There are 3 owner-reported visibility & wipers complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500. ON OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE MILEAGE GAUGE DISPLAYED 26,700. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE GAUGE DISPLAYED 43,000. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005, THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF HAVE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20 TO 45MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAR WASH AND WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CD PLAYER FAILED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT IT NEEDED REPLACING. THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATED NO MALFUNCTION, HOWEVER, AFTER THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE, IT BEGAN TO DISPLAY MESSAGES. SHE WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE FAILURES WERE ELECTRICAL. THE CONTACT IS THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CORRECT CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS DEVELOPING SPOTS. I FOUND THE MANY OWNER OF THIS W220 S-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. DEALER (CALIBER MOTORS) INSPECTED AND INFORMED ME THAT THE WINDOW STARTED TO DE-LAMINATE. SINCE MY BASIC WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 50,000 MILES I HAVE TO PUT UP THE BILL FOR THE REPAIR. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 61K MILES. ONLY 4 YEAR OLD. THE FRONT 2 WINDOW DELAMINATING IS NOT MY FAULT BUT A DEFECTIVE PART. WINDOWS ARE NOT A WEAR ITEM THEREFORE IT SHOULD NOT FAIL OR IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE LIFE OF THE CAR EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF AN IMPACT. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS SUBSTANTIAL.. COST CAN EXCEED $700 PER WINDOW FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT MAY BECOME A VISIBILITY SAFETY ISSUE IF MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE. CAR OWNER MAY MOST LIKELY NOT CHANGE THE WINDOW DUE TO COST ISSUES. *NM
2002 MERCEDES S430 HAS A DESIGN FLAW, NON INJURY TYPE BUT IT IS VERY ANNOYING, WINDSHIELD WASHER TANK IS MOUNTED IN A LOCATION WHICH CAUSES THE O RINGS IN THE TANK TO FAIL AND DISCHARGE ALL THE FLUIDS, RETURNED TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIMES, HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT FOR FREE LAST TIME. *NM
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026