Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
50,000 miles · Oct 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
FROM A STOPPED POSITION THERE IS DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED BEFORE THE ENGINE ACTUALLY BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THE DELAY IS APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AND PRESENTS SERIOUS DANGER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO APPROACHING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS WHERE I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SIG…
Read full complaint
FROM A STOPPED POSITION THERE IS DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED BEFORE THE ENGINE ACTUALLY BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THE DELAY IS APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AND PRESENTS SERIOUS DANGER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO APPROACHING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS WHERE I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT HESITATION WITH THE ACCELERATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A FEW TIMES, BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AND NO ERROR FAULTS HAD BEEN LOGGED IN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT INITIALLY BUT IS NOT CONSISTENTLY OCCURRING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SUSPECT MY CASE IS NOT UNIQUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548066
64,530 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS R…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,530. *TR UPDATED 06/07/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ULTIMATELY OFFERED A 20 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON THE PART ONLY. UPDATED 06/13/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10509696
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Mercedes Benz CLS500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration