RoadVitals

2000 Mercedes-Benz 430 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Dec 11, 2013
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz 430, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags521.7%
  • Electrical521.7%
  • Interior & seats521.7%
  • Driver assistance28.7%
  • Suspension28.7%
  • Engine14.3%
  • Transmission14.3%
  • Seat belts14.3%
  • Steering14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN APPEARING SINCE ONE MONTH AND COMES ON MORE FREQUENT. MERCEDES-BENZ E430 RECALL I FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET: MERCEDES-BENZ E430 RECALL 01I005000RECALL 01I005000 BODY, INTERIOR & MISC. ADD TO MY CHECKLIST FIND A DEALERSHIP ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2000 MFR'S REPORT DATE: N/A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01I005000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ00013 COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 2038 SUMMARY: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2000 SLK AND E-CLASS VEHICLES. SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT PARKED IN HIGH TEMPERATURES DURING WARMER MONTHS. CONSEQUENCE: REMEDY: MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG. OWNERS CAN CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM. NOTES: I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT AFFECTED. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CORRECT. WHY WOULD ONE CAR BE COVERED AND NOT ANOTHER. I AM EXPERIENCING A SAFETY ISSUE IT SEEMS ONLY FAIR THAT MERCEDES SHOULD PICK UP THE TAB SOMEONE DID HIT MY CAR ON JULY 13, 2013, BUT THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OCT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10555676 · filed Dec 11, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR SIDE DOOR AND THE FABRIC AROUND THE ROOF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

NHTSA ID 10195597 · filed Jul 9, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM,ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SEEM TO STOP RUNNING BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION,DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. NEXT DAY CHECK CAR BATTERY 12.67 VOLTS AND WITH CAR ON 14.56 VOLTS. AT NIGHT THESE WAS SCARY I HAVE NO CLUE TO WHAT HAD HAPPEN. NEXT DAY DROVE CAR AROUND TOWN HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10526036 · filed Jul 21, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 430. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. HE PRINTED OUT THE RECALL INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $962. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 156,726.

NHTSA ID 10205105 · filed Oct 5, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,507. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 06/13/11*JB

NHTSA ID 10397998 · filed Apr 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES AND INDICATORS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE REPAIRS OF $2000 WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE DEALERS ADVICE. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA ID 10386195 · filed Mar 2, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES S430 THAT IS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE IN THE RAIN. I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THE REAR END OF THE CAR BECAME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED ME TO HIT THE CENTER GUARD RAIL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. AFTER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCED DRIVING, I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10170777 · filed Oct 13, 2006

ACCELERATION PEDAL FAILURE. THE ACCERATOR REFUSED TO RESPOND, PICKED UP SPEED, RESULTING IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID 10074578 · filed Jun 1, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430 PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER 2000 AND NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 120,000 MILES ON IT. SINGLE OWNER CAR WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ON SCHEDULE OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. CAR JUST PASSED VA ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION 2 WEEKS AGO. BEING DRIVEN AT AROUND 25 MILES PER HOUR AND BEGAN TO FEEL SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER THE CAR. SLOWED DOWN FURTHER AND PROCEEDED DIRECTLY TO GOODYEAR REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER ROAD TEST GOODYEAR LIFTED THE CAR UP AND REMOVED THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE WHEEL TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AT THIS POINT THE COIL SPRING COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CAR AND FELL TO THE GROUND. COMPLETE FAILURE OF RIGHT FRONT PILLAR MOUNT DUE TO RUST. GOODYEAR COULD NOT DO THE REPAIRS. DROVE TO AUTO BODY SHOP AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT FRONT RIGHT SPRING INSTALLED. LEFT TURNS WERE FINE BUT RIGHT TURNS HAD INTENSE METAL TO METAL SCRAPPING SOUNDS. TOTAL ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1526 WITH $240 FOR THE NEW SHOCK TOWER. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I'M GLAD SHE WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ME IN A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. MAJOR PROBLEM FOR MERCEDES BENZ. *TR

NHTSA ID 10513221 · filed May 23, 2013

MERCEDES S-430 SUSPENSION CONVERSION KITS & AIR SUSPENSION PARTS SORT BY: PRICE: LOW TO HIGH PRICE: HIGH TO LOW MOST POPULAR TITLE MANUFACTURER NEWEST OLDEST 10 PER PAGE 20 PER PAGE 40 PER PAGE 60 PER PAGE 100 PER PAGE OF 1 2000-2006 MERCEDES S430 4-WHEEL AIR RIDE SUSPENSION CONVERSION KIT ''' LIFETIME WARRANTY LIST PRICE: $949.00 YOUR PRICE TODAY: $867.00 FITS: 2000-2006 MERCEDES S430 STRUTMASTERS OFFERS CONVERSION SYSTEMS TO CONVERT YOUR MERCEDES AIR RIDE SUSPENSION TO A PASSIVE AND DEPENDABLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. OUR KITS CONVERT YOUR MERCEDES AIR RIDE SUSPENSION TO A PASSIVE NON-AIR SUSPENSION BY REPLACING YOUR CURRENT AIR SUSPENSION STRUTS WITH PASSIVE COIL OVER STRUT ASSEMBLIES. WE SUPPLY FOUR (4) WHEEL CONVERSION KITS TO REPLACE YOUR MERCEDES AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH A FOUR (4) WHEEL COIL SPRINGS. SAVE MONEY AND GET BACK ON THE ROAD FAST! ' 365 DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE! ' COMPLAINT ABOUT SUSPENSION : FRONT : SPRINGS : AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED ON THE ROAD TRIP LOOKING FOR RECALL INFORMATION HUNDREDS OF SYSTEMS FAILED SO FAR ON THE INTERNET WHILE STUCK IN A MOTEL FOR TWO DAY SEEKING REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10264173 · filed Apr 5, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC 6X IN 3 DAYS. THE LAST STRAW WAS WHEN IT CUT OFF AS I WAS GETTING OFF ON A RAMP ON 285 NORTH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE IT IS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THAT IS A SHAME THAT THE CAR SHUTS OFF ANYWHERE IT WANTS AND IT IS A MERCEDES S430 2000 WITH 57K MILES. GLAD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR. I BACKED UP TRAFFIC. HEARD THAT THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WITH THE V8 CARS. IT TOOK A HOUR FOR IT TO START AGAIN. THEN IT CUT OFF 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10216449 · filed Jan 29, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED HER VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DRAGGED. SHE STATED IT ALSO TOOK A LONG TIME FOR THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10097077 · filed Oct 18, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SEAT BELT SAFETY DEFECT CONCERN CUSTOMER PURCHASED 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430 THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR WOULD NOT RELEASE**CC THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN A LOCKED POSITION, AND WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPEATEDLY PULLED, IT WOULD LOCK THE SEAT BELT PERMANENTLY. BY PULLING THE SEAT BELT AFTER THE INERTIA WHEEL LOCKED, THE INERTIA WHEEL WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT ONCE THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10199125 · filed Aug 2, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 430 ML. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FLUIDS CONSTANTLY LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER ADDED FUEL IN THE HOSE, WHICH LASTED FOR TWO WEEKS. CURRENTLY, THE FUEL INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATES BADLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE HAS TO CONSTANTLY PLACE FLUID IN THE HOSE BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,872.

NHTSA ID 10255901 · filed Jan 21, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .