2000 Mercedes-Benz S 500 Owner Complaints

Please help me My 2000 s500L Mercedes’ Benz dashboard have been blinking for 4 months now it has finally completely went out I am complaining on my behalf in my daughter in wife please NHTSA we cannot see anything on our car dashboard our vehicle have been inspected at two independent service dealer theses symptoms appear to have been happening 1 year after purchasing from dealer please NHSTA we need a recall on our dashboard cluster. I cannot attend work until the cluster gets fix it’s so dangerous driving with a broken cause this recall will be a blessing to our family.

NHTSA ID

11481497

Incident

Aug 27, 2022

LAST NIGHT WE HAD TROPICAL STORM ETA IN FLORIDA. WE HAD ABOUT 10 INCHES OF RAIN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 70F AND 80F. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON HIGH GROUND BUT IN THE RAIN. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FLOODED WITH WATER UNDER THE CARPET. I HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK OR THE SOURCE OF THE SHORT YET BUT THE CAR IS IN MY SHOP. I DRILLED HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO DRAIN THE WATER FOR NOW. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING, THE WIPERS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF ON THERE OWN, THE CAR STAYED RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, THE SOS LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE SPEAKERS WERE POPPING, THE THROTTLE CONTROLS WERE ACTING ODD AND NOT CORRESPONDING WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL, THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND OR STAY ON LONGER THAN NORMAL, THE TRANSMISSION WAS GETTING STUCK IN GEARS, THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS ACTING WEIRD, I PRESSED THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THE TAIL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND I HAD A FULL TANK, THE SPEED AND RPM WERE WORKING NORMAL, OUTSIDE TEMP WAS GOING ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE CLOCK, THE AC BLOWER SPEED WAS CHANGING AND TURNING OFF, THE WINDOWS WOULD WORK THEN NOT WORK, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, BASICALLY THE CAR WOULD START AND RUN BUT ALMOST EVERY SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS THE SECOND MERCEDES I HAVE OWNED THAT DID THIS. I TOOK VIDEOS BUT THEY WERE TOO BIG TO SHARE.

NHTSA ID

11373750

Incident

Nov 9, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ONLY WORKS WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT.

NHTSA ID

11353924

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

I WAS GETTING STUFF FROM THE TRUNK. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE CAR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SORCE OF THE FIRE IT WAA THE BLOWER RESISTOR. THE WIRING TO THE BLOWER WAS BURNT AT THE CONNECTOR. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE EVAPORATOR BOX WAS DAMAGED.

NHTSA ID

11353348

Incident

Sep 5, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

I JUST BOUGHT MY MERCEDES S500 TWO WEEKS AGO. IT ONLY HAD ONE OWNER, 98,000 MILES AND GOOD CAR FAX. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE COMPLETELY DARK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING!! I CANT TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE NOR HOW FAST I AM DRIVING! I RESEARCH TODAY AND FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOW EXPIRED. HOW AND WHY DOES A RECALL EXPIRE??!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WONT BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE CHILDREN TO TRANSPORT AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A ACCIDENT OR RECEIVE A TICKET FOR DRIVING TOO FAST! ITS SO UNFAIR THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL. HOW IS THIS FAIR TO A BUYER WHO WOULD HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS!!! SO I GUESS IF ME AND MY CHILDREN GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND DIED, MERCEDES WOULD SAY "OH WELL, THE RECALL EXPIRED". BULLSHIT!!! I AM SO ANGRY. AND THEY DON'T CARE!!!!

NHTSA ID

11084556

Incident

Apr 11, 2018

IN REFERENCE TO CAMPAIGN 06V028000 WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR EXCLUSION OF SOME CARS OF THE SAME YEAR VS OTHERS? JUST BECAUSE THE 7 CARS THAT WERE PART OF THE ORGINAL COMPLAINT FALL IN THE NARROWLY DEFINED VIN RANGE DOES NOT MEAN OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEFECTIVE CLUSTERS ARE THE SAME. I HAVE A 2000 S500 WITH A FAILED CLUSTER. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR THAT OTHER CARS ARE BEING REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT MY CAR IS EXCLUDED BECAUSE ITS VIN RANGE IS STATISTICALLY NOT IN THE SAME NARROW VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT? THIS SEEMS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AND THE PART IS THE SAME AND THERE IS NO BASIS TO EXCLUDE IT. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME NOT. IF THE FAILED CLUSTERS WERE FROM DIFFERENT MANUFATURERS THAT WOULD BE ONE THING, BUT TO EXCLUDE CARS DUE TO VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL 7 CARS AS PART OF THE COMPLAINT IS VERY LOP SIDED. I REQUEST YOU TO PLEASE WIDEN THE RECALL. MY VIN ENDING RANGE IS YA060424

NHTSA ID

11078738

Incident

Jan 10, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S500L. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY KNOCKED WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE INDICATING TO "STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AGAIN OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED HE SOLD THE VEHICLE AS HE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11066456

Incident

Jan 26, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT SLOWLY DIM, FLICKED, AND 95% LIGHTS WERE SHUT OFF INCLUDED SPEEDOMETER, THE REST WERE VERY DIM HARDLY SEE ANYTHING. INSIDE MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DARK AT THAT POINT, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY, I HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THAT WAS VERY SCARY!! DUE TO THIS KIND OF DEFECTIVE, THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN DRIVING CONDITION AT NIGHT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 90K MILE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND I HAD FOUND FEW FORUMS DISCUSSED ABOUT THE SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH S500. BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR WHICH RELATED TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN NHTSA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WOULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY MATTER. GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID

10960329

Incident

Mar 4, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

MY CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND NOW THE FRONT END IS DAM NEAR ON THE GROUND

NHTSA ID

10883716

Incident

Jul 7, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GAUGES FAILED TO INDICATE ANY READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05062 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

NHTSA ID

10758826

Incident

Aug 17, 2015

Mileage

188,000 mi

ALL FOUR DOORS AND TRUNK OF CAR WILL NOT LOCK OR ENGAGE USING THE CAR KEY REMOTELY BUT THE LIGHTS WILL BLINK WHEN KEY IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH DOWN ON ALL FOUR LOCKS TO LOCK THE CAR. ALSO, I HAVE TO MANUALLY USE/INSERT THE CAR KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. FRONT PASSENGER CAR SEAT WILL NOT MOVE OR RECLINE WHEN DOOR PANEL BUTTONS ARE PUSHED. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND NO FAULT CAN BE FOUND. SUN VISOR STAYS DOWN AND CAN NOT STAY UP. I BELIEVE THESE ARE ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

10717700

Incident

Oct 10, 2013

THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND FRONT SIDE OF SUSPENSION WHEN DOWN TO TIRES CAN'T DRIVE NOR WILL IT PUMP UP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705145

Incident

Apr 10, 2015

Mileage

101,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID

10670173

Incident

Jan 5, 2015

Mileage

151,000 mi

I WAS HAVING AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM AND I LOOKED IT UP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS AND I WROTE DOWN THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER (06V028000) AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT MY VIN WAS IN THE RECALL BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THIS WAS JULY 2014. I ALSO CALLED MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS RECALL FIXED? IN ADDITION TO THIS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY VIN EXPIRED OR DO I HAVE TIME TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10668104

Incident

Sep 1, 2013

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE BACK LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651752

Incident

Aug 12, 2014

THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING OUT. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES ON THE BODY THAT THE PAINT IS BUBBLING AND STARTING TO RUST ALSO. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT EVERY YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD IT. I BOUGHT IT IN 2000 AND HAVE HAD IT EVER SINCE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MERCEDES PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER HAD THE PAINT FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10628417

Incident

Aug 16, 2006

Mileage

130,000 mi

WHILE RETURNING FROM TAKING MY HUSBAND TO HAVE A SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON I-75. I NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT INSTANTLY WENT BLACK. I CAME CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANY IMPORTANT INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND GASOLINE LEVEL ON VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO IS MERCEDES CERTIFIED AND HE INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. I ASKED IF HE COULD REPAIR THE CLUSTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP CAUSE OF THE RISK OF DRIVING. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN MACON, GA AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,312.00 FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL I WAS TOLD THAT IT EXPIRED FOUR YEARS AGO. I TOOK IT UPON MY SELF TO LOOK INTO THE RECALL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RECALL CAME OUT IN NOVEMBER 2005 AND THEN EXPIRED FEBRUARY 2006. WHICH IN OTHER WORDS WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE OWNERS. IF THE RECALL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN WHY WAS THERE A EXPIRATION DATE? IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THE TIME FRAME WHEN THE OWNER COMES IN TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE POINT IS THAT YOU ISSUED A RECALL AND FOR THE INTEGRITY AND UTMOST SAFETY OF YOUR CONSUMER AND THEIR FAMILY WHICH CONSIST OF SMALL CHILDREN. WE CHOSE YOUR VEHICLE FOR THAT REASON" SAFETY". WHEN I WANTED TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FOR "MY FAMILY" I CHOSE MERCEDES BENZ. BUT NOW YOU TELL ME YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE POINT IS THAT YOU NEW OF THE RECALL THAT'S WHY IT WAS ISSUED AND ONLY ALLOWED FOUR MONTHS FOR REPAIRS. WHAT IF THERE WAS ACCIDENTS OR PEOPLE BEING KILLED. YOU WOULD HAVE TO WRITE A HUGE CHECK FOR LAW SUITES. SO TO ME WHY GO THROUGH THAT WHEN YOU CAN REPLACE A PART FOR A LITTLE TO NOTHING THAN LIVES THAT ARE IRREPLACABLE.THE COMPANY STANDS TO PROFIT MILLIONS IF WE PAY FOR"THEIR RECALL!" ALL I'M ASKING IS TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10626884

Incident

Aug 18, 2014

Mileage

127,097 mi

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE... AS LIKE THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE VERY SAME DEVICE-FAILURE; I'VE COME TO NOW KNOW THAT THIS' A WIDELY KNOWN MBUSA VEHICLE RECALL ISSUE THAT WAS QUICKLY & EXTREMELY DISCRIMINATORY & NON-EXHAUSTIVE RECALL (HALF)EFFORT... AT BEST! I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO ATTEMPT CONTACTING THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) AND INQUIRED AS TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL &/OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE NOTIFIED BY MBUSA OF THIS RECALL... ALL OF WHICH THE ANSWER(S) WERE NO. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND HAS BEEN KEPT PRISTINE... TO DATE! AS LIKE THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS; MBUSA'S WELL AWARE OF THIS YET THE RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED KNOWING THAT THERE ARE POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THESE FAULTY DEVICES AND KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT EXHAUSTIVELY ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS; HENCE KNOWING THAT THERE'S MILLIONS TO BE MADE AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ONCE WE START ROLLING IN AFTER THE RECALL CLOSURE DATE ($$$$)!!! NEVER WAS THERE ADEQUATE, EXHAUSTIVE NOR EXTENSIVE EFFORTS PUT FORTH WITH THIS RECALL; AS WELL AS A SMALL WINDOW TO TOTALLY & EFFECTIVELY RECALL THE VAST NUMBER OF VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH IT... PLEASE NOTE THE NUMEROUS & IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS YOU'VE RECEIVED REGARDING THIS ISSUE! AT LEAST FORCE/MANDATE MBUSA TO COVER PARTS/DEVICE TO THIS RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR... OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO COVER THIS WELL DOCUMENTED RECALL! I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL MAJOR RECALLS; THIS' A FIRST OF SUCH CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS PUT FORTH ONTO THE OWNER... PLEASE REMEMBER THIS' SOMETHING MBUSA KNEW WAS DEFECTIVE/FAULTY AND HALF-HEARTEDLY ATTEMPTED A JOKE-OF-A-RECALL; IF DEATHS BECOME AN ISSUE WHAT WOULD YOU DO KNOWING THAT OWNERS HAVE SOUGHT ASSISTANCE TO NO AVAIL OF MBUSA NOR THIS AGENCY'S DECISIONS? PLEASE HELP!!! I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM A MINOR SURGICAL PROCEDURE WHEN IT WENT OUT! *TR

NHTSA ID

10626776

Incident

Aug 18, 2014

Mileage

127,097 mi

WAS DRIVING AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588118

Incident

May 12, 2013

Mileage

165,000 mi

PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AS MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AT 45K MILES ON THE CAR AND YOU AND MBUSA DECIDED TO DISCRIMINATE WHICH CARS WERE INCLUDED IN THE MAJOR RECALL - WHY NOT ALL VEHICLES. MY CAR IS IN PRISTINE SHAPE, ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED, NOT TO MENTION A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE MANY PHOTOS IF YOU NEED ME TO EMAIL THEM TO YOU. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND THE DEALER INSISTS ON $1500 TO REPAIR. THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY NOT TO MENTION LIFE THREATENING AND DANGEROUS. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

10572493

Incident

Jan 15, 2014

Mileage

45,000 mi

PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062. MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME ARE NOT. THIS MERCEDES BENZ USA "VIN DISCRIMINATION" IS UNFAIR & UNETHICAL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AND WIDEN THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10569119

Incident

Jan 15, 2014

Mileage

45,000 mi

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME ARE NOT. THIS MERCEDES BENZ USA "VIN DISCRIMINATION" IS UNFAIR & UNETHICAL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AND WIDEN THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10569114

Incident

Jan 15, 2014

Mileage

45,000 mi

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013 AT AROUND 44K. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, 44K (NOW 45K) MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED SO THIS WAS QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON MY BEAUTIFUL $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER SEEMS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM REQUESTING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME ARE NOT. THIS MERCEDES BENZ USA "VIN DISCRIMINATION" IS UNFAIR & UNETHICAL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE RECONSIDER AND WIDEN THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563139

Incident

May 15, 2013

Mileage

44,000 mi

MY 2000 S500 IS RUSTING UNCONTROLLABLY AROUND THE BOTTOM OF ALL DOORS AND TRUNK LID AND FENDERS. I THOUGHT BUYING A $90,000 VEHICLE WOULD EVADE THESE ISSUES. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND. THEY SUGGEST SPENDING 5K+ ON A NEW PAINT-JOB! THEY ONLY TELL ME THAT THEY SERVICED THE RECALL ON THE RUBBER STRIPPING ON THE BOTTOM OF ALL DOORS. THIS IS EMBARRASSING AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MB IS DOING BUSINESS IN THIS FASHION. I'VE READ SEVERAL THREADS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ALL AROUND THE WORLD. CANADA FIXES THESE RUST PROBLEMS FOR FREE WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. MBUSA ON THE OTHER HAND WILL NOT RESPONSIBLY FIX THE ERROR. THIS IS TOTALLY ABSURD AND FOR A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ALL ABOUT QUALITY IT SHOWS THEIR TRUE COLORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10535674

Incident

Aug 1, 2004

Mileage

65,000 mi

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT ON A FAMILY TRIP ON 3/10/13. I CHANGED THE 5A FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE TRUNK AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, JUST TO HAVE IT BLOW OUT AGAIN. THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN, THE PARKTRONICS WILL NOT FUNCTION, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE READ ON THE BENZWORLD.ORG SITE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MBUSA THOUGH ONLY A SELECT NUMBER OF VIN'S ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. OF COURSE, MY VIN LOOKS TO NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. WE WOULD LIKE OUR VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR THAT OTHER CARS ARE BEING REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT MY CAR IS EXCLUDED BECAUSE ITS VIN RANGE IS STATISTICALLY NOT IN THE SAME NARROW VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT? THIS SEEMS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AND THE PART IS THE SAME AND THERE IS NO BASIS TO EXCLUDE IT. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME NOT. IF THE FAILED CLUSTERS WERE FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS THAT WOULD BE ONE THING, BUT TO EXCLUDE CARS DUE TO VIN RANGE CORRESPONDING TO THE ORIGINAL 7 CARS AS PART OF THE COMPLAINT IS VERY LOP SIDED. I REQUEST YOU TO PLEASE WIDEN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502385

Incident

Mar 10, 2013

Mileage

90,500 mi