Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Mercedes-Benz S500. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00J000 (Electrical System, Communication) however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact also mentioned that he experienced a blowout failure with the passenger's side front Pirelli PZero Tire, Tire Size: 255/35/R21, DOT Number: 1UN13874K. The contact stated that he replaced the tire with the spare; however, the vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that approximately a week later, the driver's side tire experienced the same blowout failure and was taken to an independent mechanic. …
I leased my 2022 S 500, Mercedes Benz. on September 28, 2022 and after about a year, I have had issues with the large screen/radio and cruise control in the vehicle. All events are documented at the Rockville Centre, Long Island service center. I have made numerous complaints beginning in January of this year through emails and was assigned a case number with Mercedes Benz corporate which is 12240831. On numerous occasions, while using the cruise control set to 50 MPH, the vehicle will accelerate to 80 MPH on a highway with a 50 MPH speed limit. Then on other occasions, while using the cruise control, the vehicle will accelerate to 80 MPH on a highway with a 25 MPH speed limit. Then, at other times, while using the cruise control set to 50 MPH, on a highway which has a 50 MPH speed limit, the car will reduce to 10 MPH . All of these scenarios are VERY DANGEROUS as you can well imagine. …
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.
2006 Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC, VIN [redacted]. On [redacted], 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 had intermittent power loss. The dashboard would illuminate when the key was turned but lose power after about 20 seconds. At times only the odometer displayed and the gear-selector indication was absent. Disconnecting/reconnecting the battery temporarily restored dashboard illumination but did not restore starting. A Mercedes technician at Smart Luxury Motors of the Quad Cities attempted diagnosis, but the vehicle could not be reliably scanned because electrical power would not remain available. The 7.5A EIS fuse was not blown. …
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.
During rain storm, water seepeed ino air cowl into cabin-passenger side- flooded floor eventually sam electronic module under floor was damaged and shut off electronics in automobile while driving at high speed on freeway- with out power controls operating it made driving and stopping the car a very dangerous feat eventually went off road into guardrail and stopped. Mercedes Benz has been aware (a lawsuit was filed in ca) of design defect of air cowl drain clogging and flooding cabin but has kept this dangerous flaw from owners even though we learned they have for sale an update kit to prevent this at owners expense. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz S500. The contact stated that the vent controls failed to activate the air conditioning and the heating system. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the motor regulator and the air conditioner blower needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV, and EQS vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under recall 24V-115. An incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 S580, 2022 EQS450, EQS580, and S500 vehicles with an active and connected Mercedes me connect account. The MBUX infotainment system might allow activation of the television and internet display while driving, causing a distraction for the driver.
Remedy: MBUSA has updated their computer server to correct the issue for most vehicles, free of charge. For vehicles that were not able to be updated remotely, dealers will provide the software update, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz S500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (31), 2001 (21), 2002 (14), 2005 (7) and 2004 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz S500 electrical problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-255 (fuses and circuit breakers, May 12, 2025); 24V-115 (fuses and circuit breakers, Feb 16, 2024); 21V-931 (software, Nov 29, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz S500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (19 mentions), followed by the wiring › interior/under dash (1).
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.