Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 13 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Interior Lighting. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2013
Air Bags
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…
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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 ODI #10555676
148,000 miles · Jul 21, 2013
Electrical System
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 A…
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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 ODI #10526036
120,000 miles · May 23, 2013
Suspension
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 C…
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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 ODI #10513221
81,507 miles · Apr 27, 2011
Interior Lighting
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: 06V…
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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 ODI #10397998
182,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Interior Lighting
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 …
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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 ODI #10386195
89,000 miles · Apr 5, 2009
SuspensionCrash
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 CONVERSIO…
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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 ODI #10264173
124,872 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Steering
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 ILLUMI…
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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 ODI #10255901
57,720 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 TRAFF…
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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 ODI #10216449
156,726 miles · Oct 5, 2007
Electrical System
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 C…
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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 ODI #10205105
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2007
Seat Belts
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…
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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 ODI #10199125
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE05062 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 10, 2005 · Closed Feb 8, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Interior Lighting
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES FAILED IN THAT CONSUMERS WERE UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLES AT ANY SPEED DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT.IN ITS 573 REPORT TO NHTSA DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2006, MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (MERCEDES-BENZ)STATES THAT THERE ARE THREE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MODES THAT WOULD RESULT IN UNDESIRABLE OPERATION.THESE THREE FAILURE MODES ARE SPECIFIC TO CERTAIN DATES OF PRODUCTION (SEE BELOW) FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING THOSE VEHICLES WITHIN THOSE DATES.SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THE FAILURE MODES IS DESCRIBED IN MERCEDES-BENZ'S REPORT (SEE NHTSA RECALL 06V028).THREE OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED TO MERCEDES-BENZ INVOLVE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED BEFORE THE DATES OF PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE THREE FAILURE MODES.BASED ON REVIEW OF THOSE THREE COMPLAINTS, MERCEDES-BENZ WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A RELATION OF THOSE THREE TO THE DEFECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ALL OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ COMPLAINTS WITH VINS IDENTIFIED WERE WITHIN THE RECALL POPULATION (ONLY 2 VEHICLE VINS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO POSITIVELY IDENTIFY VEHICLE BUILD DATE).THE RECALL POPULATION WILL INCLUDE 36,911 S CLASS AND CL CLASS MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES BUILT IN THE PRODUCTION DATES RANGING FROM JUNE 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2000, JANUARY 2002 THROUGH APRIL 2002, AND MAY 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2004.THESE DATES OF PRODUCTION COVER VEHICLES FROM THE 2000-2002 MY AND THE 2004-2005 MY.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, MERCEDES-BENZ WILL REPLACE ALL AFFECTED INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS WITH IMPROVED ONES THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE FAILURE MODES.MERCEDES-BENZ WILL BEGIN OWNER NOTIFICATION DURING THE 1ST QUARTER OF 2006.
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