2000 Mercedes-Benz S500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,626miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500, 4% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,626 miles.
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.
“We were driving at highway speed around 65 MPH when either the transmission or differential went out. We're not sure exactly what happened mechanically because we haven't taken the car to the shop yet. But whatever it was, it was definitely catastrophic. There was no accident at all. We were able to maneuver the car safely to the side of the highway after the car broke. But for some reason the passenger side airbags deployed the instant that the car broke down! The airbags in turn injured the passengers sitting on the passenger side of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10344761, filed 2010-07, 135,626 miles“Driving at 55-65 MPH violent vibration occurs causing difficulty in control, rear brakes as well as emergency brake pads freeze during vibration due to automatic self-adjustment of emergency brakes. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #550460, filed 2000-01Related service bulletins
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10176661May 1, 20205 to 4 coasting downshift - shift quality concern with cold trans- mission oil on MODEL 217 or 222 in combination with ENGI- NE 278 and TRANSMISSION 722.9 without code 835/498
- 10165839Jul 14, 2014Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
- 10165844Jul 10, 2014Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
- 10166982Feb 19, 2014During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500
31 complaintsInterior lighting
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500
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