Mercedes Benz 500s 2000
Model 500s made in 2000 by Mercedes Benz got 40 consumer complains as well as 1 investigation. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to digital instrument panel and electrical system. The car had one investigation (interior lighting).
Model 2000
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | ||||||
| PE05062 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. | 11/10/2005 | 02/08/2006 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE | 06V028000 | |
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 87878 | 1 | |
| My 2000 mercedes benz s-500 instrument cluster started flickering off and on about 3 months ago, then went completely out on sunday february 1, 2009 while returning from a super bowl party. i had to drive approximately 90 miles with absolutely no help from my indication and safety system on a $80,000 vehicle. after days of trying to figure out what to do and countless hours of searching on the internet, i decided to disconnect the negative battery cable to reset to cars computer. this is what i have to do approx twice a year when my radio, cd, navigation and phone goes out. that did the trick for now. i called my local mb dealer in germantown, md after reading some of the complaints on this website and was told to bring the car in so that they could hook it up to a diagnostic computer at $195.00 per hour. after reading the comments here and knowing that mb has thousands of vehicles with this same problem and has fixed approx 7 cars. i own 2 mb a 98 c-class and a 2000 s-500 and love both of my cars but i will never, never, never, ever buy another mercedes benz vehicle. i will stick honda or acura from now own. every time i have taken my car into mb for service, i have been screwed over. now have a vibration when the car is shifting through lower gears. mb says it is a bearing in my drive shaft and it is not covered under warranty but my local mechanic at another service station says it's a bearing in my drive shaft that connects to my transmission and should be covered by warranty. i also paid over $2000.00 to fix the problem with the locking gear shift and tow. this is a terrible way to treat loyal mb customers. i would love to have the new s-500 because i love the styling and features but just can't take the chance with all the problems and the most dishonest service departments in the car industry. i will encourage all of my friends and family to never buy another mb until me start treating their customers like they want them to come back. a | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 10/04/2011 | 52000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz 500s. the contact stated that the instrument panel failed and would not display the speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and other components. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure and current mileages were approximately 52,000. | |||
| 10/04/2011 | 52000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz 500s. the contact stated that the instrument panel failed and would not display the speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and other components. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure and current mileages were approximately 52,000. kmj | |||
| 10/04/2011 | 52000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz 500s. the contact stated that his instrumental panel had failed and would not show the speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge, etc. the vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer nor has it been repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure and current mileages were approximately 52,000. tb | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 151000 | 1 | |
| I have a 2000 s500 mercedes. the problem is the cluster panel it went out i went to the dealer they told me that only the ones on the list for the recall are getting done. i work graveyard so i drive at night. i can't see the speedometer. the recall is for 2000 s500? if my mercedes is having the same problem it should be covered. *tr | |||
| 05/14/2006 | 23300 | 15 | 01/31/2006 |
| Instrument cluster module on 2000 mercedes benz 500 s defective causing gauge lights to dim and go off - very dangerous driving at night without speedometer or gauges illuminated!! when driving, lights continuously dim and go off. *nm | |||
| 12/06/2001 | 39608 | 12 | |
| The vehicle experienced multiple mechanical failures. seat belt sticks, while driving dash lights go out, power steering dropped, ateanna fell off, power windows malfunction. *ts *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 03/10/2001 | 1 | 06/01/2000 | |
| While in trunk of vehicle battery exploded withour warning. vehicle was not running at the time.*ak consumer states when changing cd?s in the compact disc changer which is located in the trunk and while bending over to pick up the cd?s the battery which is also in the trunk exploded, causing severe damage to consumers spine. *yd | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 1 | |||
| Main instrument cluster shuts down during stalling causing all technical information to shut down. mjs | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 08/29/2010 | 84000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz 500s. while driving approximately between 60-65, the contact engaged the accelerate pedal and there was no power response. the gear was shifted into neutral and then into drive. suddenly, the engine stalled which resulted to ten percent braking power and a loss of power steering. the vehicle was driven to a safe location on the road with caution and intense forced applied to the brake pedal before coming to a stop. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and repair. the technician informed that the failure was contributed to the engine sensor. the contact stated one day prior to the failure the engine pulsated while at a traffic stop signal. the contact had significant concern pertaining to the safety hazard. the failure mileage was 84,000. js | |||
| EQUIPMENT | |||
| 12/06/2001 | 39608 | 12 | |
| The vehicle experienced multiple mechanical failures. seat belt sticks, while driving dash lights go out, power steering dropped, ateanna fell off, power windows malfunction. *ts *nlm | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 05/20/2004 | 2 | ||
| Mercedes-benz under reporting has been a serious problem. i complained to them about my ac blower motor, which turns on only sporadically, on average about 30% of the time. i went in to the dealer and they had refused to fix it saying that mine was not one of the cars mercedes benz corporate accepted under nhtsa campaign id number: 00v141000. however, an independent mechanic's diagnosis was that the blower motor regulator needs replacement and that it is indeed a defect of the engineering and that mercedes should have replaced it as it was exactly the effect of the problem they underreported from the recall. this is unacceptable for nhtsa to provide special treatment to mercedes benz - to this day, i am driving in the heat a sporadically working blower motor that i have to suffer with because of mercedes flaw. if a purely american company like ford had done something like this, nhsta would not have allowed such serious manufacturer violations, but why the lenient treatment for mercedes-benz? right now, in addition to the faulty blower motor regulator, i am suffering with a defective and non-working and non-illuminating instrument panel cluster also which was rightly addressed by nhtsa in nhtsa campaign id number: 06v028000 but because mercedes benz misreports the number of units affected so they do not have to fix many of their defects, i am stuck in serious danger. please help! *jb | |||
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 08/16/2010 | 85000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz 500s. the contact was driving approximately 60 mph, and engaged the brakes forcefully. suddenly, the entire instrument panel and gauges would not function. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis. there was a recall on the vehicle associated with the nhtsa campaign 06v028000 (interior lighting). the recall manufacturer report date was february 1, 2006. the dealer and manufacturer explained that the recall expired september of 2009, and the repair would be at the owner's expense. the vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. the contact was displeased to know of the early expiration of the safety recall. the failure mileage was approximately 85,000. the vin was unavailable. js | |||
| 08/15/2009 | 68000 | 1 | |
| The instruments panel lighting flashes and goes dark and you cannot read the dials on the dash board. there is a bulletin issued by you recall 06v028000 but mercedes benz has refused to fix the problem claiming that my vin number does not fall in their recall whatever that means. *tr | |||
| 08/02/2006 | 46012 | 1 | 06/15/2000 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50 mph, the light on the instrument cluster went out. the dashboard gauges and indicators did not illuminate and malfunctioned. the vehicle was taken to the service dealer who determined that the instrument cluster modules needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was alerted and was given a copy of the nhtsa campaign id# 06v028000 but the claim was denied for reimbursement. updated 09/20/06. *jb | |||
| 08/15/2006 | 71350 | 1 | 06/01/2000 |
| I own a year 2000 mercedes s. the instrument cluster has developed inadequate illumination. there is a safety recall on this instrument cluster (number: 06v028000). the dealer refuses to make a replacement under the recall and mercedes usa denies that there is a recall. what should i do to have the defective instrument cluster replaced under the recall. thank you. *jb | |||
| 06/22/2006 | 55710 | 1 | 07/01/2002 |
| Dt*: the contact stated, the instrument cluster backlighting the speedometer burned out. when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, they determined there was a recall #06v028000 concerning the instrument panel cluster. the vin is not included in the recall. the part was also out of warranty and was replaced at cost. the manufacturer has been contacted.*ak updated 7/21/2006 - *nm | |||
| 05/20/2004 | 2 | ||
| Mercedes-benz under reporting has been a serious problem. i complained to them about my ac blower motor, which turns on only sporadically, on average about 30% of the time. i went in to the dealer and they had refused to fix it saying that mine was not one of the cars mercedes benz corporate accepted under nhtsa campaign id number: 00v141000. however, an independent mechanic's diagnosis was that the blower motor regulator needs replacement and that it is indeed a defect of the engineering and that mercedes should have replaced it as it was exactly the effect of the problem they underreported from the recall. this is unacceptable for nhtsa to provide special treatment to mercedes benz - to this day, i am driving in the heat a sporadically working blower motor that i have to suffer with because of mercedes flaw. if a purely american company like ford had done something like this, nhsta would not have allowed such serious manufacturer violations, but why the lenient treatment for mercedes-benz? right now, in addition to the faulty blower motor regulator, i am suffering with a defective and non-working and non-illuminating instrument panel cluster also which was rightly addressed by nhtsa in nhtsa campaign id number: 06v028000 but because mercedes benz misreports the number of units affected so they do not have to fix many of their defects, i am stuck in serious danger. please help! *jb | |||
| 06/15/2006 | 1 | 06/24/2003 | |
| The mercedes s-class has a serious problem with many electrical components and even when recalls are made, mercedes benz north america understates the number of units affected to minimize their loss due to defective engineering. my mercedes dealer (crown mercedes in dublin, ohio - tel 614-799-4666) has refused to replace my defective instrument cluster, which does not illuminate, nor do the gauges work, even though a recall was mandated as per nhtsa recall campaign number 06v028000. however, instead of honoring they refuse to fix the very serious safety problem unless cash payment is made in the full amount of the cost. my cluster does not illuminate, the gauges are all stuck so that i don't know what speed i am going at, i don't know how much fuel i have left, i don't know the mileage of the car, or anything else because of a known mechanical defect of mercedes benz instrument clusters, but they are refusing service. i am forced to take the car back un-repaired although they required a $210.00 diagnostic fee, and i am very worried that i may run into an accident with it due to their negligence and lack of concern with the recall. please help. you can contact me at cell (614) 446-6180. your help is very important and concerns a critical safety issue. i am forced to drive without seeing my instrument cluster, without knowing what speed i am going at, without knowing how much gas i have left, without knowing any of those things. i am in danger and even though they admit that it is a manufacturing defect of the cluster, they refuse to repair it without thousands of dollars in parts & labor. is it fair to put myself and my family at risk because of the corporate wrong doings and under reporting and arrogance of mercedes benz corporation? do i need to endure the risk of a serious accident before nhtsa takes some action? please help. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 1 | |||
| Driving at 55-65 mph and accidental movement of the gearshift lever from drive to neutral and back to drive results in the transmission not engaging in drive until vehicle reaches 20 mph. mjs | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 1 | |||
| Automatic transmission rolls backward from stop on incline, after moving 10 feet the engine stalls, design flaw. mjs | |||
| SEAT BELTS | |||
| 12/06/2001 | 39608 | 12 | |
| The vehicle experienced multiple mechanical failures. seat belt sticks, while driving dash lights go out, power steering dropped, ateanna fell off, power windows malfunction. *ts *nlm | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| The brakes were not functioning properly from date of purchase. manufacturer and dealer claim that the brake operation is normal. the brakes failed while driving and the car crashed. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM | |||
| 1 | |||
| Driving at 55-65 mph violent vibration occurs causing difficulty in control, rear brakes as well as emergency brake pads freeze during vibration due to automatic self-adjustment of emergency brakes. mjs | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 12/06/2001 | 39608 | 12 | |
| The vehicle experienced multiple mechanical failures. seat belt sticks, while driving dash lights go out, power steering dropped, ateanna fell off, power windows malfunction. *ts *nlm | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 56000 | 1 | 09/15/2004 |
| My 2000 mercedes benz s500 is rusting from underneath the paint. there are several places where the car is rusting. mercedes, at the corporate level, pretends they are unaware of the problem. however, at the dealership level, they openly admit to this problem and tell me that i am out of luck. i have seen several cars with this problem and mercedes has done nothing to correct this problem to people who have bought their 100,000 flagship luxury sedan. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 09/07/2007 | 100000 | 2 | 10/20/2003 |
| The air suspension has failed and drop the front bender almost touching the tire which disable driving. it has happened twice in my 2 years. last time the fender had touched the tire. *tr | |||
| 09/02/2007 | 3 | 12/14/2000 | |
| My car suspension dropped suddelny while driving, i was barely able to controll the car got a message on my dash board that the armatic system failed. *tr | |||
| 01/03/2007 | 3 | ||
| While driving my 2000 s500 the air suspension system malfunction without warning. i had the airmatic sensor replace 6 months ago. then a air kit was installed a month later, and now the compressor has burnt out. resulting in the car completely collapsing. the car was not able to drive and was towed to the mb dealer. the compressor was replace, but the compressor runs after car is off and is very loud. the cause had not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| Driving at 55-65 mph violent vibration occurs causing difficulty in control, rear brakes as well as emergency brake pads freeze during vibration due to automatic self-adjustment of emergency brakes. mjs | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM | |||
| 12/28/2004 | 72341 | 3 | |
| While driving 65 mph the air suspension system malfunctioned without warning. as a result the front end collapsed. the cause had not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb | |||
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 05/01/2010 | 25000 | ||
| Background illumination of the instrument cluster failed (2000 mercedes benz s500, model # 220.175, vin# wdbng75joya115133) | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 12/13/2001 | 1 | 09/01/2099 | |
| The car was being taken out of the drive way in reverse at 5mph. suddenly the steering wheel went into a spin and the car accelerated to may be about 10mph and the car went backwards as the steering wheel turned and hit another car parked in neighbor's driveway, damaging both cars. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 12/06/2001 | 39608 | 12 | |
| The vehicle experienced multiple mechanical failures. seat belt sticks, while driving dash lights go out, power steering dropped, ateanna fell off, power windows malfunction. *ts *nlm | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | DUBLIN | 43017 | CROWN MERCEDES | 1-614-799-4666 |
| CA | FREMONT | MB FREMONT | ||
| NJ | ENGLEWOOD | 07631 | BENZEL BUSCH | 201 567 1400 |
| NY | NEW YORK | MERRCEDES BENZ MANHATTAN | ||
| OH | DUBLIN | 43017 | CROWN MERCEDES BENZ | 1-614-799-4666 |
| OR | WILSONVILLE | 97070 | RASMUSSEN MERCEDES OF WILSONVILLE | 8005052091 |