2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Late-failing Complaints about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cluster late in its life, with the median arriving at 10.3 yr in service — later than all but 0% of 2000 vehicles. Owners report wear, not out-of-the-box defects. The most-reported system is electrical system (78 complaints), typically at 11.6 yr or about 88,424 miles.
Covers 3 variants: S CLASS (101), S500 (85), S430 (35)
- Complaints
- 214
- Median age at failure
- 10.3 yr
- Median mileage
- 87,878 n=177
- Crash / fire / tow
- 7.5% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 0
Electrical system 53,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V227000 CONCERNING BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE AND THE NOTIFICATION TO THE DEALER, WHO REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND TOLD HIS SIDE OF THE STORY. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST OR AIDE CONSUMER. *AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 6.0 yr in service
FAILURE: 2000 MERCEDES S CLASS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. ALL ELECTRONIC GAUGES, INCLUDING MPH, RPMS, FUEL GAUGE, HEAT SENSOR, ETC., CEASED WORKING ON APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER 10, 2005, AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. I HAVE CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WILL BE TAKING CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I HAVE ALSO CALLED MERCEDES DIRECTLY. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF CAR. I CONSIDER THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
Electrical system 87,000 mi 6.8 yr in service
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN DIMMING INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK. AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE ILLUMINATED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Suspension 75,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE US280, AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF MY 2000 MERCEDES S430 SUDDENLY DROPPED ALMOST 12 INCHES. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH SAYING SOMETHING LIKE: CAR TOO LOW, STOP IMMEDIATELY. *AK AS I TURNED THE STEARING WHEEL TO EXIT TO THE ROAD'S SHOULDER, A LOAD SQUEALING SOUND BEGAN BECAUSE MY WHEELS WERE STRIKING THE CAR'S WHEEL WELLS. THEREFORE, I HAD TO SLOWLY NAVIGATE TO THE RIGHT SO THAT MY TIRES WEREN'T TORN TO SHREADS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PARK AVENUE MOTORS AND THEY REPLACED A HYDRAULIC PUMP THAT CONTROLS RAISING AND LOWERING THE CAR.