NHTSA Data Explorer
Mercedes-Benz 500SEL
Data refreshed June 25, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz 500SEL.
Complaints
99
Active records
Recalls
6
Active records
TSBs
14
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
3
Injuries
5
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Top reported issues — Mercedes-Benz 500SEL
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Operating state
Reporting mechanism
Engine behavior
Electrical issue
Safety restraint issue
Ride/handling behavior
Safety restraint behavior
Performance issue
Thermal issue
Fluid issue
Access/entry issue
Braking behavior
Driver assistance issue
Powering on/off behavior
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Lighting behavior
HVAC behavior
Steering behavior
Starting behavior
Smell
Infotainment behavior
Noise
Vibration/harshness
Recent change
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
1992 MERCEDES BENZ 500SEL
Filed Sep 20, 2016
ENGINE WIRE HARNESS FAILURE DUE TO BAD INSULATION/BIODEGRADABLE INSULATOR COVER RESULTING IN VEHICLE STOP WHEN A ASR LIGHT COME ON AND CAUSING POSSIBLE FIRE OR ACCIDENT WHILE THE CAR STOP SHILE IS IN MOVEMENT,VERY DANGEROUS I STOP TO DRIVE THIS CAR 4 YEARS AGO/// REVERSE GEAR JUST STOP WORK DUE TO THE BIG DEFECT FROM FACORY A BEEN SEE TONS OF CARS WITH EXACLTU THE SAME PROBLEMS.
1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 500
Filed Feb 13, 2016
WIRE HARNESS DEFECT CAUSING SHORT IN SYSTEM SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER CUTTING OTHER DRIVERS OFF JUST TO GET VEHICLE IN A SAFE AND SECURED LOCATION.
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed May 31, 2014
IN JUNE 2012 THE CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW GAS CAP. WE GOT A GAS CAP AND IT PASSED INSPECTION. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED COMPLETELY. IF WE ONLY FILL THE GAS TANK ABOUT 3/4 OR LESS, THERE IS NO GAS SMELL. WE RECENTLY HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A SEAL/CAP IN AN OVERFILL TANK UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS LOOSE. WE REPLACED THE GAS CAP AGAIN AND THE CAP TO THE…
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed May 31, 2014
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND OUT AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING HOT WEATHER. *TR
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Apr 3, 2014
WAS GOING DOWN ROAD AND FRONT STRUT BOTTOMED OUT BECAUSE OF AIR BELLOW FAILURE IN AIR LEVELING SYSTEM .MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM! *TR
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Apr 22, 2013
DETERIORATED ENGINE HARNESS WIRING CAUSING FORCED LIMP MODE AND OTHER GREMLINS. *TR
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Apr 11, 2013
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION STICKER, WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MALFUNCTION THAT ALLOWED GAS VAPORS TO ESCAPE FROM TANK. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN BUT TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION!!! THE CAR WAS NOT MISUSED OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED, OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART MERCEDES PUT IN THEIR CARS AND THEY CHOSE NOT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. CHARGED $1,400 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Sep 12, 2012
I OWN A BEAUTIFUL BLACK 1995 S500 MERCEDES BENZ WITH 142,000 MILES. AS YOU KNOW, THE MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION KNOWINGLY INSTALLED A BIO-DEGRADABLE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IN MODELS '91-'96. THESE ENGINE WIRE HARNESSES, WERE PURPOSELY INSTALLED AND DESIGNED TO BREAKDOWN AND DISINTEGRATE. BECAUSE OF THIS FLAWED DECISION, I NOW FACE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS. AFTER RESEARCHING MY VEHICLE'S DIAGNOSIS, I DISCOVERED THAT MERCEDES CORPORATION KNEW THE HORRIFIC, DETRIMENTAL HAZARDS AND IMMENSE…
1996 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed May 3, 2012
WHEN IT RAINS THE CAR SHAKES AND THEN EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN, DUE TO A HARNESS PROBLEM. DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM THE SPEED OF THE CAR IT STARTS TO SLOWS DOWN BEFORE THE ENGINE DIES OUT AND WHEN I TRY TO CLOSE OR OPEN THE WINDOW IT WOULD DO IT SLOWLY, NOT AT NORMAL SPEED. ALSO ANOTHER PROBLEM, THERE'S A MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. *TR
2000 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Mar 30, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE INSERTED IN THE IGNITION BUT COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.