Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Electrical system3
- Suspension3
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
04V228000 · Suspension13 May 2004 · 6,238 vehicles
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER 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 HEAT AND HUMIDITY. OVER TIME, CORROSION MAY DETERIORATE THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009122 | Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place on pump fitting. 3.4. Washer fluid hose will not stay on pump fitting, although connector OK. 4. Washer fluid line. 4.1 Connector will not stay on pump fitting because it is broken. 4.2 Sealing ring in connector missing. 4.3 Sealing ring in connector fitted, but deformed and therefore leaks. 4.4 Damage to washer l |
| 11008091 | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protrudin |
| 11007974 | Complaint 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 headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine if physical fogging exists or if the headlamp is leaky. Remedy In advance, observe LI82.10-P-078301 "Headlamps or Front Fog Lamps Leaking or Fogged". 1. Prepare headlamp/check for external damage: For headlamps with a closed system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and check also for cor |
| 11007753 | Complaint 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 to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an eng |
| 11005294 | Complaint 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 any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the ve |
| 10248162 | Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat belt buckle). Light initial creases due to vehicle handling. Light creases in the outer covers originating from the production process (missing finish). Heat treatment of the seat covers using heat gun and plastic wedge. Be very careful to not overheat the seat material! |
| 10205293 | Tire Pressure Sensors. |
| 10205233 | Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely. |
| 10202531 | Touch pad: Search lighting does not dim or does not turn on. |
| 10186141 | NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock |
| 10181124 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R |
| 10181123 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D |
| 10166991 | Creaking noises from the area of the air suspension strut on the front axle when driving over bumps with the steering turned. Topic only reported from outer wheel until now. |
| 10166976 | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" |
| 10166975 | This Customer 1 Action has been initiated because certain mbrace subscribers were recently contacted by mbrace informing them that they need to have an i-button call performed to ensure their mbrace device has registered with the Verizon Telematics systems. If the i-button call failed or if the customer was unable to perform the i-button call, the mbrace agent instructed the customer to make an appointment with their dealer to have the issue corrected and/or i-button call performed. The vehicles impacted range from model year 2002 to 2014. |
| 10165854 | The trunk lid sometimes does not open completely and does not close (completely). This complaint is accompanied by the following symptoms: - Illumination of the trunk lid control button (S62/26) fails. - The ACTUAL value* of the trunk lid lock main catch switch (A85/5s1) indicates "closed" although the trunk lid is open. - Knocking against the trunk lid lock (A85/5) causes the light of the trunk lid control button (S62/26) to flicker and the ACTUAL value* of the trunk lid lock main catch switch (A85/5s1) to jump back and forth between the values "open" and closed". * The ACTUAL value o |
| 10165853 | When on rough roads and with side loads applied to the center console (leg support) cracking noise may occur in the transition between the instrument panel and the center console. |
| 10136035 | Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper |
| 10136029 | SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink |
| 10135628 | iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8 |
| 10135604 | Vehicle cannot be opened via Keyless-Go and radio remote control |
| 10037986 | MERCEDES BENZ- WHEN DOING A SOFTWARE UPDATE THE UPDATE FAILS AND THE TUNER GOES TO BOOT MODE. *RM |
| 10033070 | XENTRY (MERCEDES): ENGINE WARNING LAMP IS CURRENTLY ON OR WAS ON AND A DELAY FAULT OF THE CAMSHAFT ADJUST TO CURRENT OR STORED IN THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. MODELS 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 216, 230, 164, 251, AND 403. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032727 | MERCEDES: FOLLOWING FAULT CODES ARE ENTERED IN THE CONTROL UNIT AND DISPLAYED-FC5320 DRAIN VALVE:OPEN CIRCUIT OR INSUFFICIENT VALVE CURRENT IN MODELS SERIES 211, 219; FC5260 DRAIN VALVE OPEN CIRCUIT OR INSUFFICIENT VALVE CURRENT IN MODEL 221; FC5250 DRAIN OPEN CIRCUIT OR INSUFFICIENT VALVE CURRENT IN MODEL SERIES 251, 164. DEFECTIVE CONNECTING CABLES TO DRAIN VALVE AT AIRMATIC COMPRESSOR. THIS RESULTS IN THE SETTING OF THE FAULT CODES. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10030929 | MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. INCLUDE ALL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PE07042 · Suspension:front:springs:air suspension:lines and fittingsopened 14 Aug 2007 · closed 20 Nov 2007
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation