Mercedes-Benz

S500

Large Cars · model years 1994 to 2027

Includes S500, S500 4matic, S500 Coupe and 1 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 29 S500 trims All Mercedes-Benz cars

The verdict

Best year: 2024. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 2000. complaints: 55, about 55x this model's typical 1; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Mercedes-Benz S500
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1994	2Gas	14	$5,500	0	2	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 50%, AIR BAGS 25%, SEATS 25%
complaints: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	2Gas	15	$5,150	0	4	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 67%, ENGINE 17%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17%
complaints: 4, about 2x this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	2Gas	16	$4,800	0	1	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 88 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	2Gas	16	$4,800	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	1Gas	16	$4,800	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	1Gas	16	$4,800	0	2	ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 17%, ENGINE 17%, SERVICE BRAKES 17%
complaints: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	1Gas	17	$4,550	0	55	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 37%, INTERIOR LIGHTING 14%, SUSPENSION 10%
complaints: 55, about 55x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 31 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	1Gas	17	$4,550	0	34	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16%, INTERIOR LIGHTING 11%
complaints: 34, about 34x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	1Gas	17	$4,550	0	25	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 41%, SUSPENSION 18%, INTERIOR LIGHTING 12%
complaints: 25, about 25x this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 35 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	2Gas	16	$4,800	0	10	SEAT BELTS 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%
complaints: 10, about 5x this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	2Gas	16.5	$4,675	0	12	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, SERVICE BRAKES 13%, SUSPENSION 13%
complaints: 12, about 6x this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 38 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	2Gas	16.5	$4,675	0	11	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 17%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 11, about 5.5x this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	2Gas	16.5	$4,675	0	13	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, ENGINE 21%, POWER TRAIN 21%
complaints: 13, about 6.5x this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	1Hybrid	24	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Hybrid	24	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Hybrid	23	$3,350	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Hybrid	24	$3,200	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Hybrid	24	$3,400	4	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 4, this model typically has none on file Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	1Hybrid	23	$3,550	4	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 1 recalls: 4, this model typically has none on file Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2027	2Hybrid	23	$3,425	4	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 4, this model typically has none on file Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1994: 14 to 2027: 23

Owner complaints1994: 2 to 2027: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Mercedes-Benz S500 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.