Owners have filed 55 complaints
about the 2001 Mercedes Benz S500 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2020.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 8 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 — 85
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz S500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 38
7.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 8
5% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Mercedes Benz S500
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
24.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
49.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
613.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2454.5%
150,000+ miles
818.2%
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.
Sep 2001peak 5Oct 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Mercedes Benz S500
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.
at 106,000 milesLauderhill, FLFire
INTERIOR LIGHTING
MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS (DASH BOARD) WENT OUT ON MY 2001 S500 MERCEDES BENZ CAR. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON OCCASIONALLY AND GO BACK OUT. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS BY CHANGING THE FUSES. WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP MY KIDS NOTICED A SMELL AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD. WE EXITED THE CAR AND FLAGGED DOWN A POLICE OFFICER. WE WERE TOLD TO GET AS MUCH AS WE COULD OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. WITHIN IN SECONDS MY DASH BOARD WAS IN FLAMES. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND IGNITED INTO FLAMES. I CONTACTED MERCEDES TO FIND OUT ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL AND TO REPORT THAT THERE IS A MORE SERIOUS DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I WAS ASKED WHAT DID I EXPECT FOR THEM TO DO? THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE CLUSTER FROM THE DASH BOARD TO ASSURE THE FIRE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IDENTIFIED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AS THE CAUSE OF FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10421253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesLauderhill, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS (DASH BOARD) WENT OUT ON MY 2001 S500 MERCEDES BENZ CAR. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON OCCASIONALLY AND GO BACK OUT. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS BY CHANGING THE FUSES. WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP MY KIDS NOTICED A SMELL AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD. WE EXITED THE CAR AND FLAGGED DOWN A POLICE OFFICER. WE WERE TOLD TO GET AS MUCH AS WE COULD OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. WITHIN IN SECONDS MY DASH BOARD WAS IN FLAMES. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND IGNITED INTO FLAMES. I CONTACTED MERCEDES TO FIND OUT ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL AND TO REPORT THAT THERE IS A MORE SERIOUS DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I WAS ASKED WHAT DID I EXPECT FOR THEM TO DO? THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE CLUSTER FROM THE DASH BOARD TO ASSURE THE FIRE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IDENTIFIED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AS THE CAUSE OF FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10421253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,633 milesMira Loma, CACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHERS, ENDED IN A CORNFIELD. SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF. THE GAS PEDDLE WENT TO EXTREME RPM. NOW WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT ALL OF US ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE COULD HARM US,OR SOMEONE ELSE.
NHTSA complaint #10290820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest Park, WACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE INTERRUPT CAUSED BY BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION CAUSES CAR TO HAVE DEAD SPOT WHILE ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #752428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fresno, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR MAKES NOISES LIKE I'M PULLING A TRAILER AND I'M NOT.. IN JULY MY RIGHT SHOCK WENT OUT SO I REPAIRED IT.. THEN PRIOR TO THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DETECTED SO I REPAIRED THAT AND JUST LAST WEEK MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT. MY SUSPENSION IS REALLY MESSED UP AND I CAN'T SHIFT AT ALL
NHTSA complaint #11365685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR MAKES NOISES LIKE I'M PULLING A TRAILER AND I'M NOT.. IN JULY MY RIGHT SHOCK WENT OUT SO I REPAIRED IT.. THEN PRIOR TO THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DETECTED SO I REPAIRED THAT AND JUST LAST WEEK MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT. MY SUSPENSION IS REALLY MESSED UP AND I CAN'T SHIFT AT ALL
NHTSA complaint #11365685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR MAKES NOISES LIKE I'M PULLING A TRAILER AND I'M NOT.. IN JULY MY RIGHT SHOCK WENT OUT SO I REPAIRED IT.. THEN PRIOR TO THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DETECTED SO I REPAIRED THAT AND JUST LAST WEEK MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT. MY SUSPENSION IS REALLY MESSED UP AND I CAN'T SHIFT AT ALL
NHTSA complaint #11365685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesOrangeville, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE PURCHASED OUR 2001 MERCEDES S-500 USED. EVERYTHING RAN FINE. AFTER RUNNING IT THROUGH AN AUTO CARWASH WITH A UNDER BODY SPRAY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR WAS SOAKED. ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDED NON FUNCTIONING LOCKS, WINDOWS, AIR, ALL LIGHTS FLICKERING, SEAT CONTROLS, HORN, HAZARD LIGHTS, SUNROOF, DASH CONTROL, VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. THESE MALFUNCTIONS OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED. WHEN WE TURNED THE KEY OFF AND REMOVED THEM, THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN. WE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN STILL FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5 MINUTES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, WE HAVE DISCOVERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME SITUATIONS INCLUDING PASSENGER FLOOR BEING SOAKED RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL FAULTING. (SEE ATTACHED PICTURE) COMPLAINT BELOW MENTIONS A STUPID REPAIR KIT AT OWNERS COST MEANING MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS POSSIBLY DEADLY FAULT IN THEIR VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #11323603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,225 milesManassas, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER LIGHT NOT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11228415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS RIDING MY VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT IT WAS BATTERY BUT IT WASN'T THE CAUSE IT DRAINED 4 BATTERIES I HAD ON WARRANTY AND 1 I HAD TO PURCHASE. I FOUND OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DRAINS THE BATTERY AND LOSS OF POWER. I REACHED TO A MECHANIC AND HE LET ME KNOW THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS CAUSING THE POWER LOSS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND REALIZE THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR THIS DEFECT. THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE A SERIOUS INCIDENT IF WASN'T PROPERLY AWARE. I WOULD TO HAVE A RECALL IF POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #11124600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY
MBUSA PARTIALLY COVERED ($2400) COST FOR $5800 TOTAL REPAIR TO REMOVE RUST IN 2011 BUT RUST HAS RETURNED TO BOTH REAR QUARTER PANELS AND DOORS. DOCUMENTATION THAT PAINT WAS NOT PREPPED PROPERLY FOR ALL 2001 S500 MODELS, HOWEVER, NOT COVERED FOR COST TO REPAIR, REIMBURSE FOR COSTS INCURRED OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE FINISH. CURRENT QUOTE FOR REPAIRS ESTIMATED OVER $7500.00
NHTSA complaint #11103463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesDenver, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON 225 AND CHAMBERS AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AS SOON AS A HIT THE GAS MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. I NO LONGER HAD LIGHT AND MY GAUGES WERE NOT RESPONDING EITHER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEEN SOME FORUMS ABOUT THE RECALL SO I CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SAFETY CONCERN THE RECALL WAS CLOSED JUNE 2011. I PURCHASED THE CAR JUNE 2010 AND NO ONE REACHED OUT. I HAVE ONLY ONE CAR AND I CAN NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE I CANT SEE THE SPEED OR IF I EVEN HAVE GAS. I HAVE KIDS AND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I WORK BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY $1800.00 TO FIX THIS AND I SHOULDNT HAVE TO. I CANT UNDERSTAND HOW A SAFETY RECALL CAN EXPIRE. SEEMS AS IF THERE IS NO TRUE REGARD TO SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10940293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesDenver, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON 225 AND CHAMBERS AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AS SOON AS A HIT THE GAS MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. I NO LONGER HAD LIGHT AND MY GAUGES WERE NOT RESPONDING EITHER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEEN SOME FORUMS ABOUT THE RECALL SO I CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SAFETY CONCERN THE RECALL WAS CLOSED JUNE 2011. I PURCHASED THE CAR JUNE 2010 AND NO ONE REACHED OUT. I HAVE ONLY ONE CAR AND I CAN NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE I CANT SEE THE SPEED OR IF I EVEN HAVE GAS. I HAVE KIDS AND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I WORK BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY $1800.00 TO FIX THIS AND I SHOULDNT HAVE TO. I CANT UNDERSTAND HOW A SAFETY RECALL CAN EXPIRE. SEEMS AS IF THERE IS NO TRUE REGARD TO SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10940293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesDenver, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2010 IN JUNE AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL BEARING AND JOINTS AND THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN I WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK IN TRAFFIC AT AROUND 5 PM WHEN MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT OUT NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE WORKING I COULDNT SEE ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10939271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesDenver, CO
SUSPENSION
I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2010 IN JUNE AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL BEARING AND JOINTS AND THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN I WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK IN TRAFFIC AT AROUND 5 PM WHEN MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT OUT NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE WORKING I COULDNT SEE ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10939271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesDenver, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2010 IN JUNE AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL BEARING AND JOINTS AND THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN I WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK IN TRAFFIC AT AROUND 5 PM WHEN MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT OUT NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE WORKING I COULDNT SEE ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10939271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesChicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOR THE SECOND TIME THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING HAD TO BE REPLACE BY THE DEALER. IT DID THE SAME THING IT DID UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL. NO LIGHTING IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10872037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesChicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE SECOND TIME THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING HAD TO BE REPLACE BY THE DEALER. IT DID THE SAME THING IT DID UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL. NO LIGHTING IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10872037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesChicago Hieghts, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING BECAME VERY DIM AND SHUT OFF. THE ELECTRICAL FUSE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED, BUT EVENTUALLY RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. ...UPDATED 06/03/15 *BF UPDATED 06/17/15.
NHTSA complaint #10712187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 234,000 milesMacon, GA
POWER TRAIN
WHEN BACKING UP IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGINS TO SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. ONCE IN DRIVE IT BEGINS TO SHAKE AND MOVES SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC THEN SLOWLY PICKS UP SPEED AFTER AN UNUSUALLY LONG DURATION. DASHBOARD IS ALMOST TOTALLY BLACKED OUT CANNOT READ GAUGES (GAS LEVEL,SPEED ODOMETER, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, MILEAGE). FINALLY, THE AIR CONDITIONING SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOWING.
NHTSA complaint #10706624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 234,000 milesMacon, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN BACKING UP IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGINS TO SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. ONCE IN DRIVE IT BEGINS TO SHAKE AND MOVES SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC THEN SLOWLY PICKS UP SPEED AFTER AN UNUSUALLY LONG DURATION. DASHBOARD IS ALMOST TOTALLY BLACKED OUT CANNOT READ GAUGES (GAS LEVEL,SPEED ODOMETER, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, MILEAGE). FINALLY, THE AIR CONDITIONING SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOWING.
NHTSA complaint #10706624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 234,000 milesMacon, GA
ENGINE
WHEN BACKING UP IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGINS TO SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. ONCE IN DRIVE IT BEGINS TO SHAKE AND MOVES SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC THEN SLOWLY PICKS UP SPEED AFTER AN UNUSUALLY LONG DURATION. DASHBOARD IS ALMOST TOTALLY BLACKED OUT CANNOT READ GAUGES (GAS LEVEL,SPEED ODOMETER, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, MILEAGE). FINALLY, THE AIR CONDITIONING SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOWING.
NHTSA complaint #10706624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesMays Landing, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE BACK LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT ILLUMINATE THE SPEED MARKINGS STARTED TO FLICKER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TURNED OFF AND WENT DARK. THEN AFTER A FEW MINUETS, THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING AT.
NHTSA complaint #10694437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesMays Landing, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE BACK LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT ILLUMINATE THE SPEED MARKINGS STARTED TO FLICKER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TURNED OFF AND WENT DARK. THEN AFTER A FEW MINUETS, THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING AT.
NHTSA complaint #10694437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesMays Landing, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE BACK LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT ILLUMINATE THE SPEED MARKINGS STARTED TO FLICKER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TURNED OFF AND WENT DARK. THEN AFTER A FEW MINUETS, THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING AT.
NHTSA complaint #10694437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSalem, OR
STEERING
RIGHT FRONT END CONTINUOUSLY LOWERING FOR MONTHS. TRIED FILTERING ABC FLUID AND CHANGING FILTERS SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY PUMP FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACING AT $4,000. OEM PUMP ONLY AVAILABLE. AFTER REPAIR, ADVISED THAT THE VALVE BLOCK MAY STILL NEED REPLACING FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4,000. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING CONTROL ARM RUBBER MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND GRINDING AGAINST THE FRONT SUBFRAME. SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED BOTH ARMS AND SUBFRAME REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $3,000. SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER VALUED AT THIS TOTAL EXPENSE, I ORDERED PARTS ON-LINE AND MET A FRIEND TO REPAIR BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS AS RECOMMENDED. JUST PRIOR TO MAKING THIS REPAIR, MY FRIEND IDENTIFIED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (ORDER # P-B-33. 15/12C/12D, DATED 4 SEPT 2008) ISSUED BY MERCEDES TO REPAIR THIS CONTROL ARM AND RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT MERCEDES TO FIX AT NO CHARGE. TWO MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE TSB, TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT OUTSTANDING RECALLS OR WARRANTY ISSUES, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT A COVERED REPAIR. HOPING SOMEONE CAN ADVISE IF THIS CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT IS COVERED BY MERCEDES.
NHTSA complaint #10667704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSalem, OR
SUSPENSION
RIGHT FRONT END CONTINUOUSLY LOWERING FOR MONTHS. TRIED FILTERING ABC FLUID AND CHANGING FILTERS SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY PUMP FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACING AT $4,000. OEM PUMP ONLY AVAILABLE. AFTER REPAIR, ADVISED THAT THE VALVE BLOCK MAY STILL NEED REPLACING FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4,000. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING CONTROL ARM RUBBER MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND GRINDING AGAINST THE FRONT SUBFRAME. SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED BOTH ARMS AND SUBFRAME REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $3,000. SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER VALUED AT THIS TOTAL EXPENSE, I ORDERED PARTS ON-LINE AND MET A FRIEND TO REPAIR BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS AS RECOMMENDED. JUST PRIOR TO MAKING THIS REPAIR, MY FRIEND IDENTIFIED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (ORDER # P-B-33. 15/12C/12D, DATED 4 SEPT 2008) ISSUED BY MERCEDES TO REPAIR THIS CONTROL ARM AND RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT MERCEDES TO FIX AT NO CHARGE. TWO MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE TSB, TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT OUTSTANDING RECALLS OR WARRANTY ISSUES, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT A COVERED REPAIR. HOPING SOMEONE CAN ADVISE IF THIS CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT IS COVERED BY MERCEDES.
NHTSA complaint #10667704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesRichmond Hill, GA
POWER TRAIN
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UP-SHIFT GEARS AND GOT STUCK IN THIRD GEAR WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS A TRACTOR TRAILER WITH OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME ATTEMPTING TO DO THE SAME. SUBSEQUENTLY, I MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING EXTERNALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD STAND OUT IN A VISUAL INSPECTION. NEXT, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, FORCEFULLY PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO A SHOP. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE DESIGN AND MATERIALS USED FOR THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS THAT ENABLES TRANSMISSION FLUID TO WICK UP THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE UP INTO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT THAT IS ENCASED IN PLASTIC AND LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD. AS IMPOSSIBLE AS IT SOUNDS, TRANSMISSION FLUID TRAVELS UP THIS BUNDLE OF WIRES AND POOLS IN THE ENCASEMENT DISRUPTING THE ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION. EQUALLY CONFUSING, THE ELECTRIC CURRENT FROM THE WIRES PULLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID UP THE WIRING HARNESS. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY THIS DESIGN OR MATERIALS WOULD BE UTILIZED ON THIS OR ANY OTHER CAR KNOWING WHAT THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME WOULD BE FOR CONSUMERS, $$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10632278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesRichmond Hill, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UP-SHIFT GEARS AND GOT STUCK IN THIRD GEAR WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS A TRACTOR TRAILER WITH OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME ATTEMPTING TO DO THE SAME. SUBSEQUENTLY, I MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING EXTERNALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD STAND OUT IN A VISUAL INSPECTION. NEXT, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, FORCEFULLY PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO A SHOP. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE DESIGN AND MATERIALS USED FOR THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS THAT ENABLES TRANSMISSION FLUID TO WICK UP THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE UP INTO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT THAT IS ENCASED IN PLASTIC AND LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD. AS IMPOSSIBLE AS IT SOUNDS, TRANSMISSION FLUID TRAVELS UP THIS BUNDLE OF WIRES AND POOLS IN THE ENCASEMENT DISRUPTING THE ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION. EQUALLY CONFUSING, THE ELECTRIC CURRENT FROM THE WIRES PULLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID UP THE WIRING HARNESS. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY THIS DESIGN OR MATERIALS WOULD BE UTILIZED ON THIS OR ANY OTHER CAR KNOWING WHAT THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME WOULD BE FOR CONSUMERS, $$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10632278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.