2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Interior lighting
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.
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…
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 25,359 miles. Complaints peaked in 2006 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“AIRBAG light came on in 2005 smart car. Maintenance book says get to dealer immediately, so we did. This is a common problem that should be a recall. The wiring harness needed replaced. *tr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 14, 2009 · Electrical system
“Mercedes benz s 500 had total brake failure. Vehicle has about 12,000 to 14,000 miles on it. Dealer is trying to blame brake failure on rust on rotors due to lack of use of vehicle. I don't think the”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 21, 2006 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S430, S430 4matic, S500, S500 4matic, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 13–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 11–16 / 17–24 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Engine | 8/12 cyl, 4.3/5/5.4/5.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S5); Automatic 5-spd; Automatic 7-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz S Class model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz S Class model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 12 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 27 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 6 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 9 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 81 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 36 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 48 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 28 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 4 | 15 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class
How do I know if my 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 06V028000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.