Most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz S500 complaints by model year
Best S500 years: 2021, 2023. Years to avoid: 2022, 2000, 2001. Compare all years →
What 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 owners say
Electrical system
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 Mercedes Benz would support their product no matter when the defect occurred. It is a safety issue that could have caused running out of fuel without being able to detect it and no way of being aware of the speed of the vehicle. The signal lights don't function on the cluster. I believe it was a defect that Mercedes Benz was aware of and that they should replace the instrument cluster at no cost to me. The cost to replace the instrument cluster is outrageous for a component that is obviously defective. …
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 thought it might be the switches in the dash. Still unresolved. In addition the wipers would stop working, the radio would stop working and the passenger seat airbag sensor was intermittent.
Lights
Tl 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 mileage was 80,000. Update 06/10/08 the shifter would get stuck in park, the brake wear light illumininated. The dealer replaced the rear pads and rotors, the left rerar marked light was replaced, the trunk assist did not open the trunk all the way, the micro switch for the door lock actuator was faulty, the turn signal light was inoperative, the voltage regulator was replaced, the ABS light illuminated, the consumer complained of no heat in the vehicle. The dealer replaced a faulty blower motor. Updated 06/09/08
Tl contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz S500. While driving 65 MPH, the instrument panel lights went out. In addition, the turn signals would not illuminate. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the fuse. The instrument panel light would illuminate intermittently. The dealer stated that there is a recall for the interior lighting (NHTSA campaign id # 06V028000) however, her VIN was not included. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.
2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 S500 rates better than average: 48% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500?
The electrical system — 7 complaints, 64% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the lights (3) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz S500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2000 and 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz S500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 9% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.