2002 Mercedes-Benz S500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 8%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,143miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500, 8% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,143 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.
“Dt: the contact stated when pressing the accelerator pedal there was a three second delay. The vehicle would accelerate suddenly. The delay progressively became worse while driving and eventually the vehicle would not respond at all. The dealership determined the gas pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle locked in park; it was towed to the dealership. The dealership replaced the gear selector housing. The gear would not come out of park. Updated 021/21/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10147652, filed 2006-01, 66,286 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500. The contact stated that while trying to shift the vehicle out of park the gear shift locked and would not move out of gear. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and stated that the contact had to replace the entire shift mechanism. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 48,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10365936, filed 2010-11, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 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.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S500
14 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsInterior lighting
4 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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