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2000 Mercedes-Benz S ClassProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 81 owner complaints about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.5× the S Class median · #1 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage75kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 19, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class has problems

81 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system330
Suspension211
Interior lighting170
Air bags43
Equipment42
Visibility41
Engine and engine cooling30
Vehicle speed control21
Steering20
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Interior lighting

Recall 06V-028 · Feb 2, 2006 · 36,911 vehicles

Risk. DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 04V-227 · May 13, 2004 · 54,454 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 02V-338 · Dec 16, 2002 · 65,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Appliance: air conditioner

Recall 00V-141 · May 15, 2000 · 7,100 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE SURROUNDING PLASTIC, INSULATION, AND WIRING TO DEFORM AND POSSIBLY MELT OR BURN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

75kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 electrical system complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles20under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2000 vs. every other S Class year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S Class median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'09'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREPE03058 · closed Apr 22, 2004
    No recall
  2. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILUREPE05062 · closed Feb 8, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-028
  3. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILUREPE07042 · closed Nov 20, 2007
    No recall
In owners' words

What S Class owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 CLUSTER,BACK LIGHTING, SPEEDOMETER FAILED (UNABLE TO SEE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) ON APRIL,3 2011 MILEAGE AT TIME OF DEFECT 24,568 I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND, I WAS INFORM THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED (RECALL).…
Complaint 10408760 · Jun 24, 2011 · 24,568 miles
MY 2000 MERCEDES S500 CLUSTER BACK LIGHTING IS GOING IN AND OUT ALSO SPEEDOMETER I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WENT IN ON MAY 28 TO SEE THEM PENSKE MERCEDES[PHONE], I WAS INFORM THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED (RECALL). SO I CALLED THE…
Complaint 10405368 · Jun 6, 2011 · 137,437 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT…
Complaint 10396628 · Apr 18, 2011 · 180,000 miles

Own a 2000 S Class?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.