The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes S430. While driving 65 mph, the contact stated the instrument panel became inoperable and she was unable to see how fast or slow she was traveling, how much fuel was in the vehicle, or how much oil was in the vehicle due to inadequate illumination. The dealer advised the contact that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall 06V028000 ( interior lighting) and advised her to replace the entire instrument cluster. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting for a response. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages was 98,000.

- Manteca, CA, USA

My 2000 Mercedes S500 cluster, back lighting, speedometer failed (unable to see instrument cluster) on April,3 2011 mileage at time of defect 24,568 I saw that there is a recall for my car concerning the problem. I contacted the dealer and, I was inform that the extended warranty expired (recall). So I called the mercedes1-800-367-6372 number they informed me the same I was covered but expired. So I called NHTSA 1800 number they informed me that I would still be covered because the recall took place in 2006 and it is 10 years before it expires so until 2016. So I will appreciate some help concerning my problem. V.I, N [xxx] NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ft. Washington, MD, USA

This complaint is related to campaign no 2006080004, septemeber 2006 for Mercedes S500 (model 220), model year 2000. The instrument cluster has completely failed with complete loss of illumination, speedometer, and fuel gauge. My chassis end number is A123394 and this does not fall within the narrow serial number range within the original recal campaign. I understand all parts are the same as those recalled and and requesting that the serial number range be widened.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz sclass. While driving at approximately 30 mph the lighting on the instrument panel began to blink and the lighting which illuminates the speedometer stopped illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where he was informed he would need to have the instrument panel replaced. He was also informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000, interior lighting. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure continues. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.

- Milford, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S-500. The contact was driving 55 mph when the entire instrumental cluster failed. The dealer advised that the instrument panel had malfunctioned. The contact inquired about NHTSA campaign id number: 06V028000 (interior lighting) but was advised by the dealer that his VIN was not included. There vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 126,416.

- Calument, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S500. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the instrument panel was not illuminated. An authorized dealer was notified and informed the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000 (interior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 112,000.

- Vernon Hills, IL, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) September 2009 air blower to heater and air conditioning quit working. Mechanic replaced fuse. Air blower worked for 2 days. Returned November 2009 and was told air blower would need to be replaced. February 2010 automatic trunk locks quit working. Now trunk lock only works with key, no longer automatic. March 2010 air blower replaced. Worked one week, then began malfunctioning until it no longer works. March 2010 dash lights began to flicker, then entire dash went out. Door locks no longer automatic, no indicators for speedometer, turn signals, temperature controls etc. Mechanic checked and replaced fuse. No results. Mechanic indicated that instrument cluster would need to be replaced. Internet research resulted in identifying recall of instrument cluster for 2000 "S" series, but that my VIN #[xxx] is not included in the recall. Internet research reveals that all these malfunctions are common among the 2000 "S" series along with the instrument cluster malfunction and does appear to be closely related to the instrument cluster issue. Mechanic indicated that he has replaced hundreds of the instrument clusters for specifically the "S" series, primarily year 2000 and has seen many of the issues with my S430 correlating to the instrument cluster malfunction.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

Instrument cluster went dark while driving my 2000 Mercedes S500

- Aptos, CA, USA

On February 16, 2008 the dash lights went out while driving at night, instead dash read something like cluster failure with a lightning bolt in the center. There were no turn signals either inside or outside when the lever was pushed. When I shut off the car the dash read 1 malfunction. I have noticed it working again, however not sure when it will go out again. I brought this up while at the dealership for service. They said there is a recall, but my VIN is out of range.

- Winsted, CT, USA

I was driving down the highway at night and the lights on my instrument panel went completely out. My turning signals did not work and my when I tried to open my truck it would not open with the remote key. I had to call roadside assistance to get help with entering the trunk. The vehicle's instrument panel illuminated intermittently when the fused was replaced. There was a NHTSA recall# 06V028000, regarding the interior lighting. My vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN number. I have an appointment scheduled to take the car into the dealer to have the car repaired.

- Collinsville, OK, USA

Attn: Ali motamedamin, safety defect investigator/inspector NHTSA campaign#: 06V-028. On approximately October 14, 2005 while driving my Mercedes Benz 2000 S430 on interstate 285 in atlanta, ga., the dashboard digital instruments totally failed and I was unable to read any gauges and indicators while vehicle was in motion at approx. 65 mph. I immediately contacted and scheduled an appointment with Mercedes Benz of South atlanta who determined it to be instrument cluster being inoperable and I was charged for replacement on October 19, 2005. Recently I was made aware of the recall, nhsta campaign#:06V-028 and when I contacted Mercedes Benz customer relations on November 27, 2006, I was told that my VIN#/vmi was out of the scope of the recall. At which time I expressed that recall part 573 and circumstances of failure applied to my make and model vehicle and I had documented Mercedes Benz service repair invoice supporting that fact. I was informed that my complaint/concern would be documented but no action/reimbursement would be taken and if I elected, I could address my complaint via mail to ernst leib, president of mbusa but he could not provide me with any other point of contact regarding recall matter and the conversation was concluded.

- East Point, GA, USA

In reference to campaign 06V028000 what is the basis for exclusion of some cars of the same year vs others. Just because the 7 cars that were part of the original complaint fall in the narrowly defined VIN range does not mean other cars of the same model and year do not have the same problem. The defective clusters are the same. I have a 2000 S500 with a failed cluster. I have the same problem with the same part for the same model and year that other cars are being repaired for free, but my car is excluded because its VIN range is statistically not in the same narrow VIN range corresponding to the original complaint? this seems very exclusionary given my car is the same model and year and the part is the same and there is no basis to exclude it. I am requesting NHTSA to widen the recall range to be fair to all owners of the same model and year where some are being recalled and some not. If the failed clusters were from different manufacturers that would be one thing, but to exclude cars due to VIN range corresponding to the original 7 cars as part of the complaint is very lop sided. I request you to please widen the recall. My VIN ending range is A127167.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

: the contact stated the lights on the dash went out. The dealer determined the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06V028000, regarding the interior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 10/25/2006 - on two occasion this almost caused and accident.

- Hamden, CT, USA

Mercedes Benz is ignoring NHTSA campaign id number, 06V028000. I have called them at least 5 times and they have said they don't have to do it and have no plans to comply with the campaign. This is very dangerous and I almost crashed when my light panel went out.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

While driving our 2000 S-500 Mercedes, we noticed the lights on the dash board begin to flicker on & off?! at certain moments, the lights which illuminate the gauges would actually go off completely briefly so it becomes impossible to read the infos on the dash board. We took the car to our mechanic whom informed us that there is actually a recall for the defect our car is experiencing under NHTSA's campaign id #06V028000. We called Mercedes @ 800-367-6372 & was informed by patricia rosado there is no recall but merely a "service issue" they're attempting to resolve on certain vehicles with qualifying vehicle identification numbers. It is apparent that the malfunction we are experiencing with the lights on our dash board correspond to the recall problem as identified by the Office Of Defects Investigation. If our vehicle having this problem is not being recognized by Mercedes under their qualifying VIN, then there must be thousands of other 2000 S-class Mercedes vehicles out there with this defect unbeknownst by the owners! the cost to repair is very expensive & Mercedes should be responsible to cure this problem. Due to this defect, Mercedes is not only jeopardizing the lives of the car owners & their families but also other drivers & their families on the road!

- San Mateo, CA, USA

On 7/16/06 the instrument panel of my Mercedes 2000 S500 [xxx] went completely blank. This was the first time this happened after driving off from smythe european dealership (san jose, ca) for A/C repair and to reprogram a remote key. I took the car to the dealership and was told that the instrument cluster needs to be replaced for $ $2400. I quoted recall number 06V028000 from the NHTSA and I am not getting a favorable response. Updated 07/12/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Manteca, CA, USA

My 200 S430 panel was black out even the engine was turn on. After a few tries and reset, it went back to normal.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA