Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2000 Mercedes Benz 500 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2012.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 45
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz 500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2000 compares with every other Mercedes Benz 500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Mercedes Benz 500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
321.4%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Brakes
214.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
214.3%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
214.3%
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Stability & Traction Control
17.1%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Tires
17.1%
Body & Structure
17.1%
Airbags
17.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1999peak 3Mar 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Mercedes Benz 500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE05062Opened 10 Nov 2005Closed 8 Feb 2006INTERIOR LIGHTING
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Alpine, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHICH CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOYED AT 200 MPH CAUSING A LOT OF PHYSICAL THE DAMAGE ON THE CONSUMER. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterland, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BAS AND ESP SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN ISSUING VISUAL WARNINGS FOR MONTHS, CAR HAS BEEN IN MANY TIMES TO REVIEW PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESSFUL REPAIRS. ON 8/29/01 I APPLIED THE BRAKES ABOUT 1/2 INCH, IN PREPARATION OF STOPPING FORM A 5MPH ROLE IN A PARKING LOT AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR STOPPED INSTANTLY AND THE CAR BEHIND ME RAN IN TO MY CAR CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #751350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE INSERTED IN THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10453566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Augustine, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2000 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500 HAD THE HOOD LINERS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 5 YEARS.*MR THE FIRST HOOD LINER BECAME BRITTLE AND DISINTEGRATED. THE SECOND HOOD LINER BECAME POWDERY AND LITERALLY FELL APART LESS THAN 2 YEARS AFTER INSTALLATION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD LINER WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10124695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Augustine, FL
STRUCTURE
2000 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500 HAD THE HOOD LINERS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 5 YEARS.*MR THE FIRST HOOD LINER BECAME BRITTLE AND DISINTEGRATED. THE SECOND HOOD LINER BECAME POWDERY AND LITERALLY FELL APART LESS THAN 2 YEARS AFTER INSTALLATION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD LINER WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10124695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesOrlando, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH SUSPENSION/AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE BECAME LOWER TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK 9-25-07 PHONE CONVERSTAION: WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. AIR SUSPENSION WORKED FINE BEFORE, AFTER CRASH LIGHT WAS ON AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. [SMCH]
NHTSA complaint #10101389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesOrlando, FL
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH SUSPENSION/AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE BECAME LOWER TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK 9-25-07 PHONE CONVERSTAION: WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. AIR SUSPENSION WORKED FINE BEFORE, AFTER CRASH LIGHT WAS ON AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. [SMCH]
NHTSA complaint #10101389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpine, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHICH CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOYED AT 200 MPH CAUSING A LOT OF PHYSICAL THE DAMAGE ON THE CONSUMER. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
TIRES
THE 4 ORIGINAL CONTINENTAL TIRES ON THIS MERCEDES ARE WORN OUT WITH THE WEAR BARS SHOWING. THE MILEAGE IS 17262. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER, SEARS & 2 OF THE 3 LOCAL CONTINENTAL TIRE DEALERS IN THIS CITY. EVERYONE SAID THIS IS COMMON WITH THESE TIRES & NO ADJUSTMENT FROM THE COMPANY IS AVAILABLE. IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THAT 4 TIRES WORN OUT AT 17,000 MILES IS A JOKE ON THE CONSUMER, & I THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.*AK (TIRESIZE: P22560H16)
NHTSA complaint #759466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterland, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BAS AND ESP SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN ISSUING VISUAL WARNINGS FOR MONTHS, CAR HAS BEEN IN MANY TIMES TO REVIEW PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESSFUL REPAIRS. ON 8/29/01 I APPLIED THE BRAKES ABOUT 1/2 INCH, IN PREPARATION OF STOPPING FORM A 5MPH ROLE IN A PARKING LOT AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR STOPPED INSTANTLY AND THE CAR BEHIND ME RAN IN TO MY CAR CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #751350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINS INOPERABLE. DRIVER LOSES ALL TECHINCAL INFORMATION AND OPERATING STATUS OF VEHICLE. DURING DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AN ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF THE GEARSHIFT LEVER FROM "DRIVE" TO "NEUTRAL" AND BACK TO "DRIVE" RESULTS IN TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING IN "DRIVE" UNTIL THE CAR SLOWS TO 20MPH. DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL OVER CAR UNTIL IT REACHES THE 20MPH RANGE AND THE TRANSMISSION THEN ENGAGES IN GEAR. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL, WITH ENGINE RUNNING, IN "DRIVE" WHEN BRAKES ARE RELEASED TO PROCEED FORWARD, THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARD QUICKLY, WITH TRANMISSION ACTING AS IF IN "NEUTRAL" AND ENGINE STALLS AFTER MOVING BACKWARD ABOUT TEN FEET. DRIVER LOSES ALL CONTROL AND POWER OVER CAR.
NHTSA complaint #716765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINS INOPERABLE. DRIVER LOSES ALL TECHINCAL INFORMATION AND OPERATING STATUS OF VEHICLE. DURING DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AN ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF THE GEARSHIFT LEVER FROM "DRIVE" TO "NEUTRAL" AND BACK TO "DRIVE" RESULTS IN TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING IN "DRIVE" UNTIL THE CAR SLOWS TO 20MPH. DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL OVER CAR UNTIL IT REACHES THE 20MPH RANGE AND THE TRANSMISSION THEN ENGAGES IN GEAR. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL, WITH ENGINE RUNNING, IN "DRIVE" WHEN BRAKES ARE RELEASED TO PROCEED FORWARD, THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARD QUICKLY, WITH TRANMISSION ACTING AS IF IN "NEUTRAL" AND ENGINE STALLS AFTER MOVING BACKWARD ABOUT TEN FEET. DRIVER LOSES ALL CONTROL AND POWER OVER CAR.
NHTSA complaint #716765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN DRIVING THE AUTOMOBILE ABOVE 50 MPH IT SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND GOES UP AND DOWN. CONSUMER THINKS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #854483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THAT COULD CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REAR BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY IS REACHING EXTREME TEMPERATURE., CAUSING METAL PARTS TO CRYSTALIZE AND THE RUBBER TO BURN. THE WHOLE REAR AXLE BREAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THAT COULD CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REAR BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY IS REACHING EXTREME TEMPERATURE., CAUSING METAL PARTS TO CRYSTALIZE AND THE RUBBER TO BURN. THE WHOLE REAR AXLE BREAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THAT COULD CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REAR BRAKE DRUM ASSEMBLY IS REACHING EXTREME TEMPERATURE., CAUSING METAL PARTS TO CRYSTALIZE AND THE RUBBER TO BURN. THE WHOLE REAR AXLE BREAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.