In 2006, nearly 24,000 (95%) S-Class sold in China between late 1998 and early 2005 were recalled due to a fuel tank defect. The recall was limited to the S-Class cars sold in China; S-Class models sold elsewhere were unaffected. In 2006, a recall was initiated due to illumination failures in the instrument cluster of some W220s. Examples of recalls in Australia include: 2000, a recall for the heater blower overheating issue 2004, for the V12 with ABC hydraulic line 2004, for a Blower fuse overheating in certain hot conditions 2007, an ABC hydraulic line could leak near hot engine components Some other issues were noted with sensors or other components being potentially being damaged by water and/or heat. The model is also called the V220 (as opposed to W220). Maintenance/design features One Canadian car site noted that older W220's can offer impressive features for the cost, provided that owners continue to maintain the vehicle. They noted a few key issues on later models including the air suspension and interior electronics. They also noted that over its production run Mercedes-Benz fixed many issues and there is also considerable variation in models depending how they were equipped. Reed valve inside air/water duct: the Ventilation drain One critical maintenance issue is the main ventilation drain (these are below the vents at the back of the hood/bonnet and below the windshield). If this drain becomes clogged such as from leaves or snow it can overflow, flooding the passenger compartment. When it overflows in can short out wiring in the car. There is an air and water vent on the right (passenger side) near the base of the windshield, under the hood, which among other features as a drain with a reed valve to allow water to drain out. This issue was the subject of a Class-action lawsuit in the U.S. State of California. In 2010, the United States Judge Howard Matz ruled on the settlement about this issue. The air/water duct is drained by a reed valve, which if clogged can cause water to overflow into the passenger compartment. Other things that can cause water to enter an S-Class interior include the air conditioning condensation drain tubes. The permanent solution to prevent water from flooding the interior is to simply to remove the reed valve in the cowling drain so the water can flow straight and through the drain. Performance About top speeds: