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: 19 of 23 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.
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. 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.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
23 reports
246,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
EquipmentFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, HE SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING ODOR THEN SUDDENLY THE AIR CONDITIONED FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR REGUL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, HE SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING ODOR THEN SUDDENLY THE AIR CONDITIONED FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR REGULATOR WIRES MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THEY STATED THAT ON APRIL 20, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V141000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000.
NHTSA ODI #10469367
93,264 miles · Jan 27, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED IN 2005, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE LOWER DOOR STRIP SEAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOWER BOTTOM EDGE OF ALL FOUR DOORS WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED IN 2005, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE LOWER DOOR STRIP SEAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOWER BOTTOM EDGE OF ALL FOUR DOORS WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,264.
NHTSA ODI #10445641
27,000 miles · Dec 7, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS WERE BEGINNING TO RUST FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS WERE BEGINNING TO RUST FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 87,000. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 12/30/11
NHTSA ODI #10438841
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2000 Mercedes Benz S430 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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