Photo: FotoSleuth / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2005 Mercedes-Benz S-class: common problems and reliability
An average S-class year.
26 owner complaints, most about electrical system. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 S-class?The 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-class has 26 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and exterior lighting.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-class vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S-class years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the S-class?
Across the 24 S-class model years we track, complaint volume runs from 13 (2009) to 133 (2002). With 26 complaints, the 2005 S-class sits below the model's median of 34.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
What owners say across generations
\nSentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation and model year.
Owner insights cover all generations of the S-class. See the full S-class owner picture and every model year.
Other S-class model years
Compare every S-class year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S-class against its rivals
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