2002 Mercedes-Benz S500 problems
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500 has 36 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (39%) concerns electrical system. After that come suspension (17%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 36 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 39% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 62,000 miles 31 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 31 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 62,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 74,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 82% of model years in our database.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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).
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.
Dt: the contact stated when pressing the accelerator pedal there was a three second delay. The vehicle would accelerate suddenly. The delay progressively became worse while driving and eventually the vehicle would not respond at all. The dealership determined the gas pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle locked in park; it was towed to the dealership. The dealership replaced the gear selector housing. The gear would not come out of park. Updated 021/21/06.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz s500. On october 1, 2007, the mileage gauge displayed 26,700. The following day, the gauge displayed 43,000. Ever since the vehicle was purchased in 2005, the windows and sunroof have opened without warning while driving at speeds ranging from 20 to 45MPH. The failure occurred while driving through a car wash and while parked with the engine shut off. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures.