Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
125–50K
250–75K
375–100K
14100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
31 reports
57,063 miles · Jan 7, 2012
Power Train
WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED FROM INSIDE THE CAR WASH BAY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, WHICH IS PLASTIC, BROKE PROHIBITING THE CAR FROM SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE SENT TO US TOLD US HE SEES THIS ALL OF THE TIME WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. ALSO BY …
Read full complaint
WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED FROM INSIDE THE CAR WASH BAY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, WHICH IS PLASTIC, BROKE PROHIBITING THE CAR FROM SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE SENT TO US TOLD US HE SEES THIS ALL OF THE TIME WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. ALSO BY THE FORUMS, YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A PARTICULAR PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN YEARS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE NEW SHIFT BOX FROM MERCEDES HAS AN ALUMINUM SAFETY SWITCH OR "BILLET". WE ATTEMPTED TO BUY THE NEW "BILLET" BUT OUR MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WILL NOT SELL IT TO US. WE WERE TOLD HE HAD TO HAVE THEM TAKE THE ENTIRE THING APART DO THE WORK THEMSELVES FOR CLOSE TO $1000 FOR WHAT SHOULD BE A $00.50 PART. IN ORDER TO GET THE "BILLET" IT HAS TO BE BOUGHT AFTERMARKET ONLINE FOR CLOSE TO $200.00. OBVIOUSLY MERCEDES BENZ KNEW IT WAS AN ISSUE, THEREFORE CHANGING IT FROM PLASTIC TO ALUMINUM, SO THEY SHOULD BE CHANGING ALL PLASTIC ONES FOR FREE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442782
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.
2002 Mercedes Benz S430 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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