2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 Electrical System Problems

Please help me My 2000 s500L Mercedes’ Benz dashboard have been blinking for 4 months now it has finally completely went out I am complaining on my behalf in my daughter in wife please NHTSA we cannot see anything on our car dashboard our vehicle have been inspected at two independent service dealer theses symptoms appear to have been happening 1 year after purchasing from dealer please NHSTA we need a recall on our dashboard cluster. I cannot attend work until the cluster gets fix it’s so dangerous driving with a broken cause this recall will be a blessing to our family.

LAST NIGHT WE HAD TROPICAL STORM ETA IN FLORIDA. WE HAD ABOUT 10 INCHES OF RAIN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 70F AND 80F. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON HIGH GROUND BUT IN THE RAIN. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FLOODED WITH WATER UNDER THE CARPET. I HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK OR THE SOURCE OF THE SHORT YET BUT THE CAR IS IN MY SHOP. I DRILLED HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO DRAIN THE WATER FOR NOW. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING, THE WIPERS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND OTHER LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF ON THERE OWN, THE CAR STAYED RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, THE SOS LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, THE SPEAKERS WERE POPPING, THE THROTTLE CONTROLS WERE ACTING ODD AND NOT CORRESPONDING WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL, THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND OR STAY ON LONGER THAN NORMAL, THE TRANSMISSION WAS GETTING STUCK IN GEARS, THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS ACTING WEIRD, I PRESSED THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THE TAIL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND I HAD A FULL TANK, THE SPEED AND RPM WERE WORKING NORMAL, OUTSIDE TEMP WAS GOING ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE CLOCK, THE AC BLOWER SPEED WAS CHANGING AND TURNING OFF, THE WINDOWS WOULD WORK THEN NOT WORK, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF, BASICALLY THE CAR WOULD START AND RUN BUT ALMOST EVERY SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS THE SECOND MERCEDES I HAVE OWNED THAT DID THIS. I TOOK VIDEOS BUT THEY WERE TOO BIG TO SHARE.

Mileage: 120,000

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ONLY WORKS WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT.

Mileage: 110,000

I WAS GETTING STUFF FROM THE TRUNK. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE CAR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SORCE OF THE FIRE IT WAA THE BLOWER RESISTOR. THE WIRING TO THE BLOWER WAS BURNT AT THE CONNECTOR. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE EVAPORATOR BOX WAS DAMAGED.

Mileage: 120,000

I JUST BOUGHT MY MERCEDES S500 TWO WEEKS AGO. IT ONLY HAD ONE OWNER, 98,000 MILES AND GOOD CAR FAX. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE COMPLETELY DARK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING!! I CANT TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE NOR HOW FAST I AM DRIVING! I RESEARCH TODAY AND FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT IS NOW EXPIRED. HOW AND WHY DOES A RECALL EXPIRE??!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WONT BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I HAVE CHILDREN TO TRANSPORT AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A ACCIDENT OR RECEIVE A TICKET FOR DRIVING TOO FAST! ITS SO UNFAIR THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL. HOW IS THIS FAIR TO A BUYER WHO WOULD HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS!!! SO I GUESS IF ME AND MY CHILDREN GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND DIED, MERCEDES WOULD SAY "OH WELL, THE RECALL EXPIRED". BULLSHIT!!! I AM SO ANGRY. AND THEY DON'T CARE!!!!

ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT SLOWLY DIM, FLICKED, AND 95% LIGHTS WERE SHUT OFF INCLUDED SPEEDOMETER, THE REST WERE VERY DIM HARDLY SEE ANYTHING. INSIDE MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DARK AT THAT POINT, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY, I HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THAT WAS VERY SCARY!! DUE TO THIS KIND OF DEFECTIVE, THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN DRIVING CONDITION AT NIGHT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 90K MILE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND I HAD FOUND FEW FORUMS DISCUSSED ABOUT THE SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH S500. BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR WHICH RELATED TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN NHTSA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WAS ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WOULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFETY MATTER. GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GAUGES FAILED TO INDICATE ANY READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05062 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

Mileage: 188,000

ALL FOUR DOORS AND TRUNK OF CAR WILL NOT LOCK OR ENGAGE USING THE CAR KEY REMOTELY BUT THE LIGHTS WILL BLINK WHEN KEY IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH DOWN ON ALL FOUR LOCKS TO LOCK THE CAR. ALSO, I HAVE TO MANUALLY USE/INSERT THE CAR KEY TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. FRONT PASSENGER CAR SEAT WILL NOT MOVE OR RECLINE WHEN DOOR PANEL BUTTONS ARE PUSHED. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND NO FAULT CAN BE FOUND. SUN VISOR STAYS DOWN AND CAN NOT STAY UP. I BELIEVE THESE ARE ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Mileage: 151,000

I WAS HAVING AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM AND I LOOKED IT UP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS AND I WROTE DOWN THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER (06V028000) AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT MY VIN WAS IN THE RECALL BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THIS WAS JULY 2014. I ALSO CALLED MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS RECALL FIXED? IN ADDITION TO THIS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY VIN EXPIRED OR DO I HAVE TIME TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

THE BACK LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. *TR

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE... AS LIKE THE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE VERY SAME DEVICE-FAILURE; I'VE COME TO NOW KNOW THAT THIS' A WIDELY KNOWN MBUSA VEHICLE RECALL ISSUE THAT WAS QUICKLY & EXTREMELY DISCRIMINATORY & NON-EXHAUSTIVE RECALL (HALF)EFFORT... AT BEST! I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO ATTEMPT CONTACTING THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) AND INQUIRED AS TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL &/OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE NOTIFIED BY MBUSA OF THIS RECALL... ALL OF WHICH THE ANSWER(S) WERE NO. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND HAS BEEN KEPT PRISTINE... TO DATE! AS LIKE THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS; MBUSA'S WELL AWARE OF THIS YET THE RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED KNOWING THAT THERE ARE POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THESE FAULTY DEVICES AND KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT EXHAUSTIVELY ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS; HENCE KNOWING THAT THERE'S MILLIONS TO BE MADE AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ONCE WE START ROLLING IN AFTER THE RECALL CLOSURE DATE ($$$$)!!! NEVER WAS THERE ADEQUATE, EXHAUSTIVE NOR EXTENSIVE EFFORTS PUT FORTH WITH THIS RECALL; AS WELL AS A SMALL WINDOW TO TOTALLY & EFFECTIVELY RECALL THE VAST NUMBER OF VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH IT... PLEASE NOTE THE NUMEROUS & IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS YOU'VE RECEIVED REGARDING THIS ISSUE! AT LEAST FORCE/MANDATE MBUSA TO COVER PARTS/DEVICE TO THIS RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR... OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO COVER THIS WELL DOCUMENTED RECALL! I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL MAJOR RECALLS; THIS' A FIRST OF SUCH CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS PUT FORTH ONTO THE OWNER... PLEASE REMEMBER THIS' SOMETHING MBUSA KNEW WAS DEFECTIVE/FAULTY AND HALF-HEARTEDLY ATTEMPTED A JOKE-OF-A-RECALL; IF DEATHS BECOME AN ISSUE WHAT WOULD YOU DO KNOWING THAT OWNERS HAVE SOUGHT ASSISTANCE TO NO AVAIL OF MBUSA NOR THIS AGENCY'S DECISIONS? PLEASE HELP!!! I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM A MINOR SURGICAL PROCEDURE WHEN IT WENT OUT! *TR

Mileage: 127,097

WHILE RETURNING FROM TAKING MY HUSBAND TO HAVE A SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON I-75. I NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT INSTANTLY WENT BLACK. I CAME CLOSE TO BEING INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANY IMPORTANT INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND GASOLINE LEVEL ON VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO IS MERCEDES CERTIFIED AND HE INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. I ASKED IF HE COULD REPAIR THE CLUSTER. HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP CAUSE OF THE RISK OF DRIVING. I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN MACON, GA AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,312.00 FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL I WAS TOLD THAT IT EXPIRED FOUR YEARS AGO. I TOOK IT UPON MY SELF TO LOOK INTO THE RECALL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RECALL CAME OUT IN NOVEMBER 2005 AND THEN EXPIRED FEBRUARY 2006. WHICH IN OTHER WORDS WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE OWNERS. IF THE RECALL WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN WHY WAS THERE A EXPIRATION DATE? IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THE TIME FRAME WHEN THE OWNER COMES IN TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE POINT IS THAT YOU ISSUED A RECALL AND FOR THE INTEGRITY AND UTMOST SAFETY OF YOUR CONSUMER AND THEIR FAMILY WHICH CONSIST OF SMALL CHILDREN. WE CHOSE YOUR VEHICLE FOR THAT REASON" SAFETY". WHEN I WANTED TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FOR "MY FAMILY" I CHOSE MERCEDES BENZ. BUT NOW YOU TELL ME YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE POINT IS THAT YOU NEW OF THE RECALL THAT'S WHY IT WAS ISSUED AND ONLY ALLOWED FOUR MONTHS FOR REPAIRS. WHAT IF THERE WAS ACCIDENTS OR PEOPLE BEING KILLED. YOU WOULD HAVE TO WRITE A HUGE CHECK FOR LAW SUITES. SO TO ME WHY GO THROUGH THAT WHEN YOU CAN REPLACE A PART FOR A LITTLE TO NOTHING THAN LIVES THAT ARE IRREPLACABLE.THE COMPANY STANDS TO PROFIT MILLIONS IF WE PAY FOR"THEIR RECALL!" ALL I'M ASKING IS TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE! *TR

Mileage: 127,097

WAS DRIVING AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME ARE NOT. THIS MERCEDES BENZ USA "VIN DISCRIMINATION" IS UNFAIR & UNETHICAL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AND WIDEN THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062. MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, ALWAYS GARAGED, W/ ONLY 45,000 MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THIS PRICEY $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, BRAKE PROBLEMS, MAINTENANCE ISSUES, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER IS EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. MY CAR WAS IN THE EARLY DATES OF MANUFACTURE FOR THE 2000 S500. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM IMPLORING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME ARE NOT. THIS MERCEDES BENZ USA "VIN DISCRIMINATION" IS UNFAIR & UNETHICAL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AND WIDEN THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

PLEASE RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE05-062 AS MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AT 45K MILES ON THE CAR AND YOU AND MBUSA DECIDED TO DISCRIMINATE WHICH CARS WERE INCLUDED IN THE MAJOR RECALL - WHY NOT ALL VEHICLES. MY CAR IS IN PRISTINE SHAPE, ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED, NOT TO MENTION A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I HAVE MANY PHOTOS IF YOU NEED ME TO EMAIL THEM TO YOU. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND THE DEALER INSISTS ON $1500 TO REPAIR. THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY NOT TO MENTION LIFE THREATENING AND DANGEROUS. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 45,000

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF IN MAY 2013 AT AROUND 44K. THEN, JANUARY 2014, THE CLUSTER WENT DARK FOREVER. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY; THE CAR IS 14 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT SHAPE, 44K (NOW 45K) MILES, AND THE CLUSTER COMPLETELY FAILED! THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED SO THIS WAS QUITE SHOCKING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATA CENTER WOULD FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON MY BEAUTIFUL $90K CAR. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTROLS THE INTERIOR DOOR AND FLOOR LIGHTS, STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, LOCKS, TRUNK; THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LIST THAT NOW DOESN'T WORK. NOTE: THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU USE THE STICK KEY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD. BEWARE: IF YOU'RE IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT NIGHT AND WANT TO PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR TRUNK, FORGET IT, AS YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS AND IT TAKES SO LONG TO OPEN THE TRUNK THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY GET MUGGED IN THE MEANTIME, PLUS, THERE'S PROBABLY A MUGGER IN YOUR CAR TOO AS YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR AND THE ALARM DOESN'T WORK; ONLY THE TRUNK LOCKS, PERMANENTLY. ALSO, SINCE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY DARK, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE, HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE, OVERHEATING, ETC. MY VIN NUMBER SEEMS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM BEING CORRECTED BY MBUSA. THIS IS VERY EXCLUSIONARY GIVEN MY CAR IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR PLUS THE PART IS THE SAME AS THOSE S500'S INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; WHY? I AM REQUESTING NHTSA WIDEN THE RECALL RANGE TO BE FAIR TO ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHERE SOME ARE BEING RECALLED AND SOME ARE NOT. THIS MERCEDES BENZ USA "VIN DISCRIMINATION" IS UNFAIR & UNETHICAL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE RECONSIDER AND WIDEN THE RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT ON A FAMILY TRIP ON 3/10/13. I CHANGED THE 5A FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE TRUNK AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, JUST TO HAVE IT BLOW OUT AGAIN. THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN, THE PARKTRONICS WILL NOT FUNCTION, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE READ ON THE BENZWORLD.ORG SITE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MBUSA THOUGH ONLY A SELECT NUMBER OF VIN'S ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. OF COURSE, MY VIN LOOKS TO NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. WE WOULD LIKE OUR VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. 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 THE ORIGINAL 7 CARS AS PART OF THE COMPLAINT IS VERY LOP SIDED. I REQUEST YOU TO PLEASE WIDEN THE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 90,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY CURRENT SPEED ALONG WITH OTHER STATUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY CURRENT SPEED ALONG WITH OTHER STATUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

SITUATION FIRST STARTED OVER THE SUMMER TIME WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM BELLINGHAM TO SEATTLE FOR WORK AND I GOT INTO THE CAR, BUT THE A/C DIDN'T EVEN WORK. I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. I TRIED EVERYTHING FROM ECONOMY MODE, AUTOMATIC, REGULAR AIR, ETC. ONCE I HIT 10 MILES AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE AIR CAME BACK ON. IT WORKED THE REST OF THE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY. THEN 2 DAYS LATER AND IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, BUT CAME BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER OR LATER THAT DAY. THIS SAME PROBLEM KEPT GOING ON UNTIL ABOUT LATE OCTOBER 2012. IN LATE OCTOBER, THE WHOLE SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY (DEFROSTER, A/C, AND HEATER). NO AIR CAME OUT WHATSOEVER AND WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD MY DAD DO SOME WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SOME WATER CAME DRAINED OUT AND LET IT DRY FOR A WHILE, THEN IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT THEN A WEEK AFTER THAT, IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. WE TRIED FIXING IT AND STILL NOTHING IS WORKING. THEN ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2013, I CAME BACK FROM TOKYO AND GOT INTO MY CAR AT THE AIRPORT, AND THE NOTHING HAD CHANGED. LATER THAT NIGHT, I GOT INTO MY CAR, AND NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WAS WORKING. NO LIGHTS, NO SPEEDOMETER, NO TEMPERATURE, NO TIME, NO RPM INDICATOR. NOTHING. PROBLEM STILL IS HAPPENING. THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL AUTOMATICALLY. NO KEYLESS WAY AND NO DOOR LATCH. I HAD TO USE MY PHYSICAL METAL KEY TO GET IT OPEN, BUT THEN I DID THAT AND ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPENED UP TOO. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

REQUEST TO RE-OPEN "PE 05-062" INVESTIGATION & ORDER AN EXPANSION OF THE RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON ALL MODELS AFFECTED. ON OR ABOUT 8/17/2010, I FIRST NOTICED THE FLICKERING OF THE CLUSTER PANEL (CP) , WHICH WOULD COME AND OFF; I THEN CONTACTED A MB DEALER IN MY AREA AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM/DEFECT AND THE DEALER IN TURN CONTACTED MB TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CP. THE DEALER WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL BUT RATHER, SUBJECT TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY; I THEN CONTACTED MB AND DEMANDED PROOF AS TO THE RATIONALE FOR RECALLING VERY FEW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND DEMANDED DOCUMENTATION AS REGARDS THE MANUFACTURERS OF THIS PRODUCT(CP). THE COUNSEL FOR MB, MR. ZEPF RESPONDED ON 9/24/2010 WITH A CONVOLUTED EXPLANATION AND AT THE SAME REFUSING TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. ON 12/04/2011, I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR LIGHTS(BRAKE, ETC) WERE NOT COMING ON, I HAVE SINCE STOPPED USING MY VEHICLE. MB HAS INTENTIONALLY LIMITED THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED AND DESPITE THE INABILITY OF MB TO EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP OF THREE(3) ODI COMPLAINTS THAT WERE PRODUCED BEFORE THE DATES OF PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE THREE FAILURE MODES IDENTIFIED BY MB.[A. MOTAMEMEDAMIN 2/8/06] ALSO, PLEASE VISIT BENZWORLD.ORG - MB DISCUSSION FORUM FOR ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. MB HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REPORTING REQUIREMENT OF TITLE 49 C.F.R. 573.6(C)(2) "IDENTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT POTENTIALLY CONTAINING THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE MANUFACTURER'S BASIS FOR ITS DETERMINATION OF THE RECALL POPULATION AND A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT TO BE RECALLED DIFFER FROM SIMILAR VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL"; SAME CP, PROBLEM ON ALL VEHICLES. UPDATED 01/06/12 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 01/06/12 UPDATED IVOQ 01/10/12 *TR

Mileage: 69,565

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ 500S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

Mileage: 52,000

BACKGROUND ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED (2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500, MODEL # 220.175, VIN# [XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 25,000

I HAVE A 2000 S500 MERCEDES. THE PROBLEM IS THE CLUSTER PANEL IT WENT OUT I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT ONLY THE ONES ON THE LIST FOR THE RECALL ARE GETTING DONE. I WORK GRAVEYARD SO I DRIVE AT NIGHT. I CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. THE RECALL IS FOR 2000 S500? IF MY MERCEDES IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 151,000

MY 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S-500 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED FLICKERING OFF AND ON ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THEN WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2009 WHILE RETURNING FROM A SUPER BOWL PARTY. I HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 90 MILES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM MY INDICATION AND SAFETY SYSTEM ON A $80,000 VEHICLE. AFTER DAYS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AND COUNTLESS HOURS OF SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I DECIDED TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TO RESET TO CARS COMPUTER. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO DO APPROX TWICE A YEAR WHEN MY RADIO, CD, NAVIGATION AND PHONE GOES OUT. THAT DID THE TRICK FOR NOW. I CALLED MY LOCAL MB DEALER IN GERMANTOWN, MD AFTER READING SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN SO THAT THEY COULD HOOK IT UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AT $195.00 PER HOUR. AFTER READING THE COMMENTS HERE AND KNOWING THAT MB HAS THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAS FIXED APPROX 7 CARS. I OWN 2 MB A 98 C-CLASS AND A 2000 S-500 AND LOVE BOTH OF MY CARS BUT I WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLE. I WILL STICK HONDA OR ACURA FROM NOW OWN. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO MB FOR SERVICE, I HAVE BEEN SCREWED OVER. NOW HAVE A VIBRATION WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING THROUGH LOWER GEARS. MB SAYS IT IS A BEARING IN MY DRIVE SHAFT AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT MY LOCAL MECHANIC AT ANOTHER SERVICE STATION SAYS IT'S A BEARING IN MY DRIVE SHAFT THAT CONNECTS TO MY TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. I ALSO PAID OVER $2000.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOCKING GEAR SHIFT AND TOW. THIS IS A TERRIBLE WAY TO TREAT LOYAL MB CUSTOMERS. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE NEW S-500 BECAUSE I LOVE THE STYLING AND FEATURES BUT JUST CAN'T TAKE THE CHANCE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS AND THE MOST DISHONEST SERVICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE CAR INDUSTRY. I WILL ENCOURAGE ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO NEVER BUY ANOTHER MB UNTIL ME START TREATING THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THEY WANT THEM TO COME BACK. "A '!@#$% US MARINE" *TR

Mileage: 87,878

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE ON 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500 S DEFECTIVE CAUSING GAUGE LIGHTS TO DIM AND GO OFF - VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT SPEEDOMETER OR GAUGES ILLUMINATED!! WHEN DRIVING, LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY DIM AND GO OFF. *NM

Mileage: 23,300

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MECHANICAL FAILURES. SEAT BELT STICKS, WHILE DRIVING DASH LIGHTS GO OUT, POWER STEERING DROPPED, ATEANNA FELL OFF, POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTION. *TS *NLM

Mileage: 39,608

WHILE IN TRUNK OF VEHICLE BATTERY EXPLODED WITHOUR WARNING. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN CHANGING CD?S IN THE COMPACT DISC CHANGER WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK AND WHILE BENDING OVER TO PICK UP THE CD?S THE BATTERY WHICH IS ALSO IN THE TRUNK EXPLODED, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO CONSUMERS SPINE. *YD

MAIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHUTS DOWN DURING STALLING CAUSING ALL TECHNICAL INFORMATION TO SHUT DOWN. MJS