2003 Mercedes Benz S500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (3) · Electrical System (2) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz S500 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 (40)
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 40 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-05-26 · Seat Belts“during hot weather the seat belt gets stuck and you will not be able to use the seat belt at all. this is a safety issue and should not happen. this happens when the car is parked under hot weather. this is in the drivers side. this has been happening for the last 1 year.*dt consumer stated seat belt gets jammed when temperature goes over 90 degre…”
2018-11-26 · Seat Belts · 63,250 mi“the passenger front seat belt will not retract. also, the dashboard lights went out while driving making it very hard to see speed/fuel/gear selection. these are both safety concerns that should be recalled. we can send you a picture of the dead dash if needed. also video of a stuck seat belt. thanks, kurt.…”
2015-12-11 · Suspension · 147,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s500. while attempting to making a right or left turn, an abnormal noise was heard on the front passenger side of the vehicle. the failure was persistent. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 147,000.…”
2015-09-30 · Electrical System · 162,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s500. the contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the speedometer lights flashed and there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the front panel. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact stated he was mechanic and the instrument cluster failed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufac…”
2014-09-20 · Seat Belts · 100,000 mi“the seat belts will periodically not extend. *tr…”
2014-08-11 · Seat Belts:front:retractor · 28,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s500. the contact stated that the front passenger side seat belt failed to retract. during warmer outside temperatures, the failure would worsen. the failure occurred multiple times. the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. the approxima…”
2013-10-11 · Electrical System · 55,000 mi“special acquisition module (sam) my car would not start the mercedes roadside came out and started the car and i took it to the dealership for diagnostic. upon review the dealer stated the sam module plastic cover had water drops on it. they also stated the male and female connectors to the module was corroded, and i would need a new special acquis…”
2004-10-03 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 12,905 mi“while approaching a stop light, the consumer applied the brakes and they failed, which caused the vehicle to slowly continue into the center of the intersection. the owner later took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that this occurred with all brands of cars not just mercedes and that a certain percentage of brake failures is acceptable in …”
2003-12-15 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner“the consumer took the vehicle to the manufacturer for final repairs, however the problem still existed on with air conditioner. *la nar *cb *jb…”
2003-02-13 · Power Train · 250 mi“the gears became stuck, and the engine did not shut off, consumer had to disconnect the battery to shut off the engine.*jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.