Federal complaints
81
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 80 of 81 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 66 of 81 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
33 complaint records
"THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY CAR WENT BLANK MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES AT NIGHT. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. *NM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Suspension
27 complaint records1 fire report
"AS I WAS DRIVING THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LOWER TO AN UNDRIVABLE HEIGHT, I CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Lighting
18 complaint records
"MERCEDES BENZ IS IGNORING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, 06V028000. I HAVE CALLED THEM AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AND HAVE NO PLANS TO COMPLY WITH THE CAMPAIGN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I ALMOST CRASHED WHEN MY LIGHT PANEL WENT OUT. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse lighting parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE07042 opened Aug 2007 | closed Nov 2007 | Suspension | AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL... |
| PE05062 opened Nov 2005 | closed Feb 2006 | Interior Lighting | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE - led to recall 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... |
| PE03058 opened Dec 2003 | closed Apr 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07V263000 | Suspension | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE. | Normally free |
| 06V028000 | Interior Lighting | ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. | Normally free |
| 04V227000 | Electrical System | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES. | Normally free |
| 02V338000 | Electrical System | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. | Normally free |
| 00V141000 | Equipment | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007195 2007-06-14 | Steering | 884 | On certain vehicles equipped with an 8-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control's high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. |
| 2006031 2006-02-07 | Electrical | 1,313 | Certain vehicles may experience instrument cluster backlighting malfunction. There are three distinct failure modes. (1) Vehicles built between 06/2000 and 11/2000 may contain a defective transformer that could cause an electrical short. |
| 2004154 2004-05-06 | Electrical | 2,246 | On certain vehicles, the size of the electric conductor on the blower motor fuse holder may be below appropriate tolerances. |
| 2003029 2003-02-10 | Electrical | 2,884 | On certain vehicles, there is a potential for excessive static build-up in the trunk floor mats of the subject vehicles. |
| 2000122 2000-05-19 | Electrical | 390 | On certain CL500, S430W and S500V vehicles, due an internal defect in circuitry cased during the climate control system blower motor regulator manufacturing process, a capacitor within the regulator may fail resulting in overheating of the... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI82.30-P-059239 Jun 2014 | Visibility | Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper | |
| SB-P-047527 Jul 2009 | Parking Brake | MERCEDES: PARKTRONIC INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING. THE FUNCTION WORKS AGAIN AFTER A SHORT TIME OR DISTANCE. WHEN THE FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE PARKTRONIC SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. | |
| TSB-42-10-109 Jun 2009 | Service Brakes | MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. | |
| PB 82-10-630 Jul 2008 | Exterior Lighting | MERCEDES BENZ: WATER IN TAIL LAMP HOUSING ON EITHER RIGHT SIDE OR LEFT SIDE. *PE | |
| 887039 Mar 2005 | Visibility | SEAL BETWEEN EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HOUSING AND DOOR. *TT |
Show 6 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02012005 Feb 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO IN-USE DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO A PRODUCTION DEFICIENCY DURING THE PERIOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, RESULTING IN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL... | |
| 805727 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | AFTER EIS REPLACEMENT CIRCUIT 15X DELAYED AFTER IGNITION START. *TT | |
| PB8262165 Sep 2001 | Equipment | SUBJECT REGARDING POPPING OR THUMPING IN THE SPEAKERS. *JG | |
| 50012 May 2001 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON SOME VEHICLES, UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND / OR APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY UNTIL THE ACTUATOR MOVES TO THE NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT POSITION. | |
| 601 Dec 2000 | Steering | THIS IS TO ADVISE THAT MERCEDES-BENZ USA WILL CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OF CERTAIN 2000 AND 2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES EXHIBITING LEAKAGE IN THE POWER STEERING DAMPER HYDRAULIC LINE FITTINGS. *TT | |
| 01002 Jan 2000 | Equipment | BRIEF INFORMATION ON INSTALLING TELEPHONE. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Do a full walk-around with every light on.Condensation inside a lens, a dim side, or a flickering tail light match this vehicle's lighting cluster.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercedes-Benz S Class →