Mercedes Benz S Class Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Mercedes Benz S Class across 9 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (33). The words owners use most often: “instrument cluster” (34% of reports).
- 101electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 50%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Instrument cluster: mentioned in 34 of 101 complaints (34%)
- Wiring harness: mentioned in 18 of 101 complaints (18%)
- Interior lighting: mentioned in 14 of 101 complaints (14%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 88 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 101 complaints, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.
Mercedes Benz S Class electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 S Class | 1 | 50% | 38,717 |
| 2004 S Class | 3 | 20% | 33,243 |
| 2003 S Class | 6 | 21% | 55,000 |
| 2002 S Class | 12 | 25% | 83,767 |
| 2001 S Class | 21 | 58% | 88,725 |
| 2000 S Class | 33 | 41% | 75,000 |
| 1997 S Class | 2 | 100% | 111,500 |
| 1996 S Class | 1 | 17% | 90,000 |
| 1995 S Class | 22 | 81% | 134,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system
Model years: 2004
Problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
Fix: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Model years: 2000, 2001
Problem: 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.
Risk: Consequently, the electric conductor of the blower motor fuse holder may dissipate more heat than the plastic fuse holder was designed to withstand, which could result in overheating of the holder and disabling of the blower motor and the ability to defrost or defog the windshiled in cold or hot and humid weather conditions. Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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
Model years: 2000, 2001
Problem: 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.
Risk: This can damage the electrical system components located in the trunk, including the vehicle's battery.
Fix: 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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Wire harness shorted out due to naked wires with no insulation causing the harness to catch fire burning harness and frying the alternator. The cause was said to be wire harness deteriorated. Improper insulation on the harness. *jb
Instrument cluster failure. All lighting for instrument dark/unreadable (speedometer,tach,odometer,fuel,temp,turn signal etc). Taken to dealer and i paid for rebuild to unit. Identical failure occured again after approx 3 months. *tr
The instrument cluster issue i am experiencing began approximately july, 2012. Initially, the dashboard lights would flicker briefly and then illuminate again. Subsequent to the frequent flickering incidents, the cluster lighting didn't illuminate at all, with the exception of the small diagnostic…
On starting the vehicle, the instrument panel was black without illumination or reading. As a result, gauges to speedometer, odometer, fuel, warnings to malfunctions, tachometer, oil pressure, & engine temperature are not present. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz s class. The contact was driving 65 mph when he noticed that the lights on the instrument panel failed and smoke was coming from the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that they needed to replace the instrument…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mercedes Benz S Classs have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 101 owner complaints about electrical system for the Mercedes Benz S Class. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mercedes Benz S Class electrical system?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Mercedes Benz S Class?
The most frequent phrase is “instrument cluster”, in 34 of 101 complaints, followed by “wiring harness” (18).
See all Mercedes Benz S Class problems.