AI Damage2001 Mercedes-Benz S 500: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S 500 filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 34
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 62% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 26% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 18% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 15% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (62% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 9 complaints (26% of all).
- Suspension: 6 complaints (18% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 34 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Throttle interrupt caused by brake light activation causes car to have dead spot while accelerating.
Electrical malfunctions included non functioning locks, windows, air, all lights flickering, seat controls, horn, hazard lights, sunroof, dash control, virtually everything electrical. These malfunctions occurred while the car was in motion and while parked.
I found out the instrument cluster drains the battery and loss of power. I reached to a mechanic and he let me know that the instrument cluster is causing the power loss and needed to be replaced. I did some research and realize their was a recall for the instrument cluster for this defect.
Mbusa partially covered ($2400) cost for $5800 total repair to remove rust in 2011 but rust has returned to both rear quarter panels and doors. Documentation that paint was not prepped properly for all 2001 s500 models, however, not covered for cost to repair, reimburse for costs incurred or replace defective finish.
When backing up in reverse the car begins to smoke from tail pipe. Once in drive it begins to shake and moves slowly in traffic then slowly picks up speed after an unusually long duration. Dashboard is almost totally blacked out cannot read gauges (gas level,speed odometer, engine temperature, mileage).
Also noticed that the front right spring control arm rubber mount was cracked and grinding against the front subframe. Service department recommended both arms and subframe replaced at a cost of around $3,000.
The air suspension parts fail (disbalancing height of vehicle at front and rear also at each side). As well body of the car felt on its wheels. That caused impossible to steer car, which could've make an accident, possible body injury or fatality.
I recently am hearing knocking sounds in the rear end of my 2001 s500 mb. I am afraid to know what's happening but it sounds major. This vehicle only has 77k miles and has given me so many problems.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,426 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the S 500 has 11 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 34, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, suspension. Total complaints: 34. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (6%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%), A/C or heater (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2001 Mercedes-Benz S 500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2001 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.