2006 Mercedes Benz S500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Tires (2) · Suspension (2)
🧭 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 (62)
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 62 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-26 · Power Train“2006 mercedes-benz s500 4matic, vin [xxx]. on xxx, the vehicle suddenly shut off while driving. it was not overheating. it then would not restart or crank and could not be shifted out of park. aaa connected a jump pack, but there was no starter engagement. it required a flatbed because it is 4matic. after the shutdown, the instrument cluster ha…”
2025-09-01 · Engine“vehicle stall - engine cut off - on highway at speed (50-55miles/hr) posing driver and passenger safety. no obd error code or ecu error similar incidents reported by mercedes owners s500 model across usa as posted on mercedes forums. …”
2024-09-11 · Steering“safety issues 1. engine shuts off while driving. no error codes. starts again with key and drives fine. 2. steering locks while driving - maneuvering a turn. stopped the car. turn ignition off. turn ignition on everything works fine. …”
2016-06-01 · Engine · 68,085 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz s500. the contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the engine stalled. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 68…”
2016-01-19 · Power Train · 60,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz s500. while driving 20 mph with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle jerked before coming to a halt. the failure recurred on numerous occasions. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not noti…”
2015-05-14 · Suspension · 114,343 mi“while driving the car the front end dropped making it very difficult to steer. had to slowly move to the right lane while traffic is going 70. this could have killed me.…”
2014-11-06 · Engine · 106,000 mi“this problem happen three times in about 6 minutes in one night. while driving at 70 miles per hour. the engine cut off, almost before i knew what happen the engine started back running. in less than a minute it happen again. the engine cut out then started before i could do anything. the third time it cut out complete and stayed off. i was able to…”
2014-01-30 · Suspension · 125,000 mi“went out to the car to go to the pharmacy to get my asthma meds and the car was down on the ground,totally deflated shocks. start car and rises to height but sinks when car is off, this is a danger if driving on the highway at 55 mph, i have a wife and a young son. i feel that the dealers should recall and fix this problem correctly, and not have p…”
2013-12-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 118,000 mi“my transmission would not shift out of second gear. i turned it off and back on and it did not clear. i got a "pre-safe unavailable" message. i did some research and learned this is a "transmission control module" failure. it is very unsafe in that the car cannot keep up with traffic and is a danger to myself and others. *tr…”
2011-03-30 · Tires · 50,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz s500 with yokohama advance s4 tires, tire size p265/40r18. the contact stated that the rear passenger tire exploded while driving approximately 65 mph. three months prior to the failure, the contact replaced the rear driver side tire for the same failure. the contacts roadside assistance installed the spare…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.