Freightliner Columbia vs Mercedes Benz S500
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Freightliner Columbia | Mercedes Benz S500 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 110 | 274 |
| Model years covered | 2000–2010 | 1993–2007 |
| Worst model year | 2005 | 2000 |
| Best model year | 2007 | 1999 |
| Crashes reported | 8 | 9 |
| Fires reported | 8 | 4 |
| Injuries reported | 22 | 8 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Electrical System |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 36.4% | 7.7% |
Freightliner Columbia by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
32
29.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
27
24.5%
Body & Structure
7
6.4%
Brakes
6
5.5%
Electrical System
5
4.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
5
4.5%
Tires
5
4.5%
Wheels
4
3.6%
Mercedes Benz S500 by year
What breaks
Electrical System
96
35.0%
Lights
45
16.4%
Suspension
27
9.9%
Engine & Cooling
19
6.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15
5.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12
4.4%
Brakes
11
4.0%
Steering
7
2.6%