The SRS system (airbags) have been deemed inoperable by the dealer and may either deploy at any time or not deploy at all in a collision. This is due to a defective seatbelt buckle and a defective passenger recognition sensor pad located in the front passenger seat which disables/enables the airbags functionality. Both a very common defect in the 2000 to 2006 model year Mercedes Benz S class vehicles. The seatbelt buckle contains a sensor that eventually fails for no apparent reason or warning which compromises the air bag's functionality. The passenger recognition sensor pad located in the seat eventually malfunctions due to fatigue.this also disables the functionality of the SRS system.this malfunction has recently been addressed and recalled by BMW for the same issues but Mercedes Benz has yet to issue a recall campaign also the gear shifter is stuck in park and can not be shifted in reverse. This is due to a small plastic part located in the shifting mechanism which is released by a solenoid when the brake pedal is depressed. The plastic part eventually cracks and renders the car inoperable.the part is not available nor produced by Mercedes Benz and the entire mechanism must be replaced by the dealer at the owner's expense. The cracked part can also affect the safety of the driver and pedestrians. If it cracks while the car is in drive, the shifter can not be moved forward to neutral or park and will remain stuck in drive due to a broken piece of plastic blocking the shifter from moving.this is another extremely common and dangerous defect in the model year 2000 to 2006 S class and has affected and left thousands of motorists stranded. Mercedes Benz has the lowest recall rate in the United States according to the following www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-autos-recalls-study-idusbrea2Q1zq20140327. they should not ignore safety issues.

- Valley Stream, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz S55. The contact stated that the seat belt would not retract properly whenever there were warmer temperatures. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and the dealer was unable to determine the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the trunk lid would either become resistant when attempting to close the hatch, or it would close independently. On one occasion, the trunk lid closed unexpectedly on the contact as she attempted to remove items from the trunk area. As a result, the contact sustained a contusion to the right leg. The contact also stated that the key fob failed to engage the trunk lid. The manufacturer was made aware of failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V285000 (latches/locks/linkages: Trunk lid springs). The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

- Arlington, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that the front driver's seat belt seized and would not retract or pull out further from its pretensioner. The dealer was notified and stated that there were no recalls or warranties addressing the failure. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle in for an inspection. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.

- Snellville, GA, USA

The driver's side seat belt does not work properly during hot weather. More particularly, the belt will not extend. It is impossible to pull the belt out enough to fasten it. Thus, the only way the car can be driven in hot weather is without the driver wearing a seat belt. The belt works properly in the morning when leaving our air-conditioned garage, but when returning to the car while it has been parked outside in hot weather the seat belt does not work.

- Barrington, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz S430. The seat belts are locked and will not release when the driver and passenger attempted to adjust them. The failure mileage was at 95000.

- Cumming, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz S430. The seat belts are locked and would not release when the driver and passenger attempted to adjust them. The dealer stated that this failure occurred frequently and will replace the seat belts for $1200. The failure mileage was 94,402.

- Cumming, GA, USA