2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class Interior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 19%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the interior lighting of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class, 19% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,100 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2001 mercedes benz s500. I was driving home from work on friday and all of a sudden, the lights in the dashboard went out. It frightened me because I couldn't tell how fast I was going and it hampered me from being as alert as I needed to be by trying to find out what the problem was. These lights need to be functional whenever you are operating the vehicle. Because of the time, the dealerships had closed and I couldn't drive it to them when it happened. This could have resulted in my having an accident and hurting and/or possibly killing myself and/or someone else. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168546, filed 2006-09, 35 miles“The contact stated the interior lights stopped working suddenly without warning. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06v028000, regarding the interior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 10/17/2006 - intermittently the instrument panel lights dimmed then surged to full strength.”
NHTSA complaint #10168989, filed 2006-09, 96,000 miles“The contact stated due to inadequate dashboard illumination, one is unable to read the gauges and indicators. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v028000 regarding the interior lighting. The VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 7/25/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10161763, filed 2006-07, 33,000 miles“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 cluster module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 06v028000 (interior lighting) but the recall had expired. The failure and the current mileage was 134,000. Updated 07/13/12 updated 07/31/12”
NHTSA complaint #10460306, filed 2012-06, 134,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz s500. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the lighting on the instrument panel failed to illuminate. As a result, the contact could not read any of the gauges or meters on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the instrument cluster module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06v028000 (interior lighting). The instrument panel was replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10430088, filed 2011-10, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V028000Feb 2, 2006On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be…Covers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005, CL Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005
Interior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class
21 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology