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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

1 reports
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64,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE REACTED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROGRAMMED IN THAT MANNER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE REACTED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROGRAMMED IN THAT MANNER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED HIM WITH A LOANER. THE LOANER WAS A MERCEDES ALSO, BUT THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 08/28/09 *BF UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10279458

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.