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2003 Mercedes Benz S430

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes Benz S430 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →
26Owner 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
200512
2006
Compare all S430 years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
12Suspension
4Exterior Lighting
3Seat Belts
3Engine
2
All reported categories
Power Train
2Unknown Or Other
2Air Bags
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment
1Seats
1Steering
1Structure
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 2 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 12 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 →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 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

Seat Belts complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
50,000 miles · Jul 25, 2012
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT OR PULL OUT FURTHER FROM ITS PRETENSIONER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN IN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT OR PULL OUT FURTHER FROM ITS PRETENSIONER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10467696

94,402 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AND WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS FOR $1200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,402.

NHTSA ODI #10281304

95,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 95000.

NHTSA ODI #10281295

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.