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2001 Mercedes Benz S430

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Mercedes Benz S430 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

52 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Interior Lighting. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

Suspension complaints

8 reports
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60,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020
Electrical SystemSuspensionWheels

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 …

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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 ODI #11318409

222,400 miles · Apr 27, 2017
SuspensionCrashInjury

JANUARY 30, 2015, I NOTICED MY CAR SITTING ON THE GROUND. I STARTED THE CAR, RAISED THE AIRMATICS UP, PULLED OUT MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND MY CAR LOWERED AND SHUT OFF. I REPEAT BY TURNING THE CAR BACK ON AND RAISING THE CAR BACK UP. ON MY WAY HOME I RECEIVED AN EMERGENCY CALL STATED MY COUSIN WAS ABOUT TO BE JUM…

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JANUARY 30, 2015, I NOTICED MY CAR SITTING ON THE GROUND. I STARTED THE CAR, RAISED THE AIRMATICS UP, PULLED OUT MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND MY CAR LOWERED AND SHUT OFF. I REPEAT BY TURNING THE CAR BACK ON AND RAISING THE CAR BACK UP. ON MY WAY HOME I RECEIVED AN EMERGENCY CALL STATED MY COUSIN WAS ABOUT TO BE JUMPED AND TO COME TO THEIR BUS STOP. I ASKED MY FAMILY, "WHERE ARE YOU?" WHEN I ARRIVED AROUND THE CORNER, MY CAR BEGAN LOWERING WHILE DRIVING, I CAME OVER THE HILL AND WAS SHOCKED THAT TRAFFIC WAS COMPLETELY IMPEDED AS MY CAR BEGAN SLIDING DOWN THE HILL. I HAD LESS THAN SECONDS TO RESPOND AND SWERVED TOWARDS AND OPEN FIELD. FOUR YOUTH AND ONE ADULT CAME IN CONTACT WITH MY CAR. I WAS SHACKING, IN SHOCK AS I THOUGHT I HIT MY OWN DAUGHTER. I CALLED 911, TOOK TOXICOLOGY TEST AND WAS CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED BATTERY. MY INSURANCE SAID IT WAS AN ACCIDENT AND SETTLED ALL CLAIMS WITH THE INJURED PARTIES. I KNEW MY PROBLEM WAS THE BRAKES OR SUSPENSION AS THE POLICE TAMPERED WITH EVIDENCE, PLANTED DIRT AND LIED THAT THERE WERE SKID MARKS WHEN THE PHOTOS SHOWED NONE. I HAD FOUR BUSINESSES AND LOSS EVERYTHING BEHIND THIS CAR ACCIDENT. THIS STORY HIT NATIONAL NEWS AS THE TRUTH WAS NEVER TOLD TO THE PUBLIC. PLEASE, STAY ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE PERTAINING TO THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. I CONTINUED REQUESTING FOR THEM TO FIX MY CAR AND HAVE RECEIPTS TO PROVE IT. IT WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED BUT NENES COMPLETELY FIXED. IF I HAD KNOWN THE SUSPENSION COULD RESULT TO AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASE THIS CAR. I DROVE MY CHILDREN AROUND IN THIS UNSAFE CAR AND IT HURT OTHERS IN THE PROCESS. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #10981095

100,000 miles · Dec 17, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRES. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF UPDA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRES. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF UPDATED 03/22/11

NHTSA ODI #10371062

125,315 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Suspension

AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILURE IN MERCEDES BENZ S430. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354549

118,400 miles · Jan 31, 2009
Interior LightingSuspension

VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL HAS FAILED. NO LIGHTS OR INSTRUMENT INDICATORS FUNCTION. ALL LIGHTS WITH IN THE PANEL DO NOT OPERATE. ALSO SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE FAILING. AFFECTED BY WEATHER. COLD WEATHER AFFECTS VEHICLE NOT ALLOWING RISE OF CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257053

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2008
EquipmentSuspension

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR MERCEDES 2001 S430 AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN ON A BACK ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. FIRST IT HAD DROPPED SO LOW IT PREVENTED STEERING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER WITHOUT DAMAGING CAR. THEN WE HAD THREE TOWING COMPANIES WHICH WOULD NOT TOW THE VEHICLE BECAUSE O…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR MERCEDES 2001 S430 AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN ON A BACK ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. FIRST IT HAD DROPPED SO LOW IT PREVENTED STEERING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER WITHOUT DAMAGING CAR. THEN WE HAD THREE TOWING COMPANIES WHICH WOULD NOT TOW THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF LIABILITY TO FRONT END DAMAGE. I CHANGED THE RELAY THROUGH RESEARCH AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT UP ENOUGH TO BE TOWED. TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THIS WAS TAKEN FOUR DAYS TO EXECUTE. THEN I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY TO HAVE A VEHICLE TOWED IN MY LIFE. THEN BY THAT TIME I NEW THE STRUT TOPS HAVE BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE W220 MB. I HAD CONVEYED THAT TO THE NEWMARKET, ONTARIO. CANADA DEALERSHIP. BUT THEY STILL HAD TO DO DIAGNOSTICS AND FOR THAT FEE THEY CAME UP WITH REPLACING THE FRONT TOP STRUTS. WHICH THEY HAVE A NEW REBUILD KIT FOR. THE TOTAL SO FAR 760.00 THEN THEY CALL ME BACK AND THEY COULD NOT ADJUST THE LEVEL AND HAD TO DIAGNOSE THAT. ANOTHER CHARGE AND ENDED UP WITH A CORRODED WIRE. OUT THE DOOR BOXING DAY 1290.00. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD TOLD ME IT WAS COMMON FOR THE SUSPENSION TO DROP IN COLD WEATHER. AND IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE THIS IN BUT I AM EVEN MORE AFRAID TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AT 120KM HR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219195

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

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 FAIL…

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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 ODI #10202668

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2002
Power TrainSuspension

VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE WHEN TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND HIGHER. ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE, NOT JUST THE STEERING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8002232

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.