10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,914 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #9

Jul 202022

S430

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated that the electric conductor from the blower motor to the fuse holder overheated and melted the fuse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V227000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Ocean City, MD, USA

problem #8

Sep 252017

S430

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430. While starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster did not illuminate and the screen was dark. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 175,000.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 152016

S430

  • miles
This vehicle often drops lower, while in motion. This is hazardous! I have had this airmatic air suspension system repaired three times on this vehicle within the last three years, and it appears this is one problem that Mercedes Benz refuses to correct. In my last S430, I had the same issue, and had to pay huge amounts to fix the problems. I feel no one is doing anything to get Mercedes Benz to fix this ongoing safety issue. I will like NHTSA to get Mercedes Benz to take responsibility for these ongoing defects.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #6

Jun 042016

S430

  • 90 miles
My instrument control panel backlighting experienced an electrical malfunction resulting in the failure to illuminate the gauges. The condition was diagnosed by my independent mechanic on 06/06/16. In doing so he informed me of recall campaign number 06V-028. I was told that the remedy is for the manufacturer to replace the cluster module free of charge and that I would need to call Mercedes Benz corporate to schedule a replacement. I called Mercedes and spoke with eric at ext 7806 without any satisfaction at all. As a matter of fact, he discouraged me from escalating my call to his boss for 10 minutes before I became irate and demanded to speak with a manager. At that point I spoke with case manager joe from ext 6299. I was told that it was corporate policy to not give out their last names. After lenghtly verbal sparring that didn't amount to any satisfaction, I was told the campaign expired in 2013. Joe said he could offer me some assistance if I wanted to purchase a new Mercedes. (seriously?) I then called the us department of transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and got a different campaign assessment. I was told that the campaign expired 10 years from the ruling date of 2006. In this case, that would mean the campaign would end in 2016. With that said, I have no idea where the 2013 expiration date came from. With that being said, I feel the need to make this complaint in hopes of getting to the bottom of this conflicting information. I was told that I should take it to a mb dealership for diagnosis at my cost, followed by a replacement at my cost as well. Customer service was very curt and didn't attempt to care about my plight not even slightly. I'm taking this measure as I cant afford to incur this cost from a mb dealership. Btw, the car was in motion on a highway during a long trip when this occurred. Very frightening!

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jan 082015

S430

  • 173,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the stop and too low warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.

- Madison, WV, USA

problem #4

Mar 022007

S430

  • 29,066 miles
I purchased a certified pre-owned 2004 Mercedes Benz S430-4matic in March 2007, after retiring. I also brought an extended warranty costing over $3000 dollars. I have returned this vehicle to a Mercedes Benz dealership for repairs over approximately 27 times since purchasing the vehicle. The problems include the electrical system (door locks); trunk lid lock, suspension system, tire pressure sensors, engine and engine cooling system (air conditioning system will only dispense cold air at 55 degrees and lower) and most recently the radio and navigation system are failing. Now that the warranties on the vehicle have expired the dealership will not repair the above problems under warranty. I filed a complaint with Mercedes Benz usa and I'm waiting for a decision regarding the repairs totaling over $4700.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #3

Aug 122010

S430

  • 33,243 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz S500. While driving 65 mph he started to smell an electrical fire and continued to drive to his destination. After arriving to his destination he noticed that everything electrical in the rear of the vehicle was no longer working. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised him that the drain hole for the air conditioner had filled the floor board with water. The dealer replaced the transponder module and the fuse box since the transponder melted during the failure. The failure mileage was 33,243 and the current mileage was 33,300.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #2

May 172008

S430

  • 37,823 miles
A complete shutdown of the electrical system occurred after a rain. As a result I am unable to drive the car. Mercedes authorized mechanic cites "air intake at blower intake area was inverted at installation from the factory". the car is in process of being repaired. A complete overhaul of the electrical system will have to be performed. The Mercedes dealer calls it "water intrusion".

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

May 192004

S430

  • 4,000 miles
While driving vehicle lost power. The engine continued running, but there was no power brake or power steering. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and had been there for 3 weeks, but they could not identify the cause of the failure. A diagnostic test was performed, but no failure code was found. Dealership was awaiting a factory representative to inspect the vehicle. This problem could be attributed to an electrical failure.

- Moscow, PA, USA