SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2002 Mercedes Benz S430

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mercedes Benz S430 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →
31Owner complaints

Model-year median: 23

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
23
200073
200131
200226
200318
200411
2005
Compare all S430 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
20Suspension
8Exterior Lighting
7Power Train
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1
All reported categories
Interior Lighting
1Structure
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 4 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 20 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 →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 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

Structure complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
80,000 miles · May 12, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD LOCKED INITIALLY OUT OF THE BLUE, I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE. I TURNED IT OFF TO STOP IT AND THEN IT WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK. AFTER THE MERCEDES TECH CAME OUT IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE TECH SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH HAD KICKED IN. THEN THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE WENT DOWN. I AM TOLD…

Read full complaint

THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD LOCKED INITIALLY OUT OF THE BLUE, I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE. I TURNED IT OFF TO STOP IT AND THEN IT WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK. AFTER THE MERCEDES TECH CAME OUT IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. THE TECH SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH HAD KICKED IN. THEN THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE WENT DOWN. I AM TOLD THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION WENT OUT. WHY? THE CAR SAID STOP AIRMATIC TO LOW. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WHICH MAY HAVE LEAD UP TO THESE ISSUES. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN NOT AFFORD THE $2,000 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE WITH THE AIRMATIC. IS THERE ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE OR WARRANTY WITH MERCEDES THAT IS RESPONSIBLE. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS THE RADIO GOING OUT FOR 2-3 MONTHS AND THEN COMING BACK ON OUT OF THE BLUE. THE DOOR OPEN SIGNAL NOT GOING OFF IN THE ALERTS. THE TRUNK SWITCH NOT WORKING TO OPEN THE TRUNK, IT CAN ONLY BE OPENED MANUALLY. LASTLY THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY GOING OUT AFTER REPLACING THE BULB FOR 1 MONTH. RUST AND DETERIORATION ON THE ROOF BY THE SUNROOF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458206

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.