Mercedes-Benz S 500 recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 116 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz S 500 (model years 2000–2007, 2021, 2023). The most reported problem area is electrical system (66 complaints), followed by interior lighting (22 complaints). The 2021 model year has the most recalls (7).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 55 | 3 | 1 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2000 (55), 2001 (34) and 2002 (25). Among model years at least two years old, the 2021 has the fewest complaints on file (1).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Mercedes-Benz S 500 model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 66 | 4 of 10 | |
| Interior lighting | 22 | 3 of 10 | |
| Suspension | 20 | 3 of 10 | |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 2 of 10 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3 of 10 |
Latest 8 of 10 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V116000 | Feb 24, 2025 | Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components | 2021 | 20,339 |
| 24V807000 | Oct 25, 2024 | Communication: auto crash notification | 2021 | 21 |
| 24V115000 | Feb 16, 2024 | Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers | 2023 | 31,848 |
| 23V880000 | Dec 21, 2023 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump | 2023 | 79,676 |
| 23V445000 | Jun 26, 2023 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump | 2023 | 143,551 |
| 22V493000 | Jul 11, 2022 | Back over prevention: display function | 2021 | 8,530 |
| 22V365000 | May 20, 2022 | Electrical system: software | 2021 | 242,722 |
| 22V214000 | Apr 1, 2022 | Steering: column | 2021 | 4 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 6 complaints and a fire in 3 complaints; 4 people injured and 0 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.