAD NO APPRECIABLE EFFECT. I WAS, FOR EXAMPLE, LEFT ADRIFT IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC. MERCEDES BENZ'S LARGEST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR MONTHS, EVEN AFTER ADVISING ME THAT THEY WERE "CONFIDENT" THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE, AND THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THEIR CAUSE GIVES RISE TO SUBSTANTIAL CONCERN THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN OTHER S CLASS VEHICLES. THESE PROB… |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 56,923 mi | 3 (sparse) | ODI 10294645 · 56,772 miMERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEEL/TIRES ON 11/16/2009. THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT DUE TO CORROSION THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE ALREADY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL; … ODI 10294652 · 56,923 miMERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEELS/TIRES ON 12/03/2009 AGAIN AFTER THE CAR'S ABC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/2009 AT MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ. I HAVE REPORTED SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ABC SYSTEM QUALITY PROBLEM (ODI NUMBER IS: 10294645). THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR CHECKS AT SAME DAY AND THEY … ODI 10780704 · 100,000 miWHILE MY DAUGHTER DRIVING MY CAR ABC LIGHT CAME ON AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND HAD ACCIDENT. CAR WENT OVER THE CENTER LINE, CLIMBED OVER BARRICADE AND DESTROYED THE CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTLALED THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE BLEW UP AND CAR WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOTTOM OF THE SUSPENSION, MERCEDES DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILTY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET I FOUND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS FOR THE INCIDENTS LIKE THIS. |
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 115,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10604565 · 115,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | Too few reports for a range | 115,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10604565 · 115,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Too few reports for a range | 56,923 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10294652 · 56,923 miMERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEELS/TIRES ON 12/03/2009 AGAIN AFTER THE CAR'S ABC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/2009 AT MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ. I HAVE REPORTED SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ABC SYSTEM QUALITY PROBLEM (ODI NUMBER IS: 10294645). THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR CHECKS AT SAME DAY AND THEY … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Too few reports for a range | 63,988 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10380101 · 63,988 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DISTRIBUTION HOSE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT HIS ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,988. |
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.
2006: 0 complaints · 2007: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5 | 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 | Suspension | Electrical System | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10294652 · 56,923 miMERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEELS/TIRES ON 12/03/2009 AGAIN AFTER THE CAR'S ABC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/2009 AT MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ. I HAVE REPORTED SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ABC SYSTEM QUALITY PROBLEM (ODI NUMBER IS: 10294645). THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR CHECKS AT SAME DAY AND THEY … | 0 |
| Electrical System | 0 | — | 1ODI 10604565 · 115,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 0 | 1ODI 10604565 · 115,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE NEITHER THE FUEL GAUGE NOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. | — | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1ODI 10294652 · 56,923 miMERCEDES BENZ, S-600 (MODEL 2003), IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR ALMOST LOST CONTROL AFTER IT'S ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) LIGHT FLASHED ON SUDDENLY IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR BODY CAME DOWN GRINDING AGAINST THE WHEELS/TIRES ON 12/03/2009 AGAIN AFTER THE CAR'S ABC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON 11/19/2009 AT MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ. I HAVE REPORTED SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ABC SYSTEM QUALITY PROBLEM (ODI NUMBER IS: 10294645). THE CAR WAS SENT TO MB DEALER IN EDISON, NJ FOR CHECKS AT SAME DAY AND THEY … | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.