Table 1 shows three common engine and engine cooling related problems of the 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Engine Cooling System problems | |
| Engine problems | |
| Engine Exhaust System problems |
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) September 2009 air blower to heater and air conditioning quit working. Mechanic replaced fuse. Air blower worked for 2 days. Returned November 2009 and was told air blower would need to be replaced. February 2010 automatic trunk locks quit working. Now trunk lock only works with key, no longer automatic. March 2010 air blower replaced. Worked one week, then began malfunctioning until it no longer works. March 2010 dash lights began to flicker, then entire dash went out. Door locks no longer automatic, no indicators for speedometer, turn signals, temperature controls etc. Mechanic checked and replaced fuse. No results. Mechanic indicated that instrument cluster would need to be replaced. Internet research resulted in identifying recall of instrument cluster for 2000 "s" series, but that my VIN #[xxx] is not included in the recall. Internet research reveals that all these malfunctions are common among the 2000 "s" series along with the instrument cluster malfunction and does appear to be closely related to the instrument cluster issue. Mechanic indicated that he has replaced hundreds of the instrument clusters for specifically the "s" series, primarily year 2000 and has seen many of the issues with my s430 correlating to the instrument cluster malfunction.
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S Class. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal has a switch that controls the pedal and regulates the speed. If the switch fails to connect, the engine does not rev. If it falls short, the vehicle goes into full acceleration whether it is in reverse or park. When the switch failed while driving 30 mph, the engine accelerated to approximately 60 mph. The vehicle continued at maximum speed. The contact had to place both feet on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle skidded and the engine had to be shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a diagnostic would cost $100 and $350 to repair the switch. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 112,000.
My major concern is the failure of my accelerator to respond. This could have easily been a fatal accident. I was beginning to enter the interstate and the accelarator simply failed to respond. Immediately got it to the shop and they replaced the pedal valve sender, pedal housing assembly,and input new codes for the pedal valve sensor. I was charged $361. 03. Apparently many of the S Class cars have computer problems and I believe this model should be recalled to check pedal valve sensors and to install a saftey back up of some type. Many people could have already been killed because of this potentially serious problem. The suspension problem centered around the airmatic system. 1st in the shop on sept. 6,2002 mileage 46,521. Second malfunction March 21st. Mileage 53,846. This is when they charged me. Next occurrence April 3, 2003. Mileage 54,150. The dealership eventually refunded $585. 89 of those charges with no explanation how they arrived at that number. Accelerator failed on January 6, 2003 mileage 51,934. I had to take my car to daytona beach, 30 miles away, 10 times in just over 10,000 miles. Daytona beach has been very helpful but my attempts to deal with their corporate office have been meet with a condescending and uncooperative attitude. It is clear that their once terrific image of quality and customer satisfaction is a thing of the past. As information I have shared this information with the USA president of mercedes paul halata. I wrote him on April 3 and again on may 14 since I received no reply. He had a customer service rep. Who answers the phone write me a terrible letter that had the wrong car and wrong VIN. He was the same guy I called when the problems first began who did not return my calls. Nevertheless, the accelerator issue is a serious issue, everything else is just the new way of doing business in America.