This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Instrument cluster is not working. Only 20,000 miles since owning the car since 1999. The recall for similiar car with same issues but they said not this car.
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000. The VIN was not available.
I was driving on the freeway at 60 when I noticed that my dashboard is dark and I can't see how fast I was going. Then after a while, the light went on again. And this on and off incidents happens every day from the first day.
In reference to campaign 06V028000 what is the basis for exclusion of some cars of the same year vs others" just because the 7 cars that were part of the orginal complaint fall in the narrowly defined VIN range does not mean other cars of the same model and year do not have the same problem. The defective clusters are the same. I have a 2000 S430 with a failed cluster. I have the same problem with the same part for the same model and year that other cars are being repaired for free, but my car is excluded because its VIN range is statistically not in the same narrow VIN range corresponding to the original complaint" this seems very exclusionary given my car is the same model and year and the part is the same and there is no basis to exclude it. I am requesting NHTSA to widen the recall range to be fair to all owners of the same model and year where some are being recalled and some not. If the failed clusters were from different manufacturers that would be one thing, but to exclude cars due to VIN range corresponding to theoriginal7cars as part of the complaint is very lop sided. I request you to please widen the recall. My VIN ending range is[xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the entire instrument panel cluster failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
- New Hope, MN, USA
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Dash lights go out losing speedometer and all instrument aids such as lights high & low, turning signals, and air bag just to mention a few. The dash panel cluster controls so many functions that control of the vehicle becomes dangerous especially at night. Manufacture has treated problem as a warranty issue but it should be recalled before someone gets hurt.
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed. The failure affected the all of the gauges, turn signals, head lights, the horn and prevented the contact from being able to open the trunk. The contact was also concerned that the air bag would not function properly in the event of a crash. The dealer informed the contact that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 100,000.
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 NHTSA 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] NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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.
Instrument cluster on 2000 my Mercedes Benz S500 illumination failed. Cannot see gauges nor odometer. An obvious safety hazard. Both dealer and M-B usa deny coverage under their 10-year warranty extension for this specific issue. The car was placed in service in 12/99 and waited for 10 years and 6 months before failure. Formerly known for durability and reliability over many years, the company is now unwilling to stand behind their defective product. This is a safety issue. Why would there be any time limit on a known safety failure?
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) September 2009 air blower to heater and air conditioning quit working. Mechanic replaced fuse. Air blower worked for 2 days. Returned November 2009 and was told air blower would need to be replaced. February 2010 automatic trunk locks quit working. Now trunk lock only works with key, no longer automatic. March 2010 air blower replaced. Worked one week, then began malfunctioning until it no longer works. March 2010 dash lights began to flicker, then entire dash went out. Door locks no longer automatic, no indicators for speedometer, turn signals, temperature controls etc. Mechanic checked and replaced fuse. No results. Mechanic indicated that instrument cluster would need to be replaced. Internet research resulted in identifying recall of instrument cluster for 2000 "S" series, but that my VIN #[xxx] is not included in the recall. Internet research reveals that all these malfunctions are common among the 2000 "S" series along with the instrument cluster malfunction and does appear to be closely related to the instrument cluster issue. Mechanic indicated that he has replaced hundreds of the instrument clusters for specifically the "S" series, primarily year 2000 and has seen many of the issues with my S430 correlating to the instrument cluster malfunction.
The instrument cluster panel on my S500 2000 Mercedes Benz lost its lighting and then lost all its functions. Mercedes has recalled 36,000 S500 2000 for this problem but my vehicle is not included in the recall. By their own admission, this problem constitutes a safety issue and costs approximately 2000 dollars to correct. I had to pay the money because my vehicle is not covered in the recall. Obviously, it should be. I had the cluster replaced as it was unsafe to drive under the conditions.
My instrument cluster is flickering and I was told by Mercedes West springfield I needed a new cluster at $1710. I searched online and found a recall for the exact same issue on newer S class cars like mine, and many complaints of non-action on older (2000-2002) cars on the part of Mercedes.
: the contact stated that there was overheating with the air conditioner as related to recall #00V141000. The vehicle was taken to the dealers who determined that the blow motor and the regulator needed repairs however the problems were not related to the recall. The contact expressed the dealer did not check the vehicle's VIN number to confirm the analysis. The manufacturer was also alerted who confirmed that the problem was not part of the recall. Problems with the vehicle still persist. The dealer stated a blower motor was needed for the air condition. Updated 07/25/06.
2000 Mercedes S500V steering wheel was replaced. Upon inspection of vehicle mechanic determined that instrument cluster had been worked on before. The vehicle was purchased with an odometer reading of 69 miles. When the consumer contacted the manufacturer he was told that he was not the original owner of the vehicle. The vehicle had been owned by another person for three months. The consumer was then told that warranty work had been performed on the vehicle and that at that time the mileage was 128 miles. A day later, more warranty work was done and the mileage was 220+ miles. A law suit has been filed. Updated 02/24/06.
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.
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- Katonah, NY, USA