Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
425–50K
650–75K
575–100K
12100–150K
3150K+
31 reports with mileage · 5 unknown
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.
Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Interior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 5 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 reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
36 reports
79,500 miles · Sep 14, 2005
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. ONCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS, THE GAS GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE, ODOMETER, INSIDE INDICATORS FOR TURN SIGNALS, PARKING ASSIST LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. EVERYTHING IS LINKED TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ONE DAY THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM. MERCEDES CHARGES AROUND $1800 …
Read full complaint
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. ONCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS, THE GAS GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE, ODOMETER, INSIDE INDICATORS FOR TURN SIGNALS, PARKING ASSIST LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. EVERYTHING IS LINKED TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ONE DAY THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM. MERCEDES CHARGES AROUND $1800 TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 23, 05): NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BLACKOUT. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT HE COULDN'T SEE THE GAUGES AND WAS TOLD BY M-B ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE RESPONDER THAT THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #10136503
49,700 miles · Aug 23, 2005
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
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 …
Read full complaint
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, IE COOLING THE TRANSISTORS MUCH MORE ADEQUATELY. THIS CREATES A TREMENDOUS SAFETY RISK BY ESSENTIALLY CREATING AN INFORMATION BLACK HOLE: THE OPERATOR DOES NOT KNOW HIS/HER OWN SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS STILL ON, IF THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS ARE OPERATIONAL, IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT MERCEDES IS SO KEEN ON RELAYING ONLY TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS NOT YET CREATED AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL ONE OF THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF S-CLASS OWNERS RUNS OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY, AND GETS INTO A COLLISION ALL BECAUSE HE/SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL THEY HAD.
NHTSA ODI #10133955
50,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Electrical System
MERCEDES S-CLASS W220 (2000 AND UP)INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED INCLUDING SPEDOMETER, FLASHERS, SIGNAL CONTROL, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, AND OTHER INFORMATION CRITICAL TO SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION. UPON INVESTIGATING IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A SERIES OF DEFECTIVE TRANSISTORS WHICH THE MANUAFACTU…
Read full complaint
MERCEDES S-CLASS W220 (2000 AND UP)INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED INCLUDING SPEDOMETER, FLASHERS, SIGNAL CONTROL, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, AND OTHER INFORMATION CRITICAL TO SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION. UPON INVESTIGATING IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A SERIES OF DEFECTIVE TRANSISTORS WHICH THE MANUAFACTURER HAS SINCE DISCONTINUED AND REPLACED WITH A SIMILAR MODEL. INADEQUATE HEATSEAKING FOR THE TRANSISTORS COUDL ALSO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. THIS IS PARTICULARLY ODD BECAUSE THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN IN PRODUCTION SINCE 2000 AND PRODUCTION IS CONTINUING STRONG. THE CLUSTER HAS 5 OF THESE TRANSISTORS, 3 OF WHICH ARE IN SERIES AND GO BAD CAUSING THE DESCRIBED FAILURE. THE TRANSISTORS COST ABOUT 50 CENTS EACH WHEN PURCHASED IN BULK... HARDLY JUSTIFYING A $1600 REPAIR. THE SIEMENS MODEL: BUZ102S SIPMOS POWER TRANSISTOR WAS REPLACED BY THE SPD50N06S2-14 POWER TRANSISTOR. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES THE CARS DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND DASH BOARD CONTROLS TO STOP FUNCTIONING. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. NOT KNOWING CAR SPEED COULDL ALSO BE VERY DANGEROUS. VISITATION (SEPTEMBER 23, 05) UPDATE: THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE AND THAT HE COULDN'T SEE THE GAUGES. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CLUSTER HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED NUMEROUS TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #10100807
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Tires
DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770035
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2002
Unknown Or Other
NONE
NHTSA ODI #767778
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN TAPPING THE BRAKES, THE THROTTLE ACELLERATOR HESITATES FOR ONE MOMENT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SURGED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE HE IS A TWO FOOT DRIVER, THIS CAR IS A CHALLENGE TO HIM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATED THROTTLE INTERRUPT FEATURE. *SLC
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE05062 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 10, 2005 · Closed Feb 8, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Interior Lighting
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES FAILED IN THAT CONSUMERS WERE UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLES AT ANY SPEED DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT.IN ITS 573 REPORT TO NHTSA DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2006, MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (MERCEDES-BENZ)STATES THAT THERE ARE THREE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MODES THAT WOULD RESULT IN UNDESIRABLE OPERATION.THESE THREE FAILURE MODES ARE SPECIFIC TO CERTAIN DATES OF PRODUCTION (SEE BELOW) FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING THOSE VEHICLES WITHIN THOSE DATES.SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THE FAILURE MODES IS DESCRIBED IN MERCEDES-BENZ'S REPORT (SEE NHTSA RECALL 06V028).THREE OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED TO MERCEDES-BENZ INVOLVE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED BEFORE THE DATES OF PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE THREE FAILURE MODES.BASED ON REVIEW OF THOSE THREE COMPLAINTS, MERCEDES-BENZ WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A RELATION OF THOSE THREE TO THE DEFECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ALL OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ COMPLAINTS WITH VINS IDENTIFIED WERE WITHIN THE RECALL POPULATION (ONLY 2 VEHICLE VINS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO POSITIVELY IDENTIFY VEHICLE BUILD DATE).THE RECALL POPULATION WILL INCLUDE 36,911 S CLASS AND CL CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES BUILT IN THE PRODUCTION DATES RANGING FROM JUNE 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2000, JANUARY 2002 THROUGH APRIL 2002, AND MAY 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2004.THESE DATES OF PRODUCTION COVER VEHICLES FROM THE 2000-2002 MY AND THE 2004-2005 MY.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, MERCEDES-BENZ WILL REPLACE ALL AFFECTED INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS WITH IMPROVED ONES THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE FAILURE MODES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL BEGIN OWNER NOTIFICATION DURING THE 1ST QUARTER OF 2006.
2001 Mercedes Benz S Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration