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Mercedes-Benz S500Model year report

2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
98,307miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (64% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (3) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,307 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 59 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Electronic dash instrument cluster went black and the speedometer could not be seen and all other driver information on the remaining gauges were also not visible. The door locks would not operate ,the trunk would not open and the seant would not move in any direction. I was driving the 118 freeway in ca . I was doing 65 MPH when the incident occured. I had to get off the freeway and drive home on surface streets. Way too dangerous to continue on the freeway. The car has approximately 99000 miles and had no other problems.”

NHTSA complaint #11172586, filed 2019-01, 99,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “Polycarbonate headlight lenses, recently substituted for glass by manufacturer, become blackened and occluded over time, rendering headlamps increasingly ineffectual and making night time driving dangerous. This material is unsuited for the purpose of shielding the headlamps and should be replaced in all instances by materials that do not degrade during their intended use.”

NHTSA complaint #10435164, filed 2011-11, 98,307 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Took my car to Mercedes-Benz of pembroke, pines florida I took my car to the dealer last mo Mercedes-Benz of pembroke pines florida for them to change the oil and filter in transmission. So, monday I took it back in and told them to check my key door locks, because the door would open. No key but would not lock by holding the handle. Also, to check the transmission which was harsh when down shifting when it was cold. I got a call the next day telling me I needed a new transmission. I said I only have 52,000 miles on the car and I don't use it that much. …”

NHTSA complaint #10455200, filed 2012-04, 55,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz s-500. The contact stated that the engine and service light illuminated and there was a loss of brakes. The failure has occurred 16 times. The dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The contact would not provide detailed information about the failures. The failure mileage was 3,591 and current mileage was 80,000. Update 06/10/08 the shifter would get stuck in park, the brake wear light illumininated. …”

NHTSA complaint #10228778, filed 2008-05, 3,592 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 139,995 miles.

9%0–100%10–250%25–5018%50–7536%75–10027%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 98,307 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20072008201120122015420162019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S500 RWD5.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142217$4,850
S500 4matic 4WD/AWD5.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic142016$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 59 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 59 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20061368,0420—17—Not enough data
20051198,3070—17—Not enough data
20041298,0000—17—Not enough data
20031059,1250—16—Not enough data
20022573,9630—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200134112,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20005587,8780—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz S500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (64% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 3.

Has the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 (S500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,307 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 139,995 miles; 9% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.