VehicleVerdict

2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 101 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 12.6 times the median S-Class year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 16 S-Class years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (34% of the total).

101

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other S-Class years?

S-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted101 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 32 complaints1996: 6 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 101 complaints2001: 46 complaints2002: 56 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 3 complaints2009: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints
S-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S-Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3434%
Suspension2727%
Lighting1818%
Airbags44%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Engine33%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)33%
Speed Control22%
Steering22%
Latches & Locks11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Transmission11%
Other11%

Does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V263000EngineJune 12, 2007 · 19,924 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

06V028000LightingFebruary 2, 2006 · 36,911 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

04V227000Electrical SystemMay 13, 2004 · 54,454 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

02V338000Electrical SystemDecember 16, 2002 · 65,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

00V141000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)May 15, 2000 · 7,100 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE SURROUNDING PLASTIC, INSULATION, AND WIRING TO DEFORM AND POSSIBLY MELT OR BURN.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. EVENTUALLY THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHICH VIN NUMBERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 25, 2006

“AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. MY AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAIL AND MY CAR FRONT WENT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. MY TIRES START RUBBING INTO MY WHEEL WELL AND STARTED SMOKING. THE PROBLEM LEFT THE FRONT END DAMAGE. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX BY A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. SIX MONTH LATER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 10, 2008 · fire

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK UPDATED 10/25/2006 - ON TWO OCCASION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 7, 2006

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BECAME SO HOT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TOUCH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE BLOWER MOTOR IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 1, 2009 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE THROWING DRIVERS HEAD AND BODY INTO SIDE DOOR/GLASS WINDOWS. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND WAS REPAIRED BY FARMERS INSURANCE REPAIR. AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPLACED!!!! DRIVER SUFFERED UPPER BODY TRAUMA, PARTICULARLY RIB CAGE. TOTAL AIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 13, 2006 · crash

2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — common questions

Is the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 101 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 16 S-Class years. It is one of the S-Class years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 S-Class problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (34 complaints), suspension (27 complaints), lighting (18 complaints).

Does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S-Class years to avoid are 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1995. The cleanest record among S-Class years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.