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Exterior lightingPart report

2001 Mercedes-Benz S500 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
26%of 34 total for the year
Median mileage
120,225miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S500, 26% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,225 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.

“While driving on a 400 mile trip home in the dark, the entire cluster lighting turned off and speedometer began to fluctuate. The situation was extremely hazardous and I was forced to pull over on a major highway to find out what is wrong. As no fuses or relays were blown out, I had to use a small flashlight to illuminate the cluster to get home.”

NHTSA complaint #10621393, filed 2014-08, 106,340 miles

“I have had the car since 2010 in june and I have already had to replace the front driver side ball bearing and joints and they have stopped working once again I was driving last week in traffic at around 5 pm when my entire dashboard went out none of the gauges are working I couldnt see anything.”

NHTSA complaint #10939271, filed 2017-01, 138,000 miles

“I was at a stop light on 225 and chambers and when the light turned green as soon as a hit the gas my entire dashboard went blank. I no longer had light and my gauges were not responding either. After doing some research I seen some forums about the recall so I call the manufacturer and was told that even though acknowledged as a safety concern the recall was closed june 2011. I purchased the car june 2010 and no one reached out. I have only one car and I can not drive it because I cant see the speed or if I even have gas. …”

NHTSA complaint #10940293, filed 2017-01, 138,000 miles

“I was driving the vehicle on the highway when all of a sudden the entire dash gauge cluster flickered and went totally dark and stopped working. I was so distracted that I almost ran into the car that was in front of me. The interior lighting went out as well. Now, there is no way of knowing the speed of the vehicle or of seeing any of the other important gauges including gear selection. It is impossible to drive the car safely. The mercedes dealer in manhattan and north america mercedes center in nj says the car is not covered and that the extended warranty for this issue has expired. …”

NHTSA complaint #10480149, filed 2012-10, 62,100 miles

“While driving on the freeway, the back lights in the instrument cluster that illuminate the speed markings started to flicker for a few seconds and then turned off and went dark. Then after a few minuets, the whole instrument cluster went dark and the speedometer stopped working completely. It was impossible to know what speed you are going at.”

NHTSA complaint #10694437, filed 2015-03, 114,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005327%
2004217%
2003110%
2001926%
2000611%

Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S500

Electrical system
21 complaintsInterior lighting
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 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