NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
28 reports50,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts
THE SRS SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) HAVE BEEN DEEMED INOPERABLE BY THE DEALER AND MAY EITHER DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH DISABLES/ENABLES THE AIRBAGS FUNCTIONALITY. BOTH A VERY CO…
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THE SRS SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) HAVE BEEN DEEMED INOPERABLE BY THE DEALER AND MAY EITHER DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH DISABLES/ENABLES THE AIRBAGS FUNCTIONALITY. BOTH A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN THE 2000 TO 2006 MODEL YEAR MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CONTAINS A SENSOR THAT EVENTUALLY FAILS FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR WARNING WHICH COMPROMISES THE AIR BAG'S FUNCTIONALITY. THE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE SEAT EVENTUALLY MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO FATIGUE.THIS ALSO DISABLES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SRS SYSTEM.THIS MALFUNCTION HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDRESSED AND RECALLED BY BMW FOR THE SAME ISSUES BUT MERCEDES BENZ HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL CAMPAIGN ALSO THE GEAR SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK AND CAN NOT BE SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THIS IS DUE TO A SMALL PLASTIC PART LOCATED IN THE SHIFTING MECHANISM WHICH IS RELEASED BY A SOLENOID WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE PLASTIC PART EVENTUALLY CRACKS AND RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE.THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE NOR PRODUCED BY MERCEDES BENZ AND THE ENTIRE MECHANISM MUST BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CRACKED PART CAN ALSO AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PEDESTRIANS. IF IT CRACKS WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE, THE SHIFTER CAN NOT BE MOVED FORWARD TO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND WILL REMAIN STUCK IN DRIVE DUE TO A BROKEN PIECE OF PLASTIC BLOCKING THE SHIFTER FROM MOVING.THIS IS ANOTHER EXTREMELY COMMON AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE MODEL YEAR 2000 TO 2006 S CLASS AND HAS AFFECTED AND LEFT THOUSANDS OF MOTORISTS STRANDED. MERCEDES BENZ HAS THE LOWEST RECALL RATE IN THE UNITED STATES ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING HTTP://WWW.REUTERS.COM/ARTICLE/2014/03/27/US-AUTOS-RECALLS-STUDY-IDUSBREA2Q1ZQ20140327. THEY SHOULD NOT IGNORE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576261
50,000 miles · Apr 25, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat BeltsInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHENEVER THERE WERE WARMER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WOULD EITHER BECOME RESISTANT WHEN A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHENEVER THERE WERE WARMER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID WOULD EITHER BECOME RESISTANT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE HATCH, OR IT WOULD CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE TRUNK LID CLOSED UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE CONTACT AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK AREA. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION TO THE RIGHT LEG. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO ENGAGE THE TRUNK LID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V285000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: TRUNK LID SPRINGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10509561
120,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Seat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING HOT WEATHER. MORE PARTICULARLY, THE BELT WILL NOT EXTEND. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL THE BELT OUT ENOUGH TO FASTEN IT. THUS, THE ONLY WAY THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN IN HOT WEATHER IS WITHOUT THE DRIVER WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE BELT WORKS PROPERLY IN THE MORNING WHEN LEAVING …
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING HOT WEATHER. MORE PARTICULARLY, THE BELT WILL NOT EXTEND. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL THE BELT OUT ENOUGH TO FASTEN IT. THUS, THE ONLY WAY THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN IN HOT WEATHER IS WITHOUT THE DRIVER WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE BELT WORKS PROPERLY IN THE MORNING WHEN LEAVING OUR AIR-CONDITIONED GARAGE, BUT WHEN RETURNING TO THE CAR WHILE IT HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN HOT WEATHER THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10464097
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2011
Suspension
WHEN VEHICLE GETS COLD( OUTSIDE TEMP BELOW 17 F), THE CAR WILL LOWER, AND AIROMATIC WARNING MESSAGE COMES ON SAYING AIROMATIC VEHICLE TOO LOW STOP VISIT SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380786
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2011
Suspension
WHEN TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 17 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE DROP TO UNSAFE LEVEL, AND MESSAGE SAYS AIRMATIC STOP CAR VEHICLE TOO LOW. THE TIRES WILL START RUBBING ON LINER. CALLED DEALER THEY SAID TEMPERATURE IN GERMANY DOES NOT GO THAT LOW, WELL THIS CAR IS SOLD IN US, AND THEY NEED TO MAKE IT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378528
61,499 miles · Dec 31, 2010
Air Bags
AIR BAG-DRIVERS SIDE, STEERING WHEEL. I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SITE AND THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO INFORM YOU OF THIS ISSUE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER CLEARED THE FAULT CODE. THIS LASTED ONE WEEK AND THEN THE WARNING REAPPEARED. THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN A DEPLOYMENT WHETHE…
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AIR BAG-DRIVERS SIDE, STEERING WHEEL. I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SITE AND THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO INFORM YOU OF THIS ISSUE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER CLEARED THE FAULT CODE. THIS LASTED ONE WEEK AND THEN THE WARNING REAPPEARED. THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN A DEPLOYMENT WHETHER WARRANTED OR NOT. IT SEEMED TO US THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE REGARDLESS. THEN, DESPITE THE 7 YEAR ,100,000 MILE WARRANTY, THEY SAID AIR BAGS ARE NOT COVERED. WE THEN INCURRED AN EXPENSE OF $1,841 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT. IT SEEMED THE MANUFACTURER TRIED TO AVOID ANY AND ALL COMPLAINTS ABOUT AIR BAGS BEING PROBLEMATIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373607
93,939 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Power Train
SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. THERE ARE PROBABLY HUNDREDS, POSSIBLY EVEN THOUSANDS OF MERCEDES OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE SHIFTER LOCKS IN PARK. YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND IT WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF USING A 16 POUND RUBBER MALLET TO BANG THE SHIFTER. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A…
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SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. THERE ARE PROBABLY HUNDREDS, POSSIBLY EVEN THOUSANDS OF MERCEDES OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE SHIFTER LOCKS IN PARK. YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND IT WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF USING A 16 POUND RUBBER MALLET TO BANG THE SHIFTER. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS AS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THE PERSON WAS OUT IN THE WILDERNESS OR A MOTHER TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AT HTTP://WWW.MBWORLD.ORG THIS PARTICULAR FORUM IS A GREAT SOURCE FOR PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MERCEDES BENZ. IT IS CAUSED BY A $4 PIECE OF PLASTIC LOCATED INSIDE THE SHIFTER BOX THAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH TO ACTIVATE THE SOLENOID.. ONCE THE PLASTIC PIECE BREAKS IT LOCKS THE SHIFTER IN PLACE. MERCEDES COULD EASILY FIX THIS PROBLEM BY USING MORE DURABLE MATERIALS. INSTEAD, THEY CHARGE YOU UP TO $1500 TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER BOX. I KNOW BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE I PERSONALLY KNOW. THE CAR LITERALLY CAN NOT BE MOVED AND HAS TO BE DRAGGED ON A FLAT BED TRUCK AND TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. FOR A CAR THIS EXPENSIVE, IT IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10366571
68,000 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train
SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK DUE TO THE ONLY PLASTIC PART ( SHIFTER MODULE) IN THE SHIFTER BOX. MERCEDES HEADQUARTERS TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE FIX WHEN PLASTIC PART BREAKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326942
74,000 miles · Nov 17, 2009
Air BagsSuspension
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT OR WILL NOT BE A RECALL ON THE "SUSPENSION" ISSUE. I TOO HAD THE FATE OF MY CAR COLLAPSING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK-WHICH IS 35 MILES AWAY-IT HAPPENED. ON THE DASH IT STATED IN BID BOLD LETTERS "AIRMATIC CAR TOO LOW". I PULLED OVER AND STEPPED OUT-MY HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THROUGH…
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I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT OR WILL NOT BE A RECALL ON THE "SUSPENSION" ISSUE. I TOO HAD THE FATE OF MY CAR COLLAPSING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK-WHICH IS 35 MILES AWAY-IT HAPPENED. ON THE DASH IT STATED IN BID BOLD LETTERS "AIRMATIC CAR TOO LOW". I PULLED OVER AND STEPPED OUT-MY HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME THROUGH MY CHEST. EVERYONE IN THAT SITUATION UNDERSTANDS JUST HOW I FELT AT THAT TIME. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY COVERING HALF OF THE FRONT TIRES-IF I TURNED THE WHEEL IT WOULD HAVE SCRAPED THE FENDERS. I LEFT THE CAR THERE OVERNITE. THE NEXT DAY {SUNDAY} MY PARTNER'S BROTHER -WHO IS A MECHANIC-WENT TO RETRIEVE MY CAR NOT BEING FAMILIARIZED WITH THE MERCEDES BRAND HE STARTED THE CAR AND PUSHED EVERY BUTTON ON THE DASH-HE CALLED ME TELLING ME THE CAR WAS FINE IT WAS "FINE". HE DROVE MY CAR TO MY HOME-MUCH TO MY PUZZLEMENT. THE CAR LOOKED NORMAL. THE NEXT DAY ON MONDAY I STARTED THE CAR AND ON THE DASH IN BIG RED LETTERS AIRMATIC . THOUGH THE CAR LOOKED FINE I SAW ON CLOSER INSPECTION THAT ONE SIDE IN FRONT WAS SAGGING LOWER, TO SUM THIS UP-GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE " AIR WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BAGS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION".THAT COST $1,000 TO REPAIR-I THINK ITS CHEAPER TO PAY THAT THAN THE ALTERNATIVE. AS I WRITE I AM FURIOUS YES- I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT THIS COMING MONDAY FOR MY SRS SYSTEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. THIS TIME IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE ETR-THEY STATE THERE IS A FAULT. I HAVE TO PAY $540.00 TO HAVE A SAFE CAR? THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON-SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TOO-ONLY THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE 74,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT? MERCEDES SUBMITTED A VIDEO SHOWING AN S CLASS WITH A COLLAPSED SUSPENSION SHOWING THAT IT WAS FIT TO BE ON THE ROAD ALONG WITH OTHER CARS-PEOPLE WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST CARS ON THE ROAD! THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT IT .AND ABOUT THE SRS LIGHT? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292477
84,500 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Suspension
MY SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE!! WITHOUT WARNING MY S430 AIRMATIC LIGHT DISPLAYED "VISIT WORKSHOP", I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY LOW...ALMOST TOUCHING MY FRONT AND BACK TIRES. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE WHEELS ARE BEING TURNED. I CONTACTED 4 DEALERS AND THEY ALL CLAIMED THE SUSPENS…
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MY SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE!! WITHOUT WARNING MY S430 AIRMATIC LIGHT DISPLAYED "VISIT WORKSHOP", I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY VEHICLE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY LOW...ALMOST TOUCHING MY FRONT AND BACK TIRES. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE WHEELS ARE BEING TURNED. I CONTACTED 4 DEALERS AND THEY ALL CLAIMED THE SUSPENSION AND/OR AIRMATIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM ...MY CONCERN IS WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL? SECONDLY, AFTER SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS WEEK, MB IS CLAIMING THAT I WILL BE CHARGED FOR SERVICE A. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE>>>WHY IS MERCEDES LOOSING THEIR REPUTATION FOR POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE? PLEASE CONTACT ME...I NEED MY VEHICLE IN OPERABLE CONDITION AND WILL EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED BY MERCEDES ONCE THIS RECALL MATTER IS APPROVED AND/OR ACTIVE. I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT NHTSA CARES...THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291036
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