2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class owner complaints

While driving at approximately 45 MPH my instrument panel went black. I could not determine my speed, time of day fuel usage, miles traveled, or signal lights. I did not buy the vehicle from a Mercedes dealer. I called a dealer about a recall. He stated that there was a recall but it had expired. I understand a recall expiring, but it seems that Mercedes benz would support their product no matter when the defect occurred. It is a safety issue that could have caused running out of fuel without being able to detect it and no way of being aware of the speed of the vehicle. The signal lights don't function on the cluster. I believe it was a defect that Mercedes benz was aware of and that they should replace the instrument cluster at no cost to me. The cost to replace the instrument cluster is

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s430. While driving at an unknown speed, the stability control indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician stated that the electrical system failed and caused the gear to shift into low gear. The technician added that the electrical module was unable to read the key and the headlights malfunctioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Blower motor stopped working and remained intermittent through july 2015. Mercedez benz of st. Louis replaced blower motor and regulator/controller. Within days of getting car back the blower continued to be intermittent. It would work for days or weeks and then stop for 1-3 days. I took it back to the dealer when it was not working and they thought it might be the switches in the dash. Still unresolved. In addition the wipers would stop working, the radio would stop working and the passenger seat airbag sensor was intermittent.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s500. While driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-benz s430. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument cluster lights suddenly shut off and would not illuminate. The gauges were impossible to read. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 08/02/16*lj updated 08/08/16.*jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s500. While driving at various speeds, the instrument panel failed and caused all the gauges to become inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,995.

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, he became aware that the defroster was not working properly, affecting the visibility while driving. The contact also stated that the heater and the A/C were not working. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V227000 (Electrical System); however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Airbag light came on in 2005 smart car. Maintenance book says get to dealer immediately, so we did. This is a common problem that should be a recall. The wiring harness needed replaced. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the battery was dead and the instrument panel was inoperable. The vehicle started up after the battery was charged however, the instrument panel was still inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000. ## VIN passed ## Mercedes-benz 2005 s430 ##

On 7-26-2015 I purchased this vehicle from commonwealth motors llc. After 24 hours on the highway while traveling at 55mph, I called back and I filed a complaint of the brakes being worn to the metal, that the suspension warning lights came on, that the left driver mirror was broken, and the rear tire kept going flat. I returned the car to the dealer whom claim its the state inspector made an error therefore its the states repsonsibilty. I scheduled a follow up which they decline to repsond to. The second third day the head lights went on and out. I took the auto to a certified benz dealership and shop to find out theses issues. After paying for warranty etc..on 7-26-2015 cars protection plus purchased $495.00 8-8-2015 cars protction plus auto protection was denied after paying $495+$10.

2005 have the same exact problem for 2004 recall but Mercedes benz dose not want to take responsibilities. 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. Original recall from the NHTSA model year(s): 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 manufacturer's report date: july 2, 2007 NHTSA campaign id number: 07v263000 NHTSA action number: n/a component: suspension potential number of units affected: 19,924 summary: on certain vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high pressu

Polycarbonate headlight lenses, recently substituted for glass by manufacturer, become blackened and occluded over time, rendering headlamps increasingly ineffectual and making night time driving dangerous. This material is unsuited for the purpose of shielding the headlamps and should be replaced in all instances by materials that do not degrade during their intended use. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s500. While driving 65 MPH, the instrument panel lights went out. In addition, the turn signals would not illuminate. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the fuse. The instrument panel light would illuminate intermittently. The dealer stated that there is a recall for the interior lighting (NHTSA campaign id # 06v028000) however, her VIN was not included. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.

Mercedes benz s 500 had total brake failure. Vehicle has about 12,000 to 14,000 miles on it. Dealer is trying to blame brake failure on rust on rotors due to lack of use of vehicle. I don't think the manual warns about this. Sounds like a make up story to me. I have had Mercedes vehicles for about 30 years and never had a problem like this before. Brake failure caused an accident but since at very low speed no injuries. If it had happened at a high speed it could have LED to serious injuries or death. *nm

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s-500. The contact stated that the engine and service light illuminated and there was a loss of brakes. The failure has occurred 16 times. The dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The contact would not provide detailed information about the failures. The failure mileage was 3,591 and current mileage was 80,000. Update 06/10/08 *bf the shifter would get stuck in park, the brake wear light illumininated. The dealer replaced the rear pads and rotors, the left rerar marked light was replaced, the trunk assist did not open the trunk all the way, the micro switch for the door lock actuator was faulty, the turn signal light was inoperative, the voltage regulator was replaced, the ABS light illuminated, the consumer complained of no heat in t

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes benz s430. While in park, the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into the drive position, but the gear shifter seized and required excessive force. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where it was diagnosed as a shift lock lever fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

I leased a new Mercedes benz s430 during december 2004 from walter's mb in riverside, ca. Problems with the electronic stability system (esp) began march 2005 and on march 16, 2005 reported problems to walters mb during service visit. On december 9, 2005 reported problem again to walter's mb during service visit. Both times I reported how vehicle instrument cluster board lighting would blink and black out but esp light in the instrument cluster would turn on causing vehicle braking system to shut down speed to 15 miles per hour on freeway. During december 2005 I sent complaint letter to NHTSA recall office in washington, dc. Regarding problems with instrument cluster lighting and esp collateral problem. I included copy of june 2004 Mercedes benz recall in japan of 98,000 sclass vehicles wi

Dash warnings:: SRS inactive, pre-safe unavailable, front passenger seat airbag is turned off according to the light and there is no baby seat in it.

Dt: contact stated on 8-9-05 was on a trip to oregon and was going to park the car when it surged forward and went down an embankment and huge boulders stopped the car. He had it towed to dealer. They were fixing the car and checking to see what may have happened. Has been waiting for approximately 2 weeks to see what the problem may have been. They were waiting for someone from Mercedes to check it out. The contact was very concerned about safety even after they repaired the car.*ak the consumer experienced a second failure on 1/3/06 . The vehicle surged suddenly and the consumer crashed into a wall. Updated 01/11/06. *jb

Engine almost started on fire after oil started pouring out of oil cooler. Had car towed to garage where they diagnosed the leaking oil cooler. One problem after another with this car. *tr