2002 Mercedes Benz S600 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (4) · Suspension (3) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz S600 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (50)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 50 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-09 · Suspension · 98,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz s600. the contact stated while driving 60 mph, the active body control warning light illuminated, after which the front suspension lowered to the ground, preventing the vehicle from being driven. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the hydro-pneumatic suspension pump and high-press…”
2017-07-15 · Suspension · 138,700 mi“abc line started leaking second time in 4 years exactly replaced it back in 2013 almost cost me 1500 and now its back doing the same problems the car is to low on the ground and can't not drive whats so ever…”
2017-07-11 · Engine · 130,000 mi“massive oil leak. oil cooler. back of engine.…”
2016-05-03 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz s600. while driving various speeds, the lights, gauges, and meters on the instrument cluster failed to function. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the f…”
2011-11-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 55,615 mi“massive oil leak. i have been told that it's everything from oil pressure valves to the oil cooler. mb... what's the problem?? i need help and none of the san diego mb dealers can fix properly. *tr…”
2011-03-29 · Suspension · 🔥 fire“the car was leaking oil and hydraulic fluid. the car would not raise up and was leaking oil as fast as it was put in. it was not drivable. could not fix it i had to park it.…”
2009-12-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 35,200 mi“oil leak from oil cooler seems to be a chronic problem on this model car. *tr…”
2008-08-24 · Engine And Engine Cooling“oil cooler leak on my 2002 s600, and i found out that this a very common problem on these cars (2000-2002 v12 engines) and a very expensive repair that mercedes benz should cover or at least a large percentage of the repair. i just found out about your website so i decided to file a complaint. i took the car to the mercedes benz dealer and they dia…”
2008-06-02 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 118,500 mi“the mercedes s600 has a design flaw that causes a major oil leak from the oil cooler that is embedded inside the engine. this requires the intake and heads to be removed to replace the oil cooler at a cost of approximately $5k. special care must be taken to clean the oil from the wiring harness, transmission and areas that has been soaked by the …”
2007-03-17 · Electrical System:ignition · 14,264 mi“while driving vehicle suddenly car began to lose all power, check engine light came on, car began running rough. took to dealership and they reported that the oxygen sensor was faulty and both right and left coil packs and that they need to replace the spark plugs again, at a total cost of $3875.00 this seems very disturbing considering they alread…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.