Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
00–25K
125–50K
250–75K
675–100K
12100–150K
5150K+
26 reports with mileage · 8 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 →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Interior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
34 reports
106,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Electrical SystemInterior LightingFire
MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS (DASH BOARD) WENT OUT ON MY 2001 S500 MERCEDES BENZ CAR. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON OCCASIONALLY AND GO BACK OUT. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS BY CHANGING THE FUSES. WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP MY KIDS NOTICED A SMELL AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD. WE EXITED THE CAR AND FLAGGED DOWN A …
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MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS (DASH BOARD) WENT OUT ON MY 2001 S500 MERCEDES BENZ CAR. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON OCCASIONALLY AND GO BACK OUT. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS BY CHANGING THE FUSES. WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP MY KIDS NOTICED A SMELL AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD. WE EXITED THE CAR AND FLAGGED DOWN A POLICE OFFICER. WE WERE TOLD TO GET AS MUCH AS WE COULD OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. WITHIN IN SECONDS MY DASH BOARD WAS IN FLAMES. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND IGNITED INTO FLAMES. I CONTACTED MERCEDES TO FIND OUT ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL AND TO REPORT THAT THERE IS A MORE SERIOUS DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I WAS ASKED WHAT DID I EXPECT FOR THEM TO DO? THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE CLUSTER FROM THE DASH BOARD TO ASSURE THE FIRE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IDENTIFIED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AS THE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421253
76,000 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Suspension
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 S500 CLASS MERCEDES. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER HIGH PRESSURED HOSES ARE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID FROM THE PUMP TO THE SYSTEM. MERCEDES BENZ IS INFORMING ME THAT THE RECALL #2007060002 COVERS ONLY ONE HOSE. MERCEDES CAN NOT GIVE ME A SPECIFIC HOSE AND TELLS ME THERE IS ONLY ON HOSE IN THE RECALL. THERE ARE HO…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 S500 CLASS MERCEDES. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER HIGH PRESSURED HOSES ARE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID FROM THE PUMP TO THE SYSTEM. MERCEDES BENZ IS INFORMING ME THAT THE RECALL #2007060002 COVERS ONLY ONE HOSE. MERCEDES CAN NOT GIVE ME A SPECIFIC HOSE AND TELLS ME THERE IS ONLY ON HOSE IN THE RECALL. THERE ARE HOSES ATTACHED TO THE ABC SYSTEM AND PER DANIEL C. SMITH IN HIS LETTER DATED 07/06/2007 TO MERCEDES BENZ, IT PERTAINS TO HYDRAULIC HOSES, PART 573 DEFECT INF. REPORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363771
98,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Suspension
MERCEDES W200 OR S500 MODEL AIRMATIC SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, LEAKING SEALS, STRUTS AND AIR COMPRESSOR. DEALER REPAIRS CAN TOTAL OVER $7000. ALL MERCEDES CARS WITH THIS SUSPENSION FAIL AND MAKE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE TIRES RUB HARSHLY WHEN SUSPENSION FAILS, CAR DROPS TO GROUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10306227
84,633 miles · Nov 3, 2009
Unknown Or OtherCrash
MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHERS, ENDED IN A CORNFIELD. SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF. THE GAS PEDDLE WENT TO EXTREME RPM. NOW WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT ALL OF US ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE COULD HARM US,OR SOMEONE ELSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290820
77,400 miles · Mar 2, 2009
Suspension
I RECENTLY AM HEARING KNOCKING SOUNDS IN THE REAR END OF MY 2001 S500 MB. I AM AFRAID TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING BUT IT SOUNDS MAJOR. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77K MILES AND HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS. I'VE JUST SPENT 2K TO REPLACE A STRUT A WEEK AGO AND AM WONDERING IF THE VEHICLE IS JUST DEFECTIVE IN THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.…
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I RECENTLY AM HEARING KNOCKING SOUNDS IN THE REAR END OF MY 2001 S500 MB. I AM AFRAID TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING BUT IT SOUNDS MAJOR. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77K MILES AND HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS. I'VE JUST SPENT 2K TO REPLACE A STRUT A WEEK AGO AND AM WONDERING IF THE VEHICLE IS JUST DEFECTIVE IN THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260412
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2008
Electrical System
RECALL ID#06V02800 - I REPLACED MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AFTER THE RECALL DATE BUT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE NUMBER DOES NOT FALL WITHIN A RANGE, MERCEDES WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE A 2001 S500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231954
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2007
Electrical System
2001 S500 DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER FAILED, PAID $2364.83 FOR REPLACEMENT. WAS NOT EVEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS. I FOUND OUT VIA FRIEND THAT THEY HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEIR S500 AND WERE REIMBURSED THE REPAIR COSTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10195008
880,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Interior Lighting
I HAVE A 2001 S500 THAT HAD INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER FAILURE. MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS AN INSTRUMENTAL FAILURE RECALL. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND WAS TOLD IT IS A LIMITED RECALL. MY CLUSTER HAD THE EXACT FAILURE THAT THE LIMITED RECALL HAS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10170405
71,332 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Electrical System
2001 BENZ S-500. SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER MALFUNCTION. CLUSTER FLICKERS ON AND OFF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168280
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2006
Interior Lighting
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ USA. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED IN AN EMAIL TO MR. GARY BOWNE, MANAGER OF PRODUCT COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY ENGINEERING, MBUSA. HE HAS IGNORED MY CORRESPONDENCE. I HAVE A 2001 S500 MERCEDES CAR THAT HAS THE EXACT DEFECT REFERRED TO IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V02800…
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I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ USA. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED IN AN EMAIL TO MR. GARY BOWNE, MANAGER OF PRODUCT COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY ENGINEERING, MBUSA. HE HAS IGNORED MY CORRESPONDENCE. I HAVE A 2001 S500 MERCEDES CAR THAT HAS THE EXACT DEFECT REFERRED TO IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 MY CAR IS THE 220 TYPE MANUFACTURED IN THE 2000 TIME PERIOD IDENTIFIED IN THE CAMPAIGN. MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS LAST SPRING, JUST LIKE THOSE DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN, AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BOTH MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALER (AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER IN ARLINGTON, VA) HAVE DECLINED TO REPAIR MY CAR, SINCE THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL ATTACHED TO MY CAR'S VIN AS YET. I AM REQUESTING THAT MBUSA INSTRUCT AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER TO REPAIR MY CAR WITHOUT DELAY. THEY HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE, IN STOCK. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167698
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
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 S500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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