2001 Mercedes-Benz S430 Electrical Problems

2 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING MY 2001 S430 FROM LOCAL DEALER (CRITZ BENZ OF SAVANNAH) FOR SERVICE THAT WAS DONE INCORRECTLY.I NOTICE WHILE DRIVING THE BURNED OUT ODOR COMING THE AIR VENTS. I NOTICED MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING START TO FLICKER AS I WAS DRIVING BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. THE NEXT DAY HOWEVER WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED NO LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASHBOARD WHAT SO EVER, IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE FOUND YOUR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETELY SHORTED OUT. IT SEEMS TO BE SOME FORM OF INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAULT. WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED. PARTS AND LABOR TOGETHER IS $1905.60 TO REPLACE IT. I ASK ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS PART THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. VEHICLE HAS 188,XXX MILES ON IT. IVE ALSO HAD BOTH AIRBAGS REPLACED WITHIN 3 MONTHS AND ONE WHICH EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THAT I PAID THEM TO FIX WHICH WAS AND OUT OF PLACE STRUT OR 'ANOTHER LEAK' IN A PRACTICALLY NEW AIRBAG CAN I PLEASE HAVE SOME ASSISTANCE. --COLBY PEARCE CRITZ AUTO GROUP

NHTSA ID

11337937

Incident

Jun 27, 2019

Mileage

188,622 mi

2001 WAS WHEN THE AIRMATICS FIRST CAME OUT MERCEDES PERFECTED IN 2002 THERE WAS A RECALL BUT I DID NOT GET THE LETTER TIL AFTER THE DATE AND MERCEDES WOULDN'T HONOR IT I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND IT'S BROKEN SUCH A WASTE THE AIRMATICS WON'T GO UP IT'S SLAMMED LOW WE'LL NEED TO TOW IT W THE BIG TOW TRUCK BECAUSE IT'S TOO LOW IT'LL SCRATCH

NHTSA ID

11318409

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER THE PIXELS SLOWLY FADE IN AND OUT CANT READ ANY THING THAT GOING ON WITH CAR MILES OR PROBLEMS WITH CAR.

NHTSA ID

11112858

Incident

Jun 12, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320,000.

NHTSA ID

11099574

Incident

Jun 2, 2018

Mileage

320,000 mi

I DROVE MY WORK TO WORK WHICH IS ONE KILOMETER AWAY. AFTER DROPPING, I PARKED FOR 5 MINUTES. WHEN I TRIED TO START, IT WON'T START. AFTER FEW MINUTES, I TRIED TO START AND IT DID. AFTER A FEW YARDS, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE ROAD. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED BUT WHEN THEY STARTED, THEY JUST HEARD A SOUND OF NOT GOING THRU. THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND THEY CHANGED THE CRANK CENSORCSS 825. I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME.

NHTSA ID

11094045

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S430V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SEIZED BECAUSE IT RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE BEING INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF THOUSAND OAKS (3905 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362 (805) 371-5400) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V208000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ID

11023553

Incident

Aug 23, 2017

Mileage

13,000 mi

TWO YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER JUST QUIT WHILE IN HEVEY TRAFFIC. NO SPEED NO TAC NO GAS NO NOTHING AND IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT INJURY AND FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR ALSO. THIS ITEM WAS A FEDERAL MANDATE RECALL AND MERCEDES SAYS NOT SO AFTER 10 YEARS AND WONT HONOR THE LAW WHICH STIPULATES ITS FOREVER, AND DEALERS INSIST ON A BUY OF A NEW ONE CANT EVEN GET ONE AT COST.

NHTSA ID

10907561

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10897660

Incident

Jul 8, 2016

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY READING THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ID

10759061

Incident

Aug 18, 2015

Mileage

99,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ID

10725483

Incident

Jun 11, 2015

Mileage

131,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10724941

Incident

Jun 9, 2015

Mileage

89,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10722641

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGES, ETC) LIGHT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I CANNOT SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW HOT MY ENGINE IS RUNNING, HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE LEFT, ETC. MY MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR WAS KNOWN TO HAVE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING (UNDER MERCEDES RECALL CAMPAIGN 2006080004) BUT MERCEDES REFUSES TO HONOR THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WANTS $2000 TO FIX THIS DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NHTSA ID

10722367

Incident

Feb 4, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE GAUGES AND LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10714644

Incident

Apr 29, 2015

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HVAC HEATER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID

10712206

Incident

Nov 3, 2014

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10691873

Incident

Feb 21, 2015

Mileage

185,000 mi

MY CAR REGISTRATION WAS (IS) DUE AND I WENT TO A SMOG STATION HERE IN SAN JOSE, CA. HOWEVER, THE CAR FAILED THE TEST AS THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UPON THE KEY/IGNITION BEING TURNED. THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT IS NOT A SERVICEABLE BULB, BUT INSTEAD AN LED WIRED TO THE BOARD. BESHOFF MOTORS (WHERE I BOUGHT THE THEN CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN 2004) ADVISED ON AUGUST 31, 2013 THAT A REBUILT UNIT WAS AVAILABLE FOR $1,308 DOLLARS, BUT NEVER ADVISED ME THAT THIS CAR WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AS RELATES TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH I DISCOVERED ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS. I PLAN TO RETURN TO BESHOFF MOTORS TO ASK FOR A REPLACEMENT CLUSTER ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD. THIS IS QUITE AN URGENT MATTER AS MY REGISTRATION HAS EXPIRED, THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN LEGALLY, NOT HAVING A 'CHECK ENGINE' IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS IS MY WIFE'S MEANS TO GET TO WORK. *JS

NHTSA ID

10538301

Incident

Aug 28, 2013

Mileage

99,054 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER JUSTER FLICKERED A FEW TIMES AND THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT DARK. NO GAS GAUGE, THE SPEEDOMETER OR OTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE CLUSTER ARE NOT WORKING. CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ, STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO ESCALATE. I AM UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS DUE TO THIS. I AM LOCATED IN DEKALB, GEORGIA. PLEASE ASSIST AS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THERE WAS A RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER I WAS UNAWARE OF IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10532939

Incident

Mar 2, 2013

Mileage

140,840 mi

IS DRIVING FROM WORK, ON THE WAY BACK HOME, WHEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 SUDDENLY TURNED BLACK. SINCE IT WAS GETTING DARK, I PANICKED DUE TO MY INABILITY TO GAUGE THE SPEED OF MY DRIVING, AS OCCASIONED BY A NON-FUNCTIONING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT IT WAS ALREADY GETTING DARK. THIS PART WAS ACTUALLY REPLACED BACK IN 29 SEPT 2006, AS PART OF A RECALL. I WAS THEREFORE DISAPPOINTED THAT DESPITE THE RECALL, THE PART THAT THEY INSTALLED IN 2006 WOULD SUFFER THE SAME FATE. CLEARLY, THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED THROUGH A DESIGN CHANGE. WHAT MADE MATTERS WORSE WAS THAT MERCEDES-BENZ CORPORATE HAD REFUSED TO WORK WITH ME TO SHARE IN THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT PART. I AM SURPRISED SINCE I HAD SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SERVICE AND REPAIR COSTS, SINCE RELIABILITY IS SOMETHING THAT IS DEFICIENT IN MERCEDES-BENZ PRODUCTS. FOR THIS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALONE, I HAD TO PAY $1,572.38 (INCLUSIVE OF PARTS, LABOR, AND SALES TAX). I REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATING THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS GETTING HELP IN HAVING MERCEDES-BENZ DEFRAY THE COST OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10519981

Incident

May 6, 2013

Mileage

111,705 mi

MERCEDES BENZ 2001 S430. DOOR ASSIST NOT OPERATIONAL AND FOB/KEY WILL NOT LOCK DOORS NOR WILL OPEN TRUNK. CAN NOT LOCK DOOR WHILE DRIVE AS USUAL WHILE VEHICLE. DOORS HAVE TO BE FORCED CLOSE AND NO INDICATION THAT DOOR IS AJAR SAFETY INDICATOR SHOW IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEI. THERE IS NO WAY YOU WILL KNOW THE DOORS ARE AJAR. CORRECTED BY SLAMMING DOOR CLOSE BEFORE STARTING BUT KEY STILL WON'T OPERATE TRUNK. DEALER THINKS IT'S THE PSE OR SOMETHING ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10505103

Incident

Mar 25, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME STUCK ON 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,400. ..UPDATED 04/19/12 *BF UPDATED 06/04/12

NHTSA ID

10452287

Incident

Mar 15, 2012

Mileage

206,400 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUSE KEEPS BLOWING LEAVING MY SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, ETC. COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 AND I WAS TOLD, BY BOTH THE DEALER AND MBUSA, THAT IT EXPIRED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA AND BOTH HAVE DECLINED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE UNIT AFTER SEVERAL REQUESTS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE IT, BUT AT A COST OF $1600. CURRENTLY, I CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING, HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN MY CAR, ETC. BECAUSE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT (AND DESIGN DEFECT) HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, I FEEL MBUSA SHOULD BACK THEIR PRODUCT COMPLETELY. I HAVE 184K MILES ON THE CAR (WHICH IS NOTHING FOR A MERCEDES BENZ). IT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND MAINTAINED VERY WELL, SO THE "DEFECT" IS NOT THE RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *KB

NHTSA ID

10437640

Incident

Oct 17, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BLANK AND NONE OF THE GAUGES WOULD PROVIDE ACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,704.

NHTSA ID

10413303

Incident

Jul 1, 2011

Mileage

173,704 mi

CONSUMER OF A 2001 S430 V FAULTY SUNROOF, LED SIDE MIRRORS, AND TURN SIGNALS. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS COST HIM A LOT OF MONEY TO REPAIR AND WOULD LIKE IT TO BE FIXED AND BE REPAID IN SOMEWAY. **NAR**KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS PERSISTENT TAIL LIGHT AND HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILURES, ENGINE, FUEL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VACUUM DOOR PUMP, ELECTRICAL, FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURES SUCH AS THE AIRMATIC SHOCKS, THE THRUST ARMS, BALL JOINTS AND THE AIRMATIC PUMP/RELAY. THE TRANSMISSION SEALS LEAKED, THE WASHER FLUID HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE BLOWER MOTOR HARNESS, FAN BELT, DIMMER SWITCH, TRUNK SPRINGS WERE ALL REPLACED. THE PLASTIC TRIM ON THE FRONT SEAT WAS REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING. THE FRONT DOOR SILL STRIP COVER WAS REPLACED. THE THRESHOLD BELLOWS WERE COMING APART, THE SIDE MARKER LIGHT WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10202668

Incident

Jan 8, 2000

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR 2001 S430 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TS THE CONSUMER DIDN'T RECEIVE FULL REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE WOULD ONLY RECEIVE THE AMOUNT THAT MERCEDES BENZ WOULD REIMBURSE UNDER THEIR WARRANTY PROGRAM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HAD HE WAITED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AFTER THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, IT WOULDN'T HAVE COST ANYTHING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10176458

Incident

Nov 21, 2005