Model year record
2002 Mercedes-Benz S500 recalls & problems
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 25 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (14 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
S500
| City / highway | 14 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel | 14 | 73,963 mi |
| SuspensionFront › Springs › Air suspension system; Front | 6 | 60,000 mi |
| Interior lighting | 4 | 81,640 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor | 3 | 56,000 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift | 2 | — |
| VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Power window devices and controls | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 1 | — |
| EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
See attached document for complaint.
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel and dashboard lights were off. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that his daughter was able to drive the vehicle since the exterior lights were working properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the instrument cluster had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V028000 (Interior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an extended warranty had been issued for the failure…
- Interior lighting
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500. The contact stated that the instrument cluster had started to flicker and had eventually gone completely blank without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V028000 (Interior Lighting). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the contact with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. The defective instrument cluster also prevents the owner of these cars not knowing when the vehicle air shocks can and will suddenly drop without warning like the rear air…
- Interior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED UPON START-UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOS ANGELES (1801 S. FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90015) WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. ## VIN PASSED ## 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500 ##
- Air bagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500V. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THEIR GREEN LIGHT. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION RAN THEIR LIGHT AND THEY CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER'S DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE PERSON THAT CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED. THERE WAS NO NEED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LUXURY AUTO PARK (17651 OAK PARK AVE, TINLEY PARK, IL 60477 (708) 444-4445) WHERE THE MECHANICS WERE WAITING ON INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO COMPLETE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT…
- Electrical system
MY DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING NOT MY SPEED DASH IS DARK NIGHT AND DAY
- Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK, WHICH WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,140.
- Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BURNED OUT AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE MISSED THE WARRANTY BY THREE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILUREClosed
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 RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM, AN ALERT WILL FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING THE DRIVER TO EITHER DRIVE CAREFULLY OR TO STOP THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT CAN BE REDUCED BY AS MUCH AS 105 MM BELOW NORMAL RIDE HEIGHT BEFORE THE FULL LOAD OF THE VEHICLE FOR THAT WHEEL COMES TO REST ON A STEEL ROD, WITH A RUBBER STOP ON THE END, LOCATED IN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.THIS REST-STOP CONDITION IS DESIGNED SUCH THAT THERE IS NO IMPACT ON VEHICLE CONTROL.MERCEDES-BENZ (MBUSA) SUPPLIED VIDEO SHOWING A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION OPERATING UNDER SEVERAL DIFFERENT SITUATIONS INCLUDING EVASIVE MANEUVERS…