2003 Mercedes Benz S600 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (4) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (1) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (1)
🧭 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
2015-10-08 · Suspension · 100,000 mi · 💥 crash“while my daughter driving my car abc light came on and suddenly lost control and had accident. car went over the center line, climbed over barricade and destroyed the car. insurance company totlaled the car because it was too expensive to repair. while driving a high pressure hose blew up and car went all the way down to bottom of the suspensi…”
2014-06-19 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 115,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s-600. the contact stated while driving 55 mph, the instrument panel went blank and the contact was not able to see neither the fuel gauge nor the speedometer. the contact mentioned that due to the failure he ran out of fuel. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem.…”
2011-02-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 63,988 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s600. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the distribution hose failed. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact inquired about nhtsa campaign id number: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling) but his advised that his vin was not included in the recall. the manufacturer was then contac…”
2009-12-06 · Suspension · 56,923 mi“mercedes benz, s-600 (model 2003), it was very difficult to control the car in the highway and the car almost lost control after it's active body control (abc) light flashed on suddenly in the dashboard and the car body came down grinding against the wheels/tires on 12/03/2009 again after the car's abc system was replaced on 11/19/2009 at mb dealer…”
2009-12-06 · Suspension · 56,772 mi“mercedes benz, s-600 (model 2003), it was very difficult to control the car in the highway and the car almost lost control after it's active body control (abc) light flashed on suddenly in the dashboard and the car body came down grinding against the wheel/tires on 11/16/2009. the car was sent to mb dealer in edison, nj for repairs that same day a…”
2009-02-12 · Suspension“active body control fluid leak. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.