The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 98 of 159 complaints (62%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 15 in 1999 to 159 in 2000.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 159
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $4,300–$4,550
- Combined MPG
- 17–18
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2000 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300–5,950 | 4,300–5,950 | 4,300–4,550 | 4,300–4,850 | 4,300–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–18 | 13–18 | 17–18 | 16–18 | 16–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–15 / 17–22 | 11–15 / 17–22 | 15 / 21–22 | 14–16 / 20–23 | 13–15 / 20–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–684 | 494–684 | 494–523 | 494–555 | 494–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 3 | 15 | 159 | 183 | 120 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Electrical: 98 of 159 NHTSA complaints (62%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
EPA estimates $4,300–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 15 mpg | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 15 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 98 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SUSPENSION; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
- Consequence
- THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.
- Consequence
- DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.
- Consequence
- CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence
- THIS CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STATIC INSULATION PANEL BETWEEN THE CARPET AND THE VEHICLE BATTERY WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN INTERNAL DEFECT IN THE CIRCUITRY OF THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR, THE REGULATOR MAY OVERHEAT.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD CAUSE SURROUNDING PLASTIC, INSULATION, AND WIRING TO DEFORM AND POSSIBLY MELT OR BURN.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR.