NHTSA Data Explorer
Mercedes-Benz 500SEL
Data refreshed May 30, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz 500SEL.
Complaints
380
Active records
Recalls
18
Active records
TSBs
60
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
14
Crashes
13
Fires
10
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
1996 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS
Filed May 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES S420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STEER TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A CONNECTOR FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FLOOD THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
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
2003 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS
Filed Apr 1, 2014
THE SRS SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) HAVE BEEN DEEMED INOPERABLE BY THE DEALER AND MAY EITHER DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH DISABLES/ENABLES THE AIRBAGS FUNCTIONALITY. BOTH A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN THE 2000 TO 2006 MODEL YEAR MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CONTAINS A SENSOR THAT EVENTUALLY FAILS FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR WARNING…
2004 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS
Filed Mar 27, 2014
SRS SYSTEM NOT OPERATING ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
1993 MERCEDES S CLASS
Filed Mar 12, 2014
THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS HAS INSULATION THAT IS BADLY CRACKED AND FLAKING OFF CAUSING FAULT CODES AND POOR RUNNING. THE BODY HARNESS HAS CRACKED INSULATION AS WELL. WHILE THIS IS AN OLDER CAR IT IS LOW MILES AND HAS SPENT ITS LIFE STORED INDOORS. I HAVE A 1968 MODEL AMC CAR. THE WIRING IS FINE STILL. THIS WAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW FROM DAY ONE. IT WOULDN'T BE SO BAD IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT SO EXPENSIVE - 750 DOLLARS. *TR
1995 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS
Filed Sep 3, 2013
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