RoadVitals

2005 Mercedes-Benz G500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Jun 12, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Aug 5, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz G500, most frequently naming the brakes and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 69 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Electrical150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Aug 5, 2010
3,552 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2010 G-CLASS VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A GRILL COVER FOR FRONT TURN SIGNAL PROTECTION THAT, WHILE PERMISSIBLE, MAY IMPACT OVER TIME THE SIGNAL'S ABILITY TO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108.
The risk: THE SIGNAL LIGHT'S VISIBILITY TO OTHER MOTORISTS MAY BE REDUCED OVER TIME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED TURN LIGHT UNITS OPTIMIZED FOR USAGE WITH GRILLS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2010 OR EARLY JANUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ G500. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE SBC PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,755. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10724870
Incident
Jun 3, 2015
Mileage
123,755 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 26, 2014

THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE TURNS OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST SHUTS OFF - WHEN THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. TO REGAIN POWER, VEHICLE MUST BE SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND KEY NEEDS TO BE CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF WESTMINSTER IN COLORADO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A GREAT DEGREE OF CERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THEY THINK IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS CONTACTED MBUSA FOR THEM TO AUTHORIZE EXPLORATORY REPAIRS AT NO OR PARTIAL COST TO THE CUSTOMER, WHICH MBUSA HAS REFUSED. THIS IS THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH WHICH WAS USED ON 2005-08 MERCEDES C-CLASS AND HAS CAUSED A MYRIAD OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS DOCUMENTED BY VEHICLE OWNERS ON VARIOUS FORUMS SUCH AS MBWORLD.ORG AND BENZWORLD.ORG - MERCEDES HAS ISSUED A TSB FOR THOSE VEHICLES, BUT NOT FOR LOW PRODUCTION # VEHICLES SUCH AS A G500. *TR

NHTSA ID
10575058
Incident
Dec 10, 2013
Mileage
23,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI54.70-P-080191

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; STRUCTURE:BODY

Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be consistently reproducible and can occur multiple times a key cycle without obvious cause. NOTE: The parking system serves solely as an aid. Please review both the system function and system limitations as shown in the Operator's Manual. Certain environmental factors can affect system functionality such as hot exhaust gases or extreme heat, sensor interference, or other outside influences or aftermarket modifications. If after verifying the complaint is consistently reproducible: 1. Determine if the complaint is reproducible only in high ambient temperatures. If complaint does not occur in cooler ambient temperatures, it is due to system limitations. You may proceed with the below work but the vehicle may be released afterwards as it is due to system limitations. 2. Remove the brush guard and verify the park distance sensors function as expected. 3. Reinstall brush guard and adjust so that it is as far away from the park sensors as possible. Typically only small adjustments are possible. 4. Check function. If the concern is still consistently reproducible, please apply clear matte film to the locations as shown below at a minimum, although the clear matte film may be applied to the whole brush guard. Picture: Above shown is the 465 brush guard variant. Although similar to the 463, there are some key differences such as the 465 being fitted with a front camera.

LI35.30-P-058566

POWER TRAIN

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

LI54.70-P-080191

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; STRUCTURE:BODY

Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be consistently reproducible and can occur multiple times a key cycle without obvious cause. NOTE: The parking system serves solely as an aid. Please review both the system function and system limitations as shown in the Operator's Manual. Certain environmental factors can affect system functionality such as hot exhaust gases or extreme heat, sensor interference, or other outside influences or aftermarket modifications. If after verifying the complaint is consistently reproducible: 1. Determine if the complaint is reproducible only in high ambient temperatures. If complaint does not occur in cooler ambient temperatures, it is due to system limitations. You may proceed with the below work but the vehicle may be released afterwards as it is due to system limitations. 2. Remove the brush guard and verify the park distance sensors function as expected. 3. Reinstall brush guard and adjust so that it is as far away from the park sensors as possible. Typically only small adjustments are possible. 4. Check function. If the concern is still consistently reproducible, please apply clear matte film to the locations as shown below at a minimum, although the clear matte film may be applied to the whole brush guard.

LI54.70-P-080191

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be consistently reproducible and can occur multiple times a key cycle without obvious cause. NOTE: The parking system serves solely as an aid. Please review both the system function and system limitations as shown in the Operator's Manual. Certain environmental factors can affect system functionality such as hot exhaust gases or extreme heat, sensor interference, or other outside influences or aftermarket modifications. If after verifying the complaint is consistently reproducible: 1. Remove the brush guard and verify the park distance sensors function as expected. 2. Reinstall brush guard and adjust so that it is as far away from the park sensors as possible. Typically only small adjustments are possible. 3. Check function. If the concern is still consistently reproducible, please apply clear matte film to the locations as shown below at a minimum, although the clear matte film may be applied to the whole brush guard.

LI00.20-P-080703

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Service code B1 displayed in the customer menu does not match the workshop code displayed in the workshop menu, e.g., 505 or 550A, which includes a service A. Cause The root cause is currently being investigated. Remedy To determine the cause, the instrument cluster control unit (N133/1) and powertrain control unit (N127) logs are required before confirming the service or correction using XENTRY Diagnosis. Please open a TIPS case to BCE inbox with the requested information in the attachments.

LI82.85-P-080507

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two conditions are also met: • HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is ACTIVE and STORED (A+S) • Vehicle Documentation System: For the HERMES control unit, the EID1, EID2, ICCID, IMEI, IMSI, TELNR fields in the "Identification/Serial number" column have the value "-" Cause Still under analysis Remedy Recommission the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis 03/2026 and add-on 33399 installed or carry out the procedure with a newer version of XENTRY Diagnosis: XENTRY→ "N112/9 - Control unit for telematics services (HERMES)" -> "Adaptations" -> "Control unit commissioning" -> "Commissioning of previously installed control unit"

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz G500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010010
2009110
2008010
2007110
2006010
2005Viewing210
2004010
2003720
2002210

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.