2002 Mercedes-Benz S 500 Owner Complaints

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11637417

Incident

Dec 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel and dashboard lights were off. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that his daughter was able to drive the vehicle since the exterior lights were working properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the instrument cluster had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V028000 (Interior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an extended warranty had been issued for the failure but had already expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11443231

Incident

Dec 7, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500. The contact stated that the instrument cluster had started to flicker and had eventually gone completely blank without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V028000 (Interior Lighting). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the contact with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. The defective instrument cluster also prevents the owner of these cars not knowing when the vehicle air shocks can and will suddenly drop without warning like the rear air shocks completely dropped.

NHTSA ID

11441273

Incident

May 1, 2021

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED UPON START-UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOS ANGELES (1801 S. FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90015) WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. ## VIN PASSED ## 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500 ##

NHTSA ID

11353233

Incident

Aug 28, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500V. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THEIR GREEN LIGHT. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION RAN THEIR LIGHT AND THEY CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER'S DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE PERSON THAT CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED. THERE WAS NO NEED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LUXURY AUTO PARK (17651 OAK PARK AVE, TINLEY PARK, IL 60477 (708) 444-4445) WHERE THE MECHANICS WERE WAITING ON INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO COMPLETE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THEIR HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA ID

11232475

Incident

Mar 27, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

MY DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING NOT MY SPEED DASH IS DARK NIGHT AND DAY

NHTSA ID

10967493

Incident

Feb 17, 2017

Mileage

177,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK, WHICH WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,140.

NHTSA ID

10959140

Incident

Feb 22, 2017

Mileage

86,140 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BURNED OUT AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE MISSED THE WARRANTY BY THREE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10899652

Incident

Mar 7, 2014

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO ILLUMINATE OR SHOW ANY OF THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS EXPERIENCING AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

10809494

Incident

Nov 18, 2015

Mileage

127,000 mi

MY AIRMATIC SUSPENSION MADEY MY CAR GO DOWN REAL LOW, I PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO GET THE TWO AIR MATIC SUSPENSION FIX. MY REAR END IS STILL GOING DOWN AND NOW THE REAR IS LOWER THAN THE FRONT. I AM JUST LIJE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS . NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PED7042. I FEEL THEY NEED TO MAKE THE MANUFACTURER FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE GET HURT BAD OR DEAD.

NHTSA ID

10761140

Incident

Jun 2, 2015

Mileage

131,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10726615

Incident

Apr 15, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

TWICE SINCE I'VE HAD THIS CAR I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION FIRST THE BACK THEN AT MY FATHERS FUNERAL THE FRONT BOTH RESULTING IN A LOT OF MONEY, AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SUSPENSION? WHY? *TR

NHTSA ID

10597227

Incident

Aug 7, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi

MY COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500 ABOUT THE AIRMATIC I TOOK MY TOTHE SHOP AND PAY LOT OF MONEY TO GET THE AIRMATIC FIX BECAUSE THEY WHAT SAID THAT WAS IT . THE CAR IS STILL GOING DOWN WHEN IT SIT FOR A DAY OR TWO AND NOW THEY ARE TELL ME THAT IT IS THE SUSPENSION VALVE BLOCK. I BELEIVE THAT I HAVE BE TAKING , BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN. I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574075

Incident

Aug 9, 2012

Mileage

115,250 mi

RIGHT SIDE CATALYST BROKE APART AND FAILED. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO RUN REALLY HORRIBLE AND STALL OUT MANY TIMES. MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR, EVEN IF THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 65000 MILES. IT WON'T PASS THE CALIFORNIA EMISSION TESTING. *TR UPDATED 12/17/14. *JB

NHTSA ID

10555977

Incident

Dec 11, 2013

Mileage

56,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FOR AN ALIGNMENT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE AROMATIC STRUTS ON THE VEHICLE TWICE BECAUSE OF A FAILURE, THE EXHAUST PIPE AND GENERAL RING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,140 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID

10398540

Incident

Feb 16, 2008

Mileage

53,140 mi

I OWNED 2002 MERCEDES MODEL S430. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED MY CAR DROPPED LOWER TO THE TIRES AS I STARTED, THEN I TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON FOR THE CAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. NOW, FOR PAST 2 WEEKS THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK AND ACTED VERY OFTEN. I ALSO TALKED TO FEW FRIENDS AND THEY SAID OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME MODEL ARE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. IS THIS A RECALL FROM MERCEDES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM YET. I LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE INFO ON THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO CORRECT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10383008

Incident

Aug 5, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED AND WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFT MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID

10365936

Incident

Oct 16, 2010

Mileage

40,000 mi

ATTORNEY REQUESTS CERTIFIED COPIES OF RECALLS APPLICABLE TO 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500V *TGW

NHTSA ID

10353162

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

MERCEDES BENZ 2002 S430: TELE AID SOS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAUSING VITAL INFORMATION ON AUTO TO BE DENIED WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. NO WAY TO RESET. MUST GO TO AUTO DEALER TO CORRECT. DEALER WILL CHARGE TO INVESTIGATE AND CORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10254952

Incident

Jan 12, 2009

Mileage

51,000 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN THE COMPANY CAR I AM DRIVING WHICH IS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL S500 JUST RECENTLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED AND A NEW FUSE WAS PUT IN AND IT BLEW WITHIN AN HOUR. I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES BENZ DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL 06V028000 DOES NOT APPLY TO ME. I ALSO CALLED THE FLETCHER JONES MOTORCAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MERCEDES BENZ REFUSE TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES BASED ON THE SAFETY RECALL 06V028000. THE PROBLEM IS I AM UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241600

Incident

Aug 22, 2008

Mileage

81,640 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. ON OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE MILEAGE GAUGE DISPLAYED 26,700. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE GAUGE DISPLAYED 43,000. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005, THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF HAVE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20 TO 45MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH AND WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CD PLAYER FAILED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT IT NEEDED REPLACING. THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATED NO MALFUNCTION, HOWEVER, AFTER THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE, IT BEGAN TO DISPLAY MESSAGES. SHE WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE FAILURES WERE ELECTRICAL. THE CONTACT IS THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CORRECT CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID

10204988

Incident

Oct 1, 2007

Mileage

8,500 mi

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND THE "AIRMATIC" SUSPENSION SYSTEM. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION, LOUD BANGING NOISES CAME FROM THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR AT THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. NO WARNINGS OR FAULTS WERE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE'S DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT WAS NORMAL. THE BANGING NOISE STOPPED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LATER THAT NIGHT, THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION RELEASED ITS REMAINING COMPRESSED AIR AND DROPPED THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION TO A POINT SO LOW THAT THE FRONT TIRES COULD NOT BE TURNED WITHOUT DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND FENDERS. ANY UNDULATION IN THE ROAD CAUSED RUBBING AND DAMAGE IN THE WHEEL HOUSING. FINALLY, AFTER THIS, A WARNING CAME ON THE DASH SAYING "STOP- CAR TOO LOW". VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OR DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER. DEALER STATES THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT "ALL" AIRMATIC SUSPENSIONS FAIL THIS WAY UNDER 50000 MILES (THIS CAR HAD 32000 AT TIME OF FAILURE) IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OR EXTENSIONS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND EPIDEMIC FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ "AIRMATIC" AIR SUSPENSION VEHICLES. THERE IS AN UPGRADED PART TO REPLACE THE ON THAT THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZES AS FAULTY FROM THE FACTORY. THE REPAIR AND TOWING BILL CAME TO ALMOST $2000 AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER COVERED NONE OF IT. MY INNER WHEEL HOUSINGS SUFFERED DAMAGE THAT WAS NOT REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10186744

Incident

Mar 31, 2007

Mileage

32,107 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DARKENED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FROZE . THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10164957

Incident

Aug 8, 2006

Mileage

62,000 mi

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE, UNABLE TO READ GAUGES, HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, GOT TICKET FOR SPEEDING-CHECKED ON LINE AND SAW RECALL 2/1/06-NHTSA 06V028000-CALLED 3 DEALERS AND THEY KNEW NOTHING AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, ALSO CALLED MB SERVICE 800-367-6372 AND THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT RECALL--I WAS QUOTED PRICE TO FIX $1850.--WHAT IS GOING ON? DO I HAVE TO WAIT AND NOT DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL JUNE 10-OR PAY $1850 TO GET PROBLEM FIXED NOW? DOES MB EVER COMMUNICATE WITH ITS DEALERS ABOUT THESE RECALLS? *NM

NHTSA ID

10155404

Incident

Apr 14, 2006

Mileage

59,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THERE WAS A THREE SECOND DELAY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. THE DELAY PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GAS PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE LOCKED IN PARK; IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR HOUSING. *AK THE GEAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. UPDATED 021/21/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147652

Incident

Oct 20, 2005

Mileage

66,286 mi