2005 Mercedes Benz S500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (4) · Structure:body (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:abs Warning Light (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 (61)
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 61 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-06 · Unknown Or Other · 85,000 mi“while driving on the highway the instrument panel went black we were unable to see our speed mileage gas gauge odometer . it went off and on for a period of time . until it was to dangerous to continue to drive.…”
2019-01-28 · Electrical System · 99,000 mi“electronic dash instrument cluster went black and the speedometer could not be seen and all other driver information on the remaining gauges were also not visible. the door locks would not operate ,the trunk would not open and the seant would not move in any direction. i was driving the 118 freeway in ca . i was doing 65 mph when the incident occur…”
2016-12-04 · Electrical System · 182,000 mi“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 me…”
2015-09-22 · Electrical System · 135,000 mi“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 th…”
2015-06-17 · Electrical System · 52,000 mi“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 5…”
2015-06-16 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 139,995 mi“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. …”
2015-01-27 · Structure:body · 98,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2005 mercedes s500. the contact stated that the trunk lid failed to remained open and almost fell on the passenger head. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the technician diagnosed that the trunk struts failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the f…”
2012-04-12 · Power Train · 55,000 mi“took my car to mercedes-benz of pembroke, pines florida i took my car to the dealer last mo mercedes-benz of pembroke pines florida for them to change the oil and filter in transmission. so, monday i took it back in and told them to check my key door locks, because the door would open. "no key" but would not lock by holding the handle. also, to c…”
2011-11-10 · Exterior Lighting · 98,307 mi“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 …”
2008-05-23 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:abs Warning Light · 3,592 mi“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 mile…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.