2005 Mercedes-Benz S500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 27%of 11 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,307miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500, 27% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,307 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.
“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“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“The contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz S500. While driving 65 MPH, the instrument panel lights went out. In addition, the turn signals would not illuminate. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the fuse. The instrument panel light would illuminate intermittently. The dealer stated that there is a recall for the interior lighting (NHTSA campaign id # 06v028000) however, her VIN was not included. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10205241, filed 2007-10, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031580Apr 16, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029959Mar 9, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029025Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to…
- 10025845Jul 28, 2008Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S500
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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