MERCEDES-BENZ S500 · model year

2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500

19 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005MERCEDES-BENZS500 carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 S500 is electrical system with 6 filings, followed by exterior lighting (2) and interior lighting (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2005 S500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

19
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

19 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
POWER TRAIN1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20190306UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK WE WERE UNABLE TO SEE OUR SPEED MILEAGE GAS GAUGE ODOMETER . IT WENT OFF AND ON FOR A PERIOD OF TIME . UNTIL IT WAS TO DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 85,000

20190128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRONIC DASH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK AND THE SPEEDOMETER COULD NOT BE SEEN AND ALL OTHER DRIVER INFORMATION ON THE REMAINING GAUGES WERE ALSO NOT VISIBLE. THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE ,THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE SEANT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. I WAS DRIVING THE 118 FREEWAY IN CA . I WAS DOING 65 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURED. I HAD TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVE HOME ON SURFACE STREETS. WAY TOO DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 99000 MILES AND HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 99,000

20161204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK. I COULD NOT DETERMINE MY SPEED, TIME OF DAY FUEL USAGE, MILES TRAVELED, OR SIGNAL LIGHTS. I DID NOT BUY THE VEHICLE FROM A MERCEDES DEALER. I CALLED A DEALER ABOUT A RECALL. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT HAD EXPIRED. I UNDERSTAND A RECALL EXPIRING, BUT IT SEEMS THAT MERCEDES BENZ WOULD SUPPORT THEIR PRODUCT NO MATTER WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURRED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DETECT IT AND NO WAY OF BEING AWARE OF THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T FUNCTION ON THE CLUSTER. I BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT THAT MERCEDES BENZ WAS AWARE OF AND THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT NO COST TO ME. THE COST TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR A COMPONENT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN A PART OF A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 182,000

20150922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND REMAINED INTERMITTENT THROUGH JULY 2015. MERCEDEZ BENZ OF ST. LOUIS REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR AND REGULATOR/CONTROLLER. WITHIN DAYS OF GETTING CAR BACK THE BLOWER CONTINUED TO BE INTERMITTENT. IT WOULD WORK FOR DAYS OR WEEKS AND THEN STOP FOR 1-3 DAYS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS NOT WORKING AND THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE SWITCHES IN THE DASH. STILL UNRESOLVED. IN ADDITION THE WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING, THE RADIO WOULD STOP WORKING AND THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR WAS INTERMITTENT.

Mileage: 135,000

20150617ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Mileage: 52,000

20150616ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND CAUSED ALL THE GAUGES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,995.

Mileage: 139,995

20150127STRUCTURE:BODY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID FAILED TO REMAINED OPEN AND ALMOST FELL ON THE PASSENGER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRUNK STRUTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

20120412LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE, PINES FLORIDA I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER LAST MO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FLORIDA FOR THEM TO CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER IN TRANSMISSION. SO, MONDAY I TOOK IT BACK IN AND TOLD THEM TO CHECK MY KEY DOOR LOCKS, BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD OPEN. "NO KEY" BUT WOULD NOT LOCK BY HOLDING THE HANDLE. ALSO, TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS HARSH WHEN DOWN SHIFTING WHEN IT WAS COLD. I GOT A CALL THE NEXT DAY TELLING ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I SAID I ONLY HAVE 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I DON'T USE IT THAT MUCH. THE CAR COST $93,000.00 THIS SHOULD NOT BE. SOMETHING IS WRONG AT THAT DEALER, AND THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME, THE SERVICE MGR WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALL LONG STORY SHORT, BUT THE BILL WAS $9,300.00 I THINK I GOT RIPPED OFF. THANK YOU

Mileage: 55,000

20120412POWER TRAIN

TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE, PINES FLORIDA I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER LAST MO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FLORIDA FOR THEM TO CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER IN TRANSMISSION. SO, MONDAY I TOOK IT BACK IN AND TOLD THEM TO CHECK MY KEY DOOR LOCKS, BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD OPEN. "NO KEY" BUT WOULD NOT LOCK BY HOLDING THE HANDLE. ALSO, TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS HARSH WHEN DOWN SHIFTING WHEN IT WAS COLD. I GOT A CALL THE NEXT DAY TELLING ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I SAID I ONLY HAVE 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I DON'T USE IT THAT MUCH. THE CAR COST $93,000.00 THIS SHOULD NOT BE. SOMETHING IS WRONG AT THAT DEALER, AND THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME, THE SERVICE MGR WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALL LONG STORY SHORT, BUT THE BILL WAS $9,300.00 I THINK I GOT RIPPED OFF. THANK YOU

Mileage: 55,000

20120412ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE, PINES FLORIDA I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER LAST MO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FLORIDA FOR THEM TO CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER IN TRANSMISSION. SO, MONDAY I TOOK IT BACK IN AND TOLD THEM TO CHECK MY KEY DOOR LOCKS, BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD OPEN. "NO KEY" BUT WOULD NOT LOCK BY HOLDING THE HANDLE. ALSO, TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS HARSH WHEN DOWN SHIFTING WHEN IT WAS COLD. I GOT A CALL THE NEXT DAY TELLING ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I SAID I ONLY HAVE 52,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I DON'T USE IT THAT MUCH. THE CAR COST $93,000.00 THIS SHOULD NOT BE. SOMETHING IS WRONG AT THAT DEALER, AND THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME, THE SERVICE MGR WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALL LONG STORY SHORT, BUT THE BILL WAS $9,300.00 I THINK I GOT RIPPED OFF. THANK YOU

Mileage: 55,000

20111110EXTERIOR LIGHTING

POLYCARBONATE HEADLIGHT LENSES, RECENTLY SUBSTITUTED FOR GLASS BY MANUFACTURER, BECOME BLACKENED AND OCCLUDED OVER TIME, RENDERING HEADLAMPS INCREASINGLY INEFFECTUAL AND MAKING NIGHT TIME DRIVING DANGEROUS. THIS MATERIAL IS UNSUITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHIELDING THE HEADLAMPS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IN ALL INSTANCES BY MATERIALS THAT DO NOT DEGRADE DURING THEIR INTENDED USE. *TR

Mileage: 98,307

20080523SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,591 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD GET STUCK IN PARK, THE BRAKE WEAR LIGHT ILLUMININATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS, THE LEFT RERAR MARKED LIGHT WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK ASSIST DID NOT OPEN THE TRUNK ALL THE WAY, THE MICRO SWITCH FOR THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 3,592

20080523ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,591 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD GET STUCK IN PARK, THE BRAKE WEAR LIGHT ILLUMININATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS, THE LEFT RERAR MARKED LIGHT WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK ASSIST DID NOT OPEN THE TRUNK ALL THE WAY, THE MICRO SWITCH FOR THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 3,592

20080523POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,591 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD GET STUCK IN PARK, THE BRAKE WEAR LIGHT ILLUMININATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS, THE LEFT RERAR MARKED LIGHT WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK ASSIST DID NOT OPEN THE TRUNK ALL THE WAY, THE MICRO SWITCH FOR THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 3,592

20080523EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,591 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD GET STUCK IN PARK, THE BRAKE WEAR LIGHT ILLUMININATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS, THE LEFT RERAR MARKED LIGHT WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK ASSIST DID NOT OPEN THE TRUNK ALL THE WAY, THE MICRO SWITCH FOR THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 3,592

20080523ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,591 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD GET STUCK IN PARK, THE BRAKE WEAR LIGHT ILLUMININATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS, THE LEFT RERAR MARKED LIGHT WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK ASSIST DID NOT OPEN THE TRUNK ALL THE WAY, THE MICRO SWITCH FOR THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 3,592

20080523SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 16 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,591 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF THE SHIFTER WOULD GET STUCK IN PARK, THE BRAKE WEAR LIGHT ILLUMININATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS, THE LEFT RERAR MARKED LIGHT WAS REPLACED, THE TRUNK ASSIST DID NOT OPEN THE TRUNK ALL THE WAY, THE MICRO SWITCH FOR THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 3,592

20071009INTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUSE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V028000) HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20071009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUSE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V028000) HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 2005MERCEDES-BENZS500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 have?
The 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 has 19 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500?
The most-complained component for the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and INTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.