Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes s430. While driving 65 MPH, the contact stated the instrument panel became inoperable and she was unable to see how fast or slow she was traveling, how much fuel was in the vehicle, or how much oil was in the vehicle due to inadequate illumination. The dealer advised the contact that her vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency recall 06v028000 ( interior lighting) and advised her to replace the entire instrument cluster. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting for a response. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages was 98,000.
The worst 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical33
- Suspension21
- Lights18
- Airbags4
- Visibility4
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical33
- Suspension21
- Lights18
- Airbags4
- Visibility4
- Engine3
- Acceleration2
- Steering2
- Locks1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 5
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity causing deterioration of the hose.
- Risk
- This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter. Leaking fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new corrosion resistant abc high pressure distribution hose. The recall began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 07V263000 · Recall details
Interior lighting
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
- Risk
- Due to inadequate illumination, the driver will be unable to read the gauges and indicators, such as the speedometer, which could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules. The recall will be conducted in phases. Phase I was mailed out to approximately 7,500 owners on september 29, 2006. Phase ii and phase iii is scheduled for december 2006. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 06V028000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, during the production process of the blower motor fuse holder, the size of the electric conductor of the holder may be below appropriate tolerances.
- Risk
- Consequently, the electric conductor of the blower motor fuse holder may dissipate more heat than the plastic fuse holder was designed to withstand, which could result in overheating of the holder and disabling of the blower motor and the ability to defrost or defog the windshiled in cold or hot and humid weather conditions. Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new blower motor fuse holders. The recall began during october 2004. Owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 04V227000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, excessive static build-up in the trunk floor mats can cause a static discharge when individuals move or remove items from the trunk compartment.
- Risk
- This can damage the electrical system components located in the trunk, including the vehicle's battery.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a static insulation panel between the carpet and the vehicle battery which will provide an electrical grounding. Owner notification began february 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 02V338000 · Recall details
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to an internal defect in the circuitry of the blower motor regulator, the regulator may overheat.
- Risk
- This could cause surrounding plastic, insulation, and wiring to deform and possibly melt or burn.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the blower motor regulator.
Recall number 00V141000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class
Defect investigations
Air suspension system failure
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 demonstrating the ability of the vehicle to be controlled effectively with a ride height reduced to the minimum.only those complaints to odi and mbusa that alleged a steering interference during a reduced ride height condition were counted in this resume failure report.some complaints alleged that with a reduced ride height and a stop now warning message there was a rubbing noise when turning, but the ability to steer the vehicle was not compromised.a sampling of warranty claims submitted by mbusa did not reveal any indicating a loss of control due to an airmatic system failure.there was one crash reported by mbusa to odi but the information available indicated that it related to suspension systems and it was not possible to verify that the incident was related to an airmatic system failure. Further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and will take further action in the future if warranted.this preliminary evaluation is closed.
PE07042
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 the federal safety agency 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 the subject vehicle, and mercedes-benz is recalling those vehicles within those dates.specific information regarding the failure modes is described in mercedes-benz's report (see the federal safety agency recall 06v028).three of the odi complaints submitted to mercedes-benz involve vehicles that were produced before the dates of production of vehicles affected by the three failure modes.based on review of those three complaints, mercedes-benz was unable to identify a relation of those three to the defects identified in the recalled vehicles.all of the mercedes-benz complaints with vins identified were within the recall population (only 2 vehicle vins were not available to positively identify vehicle build date).the recall population will include 36,911 s class and cl class mercedes-benz vehicles built in the production dates ranging from june 2000 through november 2000, january 2002 through april 2002, and may 2004 through september 2004.these dates of production cover vehicles from the 2000-2002 my and the 2004-2005 my.to correct the condition, mercedes-benz will replace all affected instrument clusters with improved ones that are not subject to the failure modes.mercedes-benz will begin owner notification during the 1st quarter of 2006.
PE05062
Engine crankshaft pulley failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all mercedes-benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 odi complaints reference increased steering effort).there have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report attached for further detail.
PE03058
Technical service bulletins for the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class 11
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning
- Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped...
- Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
- Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door
- The catalytic converter system may be susceptible to in-use damage to internal components under certain...
- After eis replacement circuit 15X delayed after ignition start
- Subject regarding popping or thumping in the speakers
- On some vehicles, upon release of the brake pedal and / or application of the accelerator pedal, there is...
- This is to advise that mercedes-benz usa will conduct a service campaign of certain 2000 and 2001 model...
What 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2000 mercedes s500 cluster ,back lighting , speedometer failed (unable to see instrument cluster) on april ,3 2011 mileage at time of defect 24,568 I saw that there is a recall for my car concerning the problem. I contacted the dealer and , I was inform that the extended warranty expired (recall). So I called the mercedes1-800‑367‑6372 number they informed me the same I was covered but expired. So I called the federal safety agency 1800 number they informed me that I would still be covered because the recall took place in 2006 and it is 10 years before it expires so until 2016. So I will appreciate some help concerning my problem. V.I,n [xxx] the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v028000 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My 2000 mercedes s500 cluster back lighting is going in and out also speedometer I saw that there is a recall for my car concerning the problem. I contacted the dealer and went in on may 28 to see them penske mercedes(626) 859-1200 , I was inform that the extended warranty expired (recall). So I called the mercedes1-800‑367‑6372 ([xxx], case manager) number they informed me the same I was covered but expired. So I called the federal safety agency 1800 number they informed me that I would still be covered because the recall took place in 2006 and it is 10 years before it expires so until 2016. So I will appreciate some help concerning my problem. V.I,n [xxx] the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v028000. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz s-500. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH when the instrument panel gauges became inoperable. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v028000 (interior lighting) but the contacts VIN was not included. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz s-500. The contact noticed the suspension had dropped and was not positioned normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated there was a front suspension kit that needed to be installed. The repairs were performed yet the failure recurred within eighteen months. The dealer was contacted and advised that the front suspension would need to be replaced if the kit did not repair the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front suspension was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v263000 ( suspension) but the contacts VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The accelerator pedal on a 2000 mercedes benz s500 failed and became stuck to the floor causing the vehicle to reach speed in excess of 100m.p.h. Before the vehicle could be shut down by turning off the ignition. Upon a mechanics inspection, it was found that the mechanical safety device to prevent the pedal from becoming stuck had failed causing the pedal to go to wide open throttle and become stuck in that position.
This complaint is related to campaign no 2006080004, septemeber 2006 for mercedes s500 (model 220), model year 2000. The instrument cluster has completely failed with complete loss of illumination, speedometer, and fuel gauge. My chassis end number is a123394 and this does not fall within the narrow serial number range within the original recal campaign. I understand all parts are the same as those recalled and and requesting that the serial number range be widened.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz s430. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard a scraping noise and noticed that the vehicle was lower to the ground than usual. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to an authorized dealer. The contact was informed that the airmatic suspension system had allowed the frame to rub the top of the tires. The vehicle was repaired. The failure occurred again five years later. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was being repaired again. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000 and the current mileage was 130,038. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that the instrument panel was too bright. While driving, the brightness of the fuel gauge adjusted on its own. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The current mileage was approximately 95,000. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes-benz s430. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign id 00v141000 (equipment:electrical:air conditioner) was the exact and precise problem that he was experiencing. The contact smelled a burning odor coming from his heater blower for approximately two years. The dealer was contacted and informed him that the recall did not apply to his vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Compare the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class
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Questions about the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class
Is the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class reliable?
Owners have filed 81 complaints about the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class, 5.4 times a typical S Class model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class?
Electrical system, with 33 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is suspension (21).
How many recalls does the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class have?
5 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, interior lighting and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 04V227000, 02V338000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes Benz S Class have the most electrical problems?
The Mercedes Benz S Class model years with the most electrical complaints are 2000 (33 complaints), 1995 (22 complaints) and 2001 (21 complaints).
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