Model year

2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 81 complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 78 complaints under S430 and S500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL (20), INTERIOR LIGHTING (17), SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (10). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,550–$4,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

07V263000 · Jun 12, 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; SUSPENSION

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

06V028000 · Feb 2, 2006

INTERIOR LIGHTING

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

04V227000 · May 13, 2004

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.

02V338000 · Dec 16, 2002

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.

00V141000 · May 15, 2000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT.

Complaints

81 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 4, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL20
  2. INTERIOR LIGHTING17
  3. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM10
  4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
  5. SUSPENSION8
  6. SUSPENSION:REAR4
  7. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
  8. SUSPENSION:FRONT3
  9. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
  10. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH2

Other NHTSA names

These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.

Other matched NHTSA names
Name Recalls Complaints
S430 0 23
S500 0 55

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (3). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
PE03058ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYSDec 17, 2003Apr 22, 2004
PE05062INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE · INTERIOR LIGHTINGNov 10, 2005Feb 8, 2006
PE07042AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:LINES AND FITTINGS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:SPRINGS/BAGS;…Aug 14, 2007Nov 20, 2007

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
S430 · 4.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline152218——$4,550
S500 · 5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline152117——$4,850

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years