Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Attn: ali motamedamin, safety defect investigator/inspector NHTSA campaign#: 06v-028. On approximately October 14, 2005 while driving my Mercedes Benz 2000 s430 on interstate 285 in atlanta, ga., the dashboard digital instruments totally failed and I was unable to read any gauges and indicators while vehicle was in motion at approx. 65 MPH. I immediately contacted and scheduled an appointment with Mercedes Benz of south atlanta who determined it to be instrument cluster being inoperable and I was charged for replacement on October 19, 2005. Recently I was made aware of the recall, nhsta campaign#:06v-028 and when I contacted Mercedes Benz customer relations on November 27, 2006, I was told that my VIN#/vmi was out of the scope of the recall. …
September 2009 air blower to heater and air conditioning quit working. Mechanic replaced fuse. Air blower worked for 2 days. Returned November 2009 and was told air blower would need to be replaced. February 2010 automatic trunk locks quit working. Now trunk lock only works with key, no longer automatic. March 2010 air blower replaced. Worked one week, then began malfunctioning until it no longer works. March 2010 dash lights began to flicker, then entire dash went out. Door locks no longer automatic, no indicators for speedometer, turn signals, temperature controls etc. Mechanic checked and replaced fuse. No results. Mechanic indicated that instrument cluster would need to be replaced. Internet research resulted in identifying recall of instrument cluster for 2000 "s" series, but that my VIN #[redacted] is not included in the recall. …
The instrument cluster containing the speedometer, gauges for gas, etc. Went off and the steering column moved down almost touching my legs because of an electrical malfunction on my Mercedes s Class 2000 model. I had it checked out and have a printout dated 4/22-07 that shows that the failure occurred. I had received a recall number 06V028000 from Mercedes and alerted to the problem and an extended warranty to cover the cost of repair of the problem. The local dealer would not honor that printout and said that it had to happen again and show up on their computer in order to fix the problem. This is dangerous and I could be 500 miles more or less from this dealership when it happens again. You cannot see anything on the instrument panel. I could not tell how fast I was going, how much fuel I had in the vehicle, etc. …
My 2000 Mercedes s500 cluster back lighting is going in and out also speedometer I saw that there is a recall for my car concerning the problem. I contacted the dealer and went in on May 28 to see them penske Mercedes[phone] , I was inform that the extended warranty expired (recall). So I called the Mercedes[phone] ([redacted], case manager) number they informed me the same I was covered but expired. So I called NHTSA 1800 number they informed me that I would still be covered because the recall took place in 2006 and it is 10 years before it expires so until 2016. So I will appreciate some help concerning my problem. V.I,n [redacted] NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000.
My 2000 Mercedes s500 cluster ,back lighting , speedometer failed (unable to see instrument cluster) on April ,3 2011 mileage at time of defect 24,568 I saw that there is a recall for my car concerning the problem. I contacted the dealer and , I was inform that the extended warranty expired (recall). So I called the Mercedes[phone] number they informed me the same I was covered but expired. So I called NHTSA 1800 number they informed me that I would still be covered because the recall took place in 2006 and it is 10 years before it expires so until 2016. So I will appreciate some help concerning my problem. V.I,n [redacted] NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000
2000 Mercedes s-430 blower motor fuse failure with gauge cluster problem(all gauages got stuck with blower motor fuse explosion at same time, I had fixed the blower motor fuse that was covered by mb's recall, but not the gauge) mb dealer said that was just the gauge problem but that happened at same time when the fuse went out(I was driving at 60mph and suddenly, all gauge stopped and some light does not turn on anymore). I heard that gauge cluster problem is a really common issue on s Class from the dealer and the gauge clusters are in back-order nationwide. Untill dec. 2004 I guess there should be further investigation about this issue... This incident has great potential to an accident in certain situations.
2000 s500 instrument cluster began to fail after 58,000 miles, total failure of illumination occurred at 63,000 miles. In addition to all gauge failure, most importantly the speedometer, in door trunk release failed as well as the keyless remote for the trunk failed. Took vehicle to dealership, I was told by service that "good thing this didn't go bad on a sl500, it would cost you $7,500.00. Yours is only $2,000.00 dollars." diagnosed as an electronic failure to the instrument cluster. The consequences were a speeding ticket on 11/17/05, I ran out of gas on the side of a very busy highway, and was nearly hit by another motorist on October 1, 2005.
Dt*: the contact stated the dashboard failed to illuminate. The dealership has been alerted who determined the dashboard panel needed to be replaced and reprogrammed. Also the key sensor malfunctioned. The sensor prevented the key from turning the engine on and off. As a result of the malfunction the vehicle was inoperable. The dealership was alerted and the key sensor was replaced which corrected the problem. The model is a s430.there is a NHTSA recall, # 06V028000, regarding the interior lighting. The VIN was not included in the recall.
Instrument cluster on 2000 my Mercedes Benz s500 illumination failed. Cannot see gauges nor odometer. An obvious safety hazard. Both dealer and m-b USA deny coverage under their 10-year warranty extension for this specific issue. The car was placed in service in 12/99 and waited for 10 years and 6 months before failure. Formerly known for durability and reliability over many years, the company is now unwilling to stand behind their defective product. This is a safety issue. Why would there be any time limit on a known safety failure?
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer for regular maintenance, who determined the instrument cluster had failed. The dealer expressed this was a common problem with many vehicles under a recall but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the vehicle was not under a recall. The contact found recalls #06V028000 about the interior lighting affecting the instrument cluster. The vehicle had not been repaired.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
On certain passenger vehicles, during the production process of the blower motor fuse holder, the size of the electric conductor of the holder May be below appropriate tolerances.
Remedy: Dealers will install new blower motor fuse holders. The recall began during October 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
On certain passenger vehicles, excessive static build-up in the trunk floor mats can cause a static discharge when individuals move or remove items from the trunk compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will install a static insulation panel between the carpet and the vehicle battery which will provide an electrical grounding. Owner notification began February 14, 2003.
Electrical complaints in other S Class years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class, 41% of the model year's 81 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-227 (fuses and circuit breakers, May 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 02V-338 (12v/24v/48v battery, Dec 16, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.