NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
21 reportsClear category filter134,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF UPDATED 07/31/12
NHTSA ODI #10460306
108,976 miles · Mar 5, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ILLUMINATION CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ILLUMINATION CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,976.
NHTSA ODI #10450266
160,000 miles · Nov 23, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10436898
101,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Electrical System
MERCEDES BENZ NEVER INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR AN S500 WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL TO CHANGE THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTING, NOW THAT IT FAILED THE MIAMI MERCEDES DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR ALLEGING THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALL, THAT IT WAS ONLY A WARRANTY EXTENSION BEGINNING IN 2001 FOR 10 YEARS LEAVING ME OUT OF COVERAG…
Read full complaint
MERCEDES BENZ NEVER INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR AN S500 WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL TO CHANGE THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTING, NOW THAT IT FAILED THE MIAMI MERCEDES DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR ALLEGING THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALL, THAT IT WAS ONLY A WARRANTY EXTENSION BEGINNING IN 2001 FOR 10 YEARS LEAVING ME OUT OF COVERAGE SINCE MY CAR IS 2001. I THINK THIS IS UNFAIR TO THE UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND DESIRE TO DO LITTLE FOR THE USERS OF THEIR CARS MY CAR IS WITHIN THE 10 YEARS AND REFUSE TO FIX IT THAT IS MY COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418230
121,987 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDESS430 WHICH HAS A FAILED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED IN 2006 BUT IT WAS LIMITED TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VIN# AND DOES NOT COVER THE WIDESPREAD ISSUES I HAVE UNCOVERED VIA MY RESEARCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS THE LIGHTS GO OUT, NO GAUGES …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDESS430 WHICH HAS A FAILED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED IN 2006 BUT IT WAS LIMITED TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VIN# AND DOES NOT COVER THE WIDESPREAD ISSUES I HAVE UNCOVERED VIA MY RESEARCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS THE LIGHTS GO OUT, NO GAUGES WORK, AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN E.G. YOU COULD ACCIDENTALLY REVERSE, ETC. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ ALONG WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY INDICATE THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS AND THE COST IS EXORBITANT. THIS IS A FATAL ERROR AND CAN NOT BE CORRECTED TO WORK OR FUNCTION AT ALL WITHOUT FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
NHTSA ODI #10414781
102,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING AND MY WHOLE DASH BOARD WENT OUT..COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING, CALLED MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD THIS WASN'T ON RECALL AND WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY..I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT WHEN THIS HAPPEN. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10407546
105,000 miles · May 5, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY DIMMED AND NONE OF THE GAUGES COULD BE READ. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CLUSTER LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF UPDATED 05/20/08
NHTSA ODI #10226678
56,100 miles · Aug 11, 2007
Electrical System
ON THE 11TH OF AUG, 2007. I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY ORINGAL OWNED 2001 MECEDS BENZ S 500, ON THE FREEWAY HERE IN CALIFORNIA. WITHOUT ANY OF WARNING THE LIGHTING (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF COMPLETELY. I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST THAT I WAS TRAVELING, THEREFORE I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT OFF OF THE FREEWAY, EVEN THE SPE…
Read full complaint
ON THE 11TH OF AUG, 2007. I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY ORINGAL OWNED 2001 MECEDS BENZ S 500, ON THE FREEWAY HERE IN CALIFORNIA. WITHOUT ANY OF WARNING THE LIGHTING (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF COMPLETELY. I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST THAT I WAS TRAVELING, THEREFORE I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT OFF OF THE FREEWAY, EVEN THE SPEEDOMTER IS SITTING @ 75 MILES PER HOUR EVEN I HAD MY S500 COMPLETLY STOP, ON TOP OF THAT NOTHING IS WORKING IN MY INSTURMENT AT ALL!!!(FUEL, TEMPERTURE, AND RPM). I PERSONAL TRUELY BELIEVE THIS, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, WHAT IF IT HAPPENS DURING AT NITE? BECAUSE YOU AIN'T GOING TO SEE ANYTHING!!! I CALLED THE LOCAL M.B. DEALER AS SOON AS I GOT HOME, AND A SALES ASSOICATE TOLD ME THAT, YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR CAR IN ON MONDAY, BECAUSE NO ONE WORKS AT SERVICE DEPT DURING THE WEEKEND... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10199313
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2007
Electrical System
TL* - THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NUMBER 04V227000 FOR HIS 2001 MERCEDES S CLASS' ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FUSES. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED HE BELIEVES THAT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. THEREFORE, IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY THE SOS SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. THIS IS A SA…
Read full complaint
TL* - THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NUMBER 04V227000 FOR HIS 2001 MERCEDES S CLASS' ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FUSES. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED HE BELIEVES THAT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. THEREFORE, IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY THE SOS SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE CONTACT. THE DEALER HAS STATED TO THE CONSUMER THEY WILL INVESTIGATE, BUT AT THIS TIME THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM UNDER THE RECALL. *NM UPDATED 02/22/07.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10178846
60,100 miles · Oct 13, 2006
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
LIGHTING (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500[XXX] FLICKERED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY. IT AFFECTED MY AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND SIDE MIRROR SIGNAL INDICATORS. I CANNOT VIEW THE GAUGES/SPEEDOMETER AND USE THE PRESET BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. *NM …
Read full complaint
LIGHTING (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500[XXX] FLICKERED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY. IT AFFECTED MY AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND SIDE MIRROR SIGNAL INDICATORS. I CANNOT VIEW THE GAUGES/SPEEDOMETER AND USE THE PRESET BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10170717
Official recalls
5Jun 12, 2007
ON CERTAIN 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 HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON CERTAIN 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 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Suspension
ON CERTAIN 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 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Feb 2, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
May 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Dec 16, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STATIC INSULATION PANEL BETWEEN THE CARPET AND THE VEHICLE BATTERY WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Jan 17, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC AND INSULATION TO MELT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEATED WASHER BOTTLE HOSE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗