10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 66,837 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.
Abc line started leaking second time in 4 years exactly replaced it back in 2013 almost cost me 1500 and now its back doing the same problems the car is to low on the ground and can't not drive whats so ever
- Hamtramck, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz S430. While driving approximately 65 mph, the abc suspension failed as a result the vehicle automatically lowered in a downward motion towards the road. The contact was able to maneuver to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the fuse link, airmatic pump relay and airmatic compressor were replaced. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 07V263000 (suspension). The VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 71,268.
- Calera , AL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz S55. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph the active body control light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle began to decelerate. The suspension system on the passenger side of the vehicle also failed, causing the vehicle to collapse. After coasting to a stop, the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the suspension pump was leaking. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately six months later the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.
- Concord, CA, USA
The car was leaking oil and hydraulic fluid. The car would not raise up and was leaking oil as fast as it was put in. It was not drivable. Could not fix it I had to park it.
- Orlando, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz S430. While driving approximately 60 mph, the airmatic suspension system warning indicator illuminated and immediately, the vehicle dropped towards the ground. The contact was able to continue driving with extreme caution. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Conyers, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz S430 (na). The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the rear suspension malfunction causing the vehicle to drop to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who replaced the air shock system. The contact stated that the air pump compressor malfunctioned three months prior to the rear suspension failure. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
I'm the owner of a 2002 Mercedes S430 and having trouble repairing the recalls on my vehicle. I have contacted Mercedes directly and the local dealer and they stated that their are no recalls on my vehicle when in fact there is. Please help me resolve this issue.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
Airmatic system warning light indicated that the car was too low to drive. Hence, had to call a tow truck to get said car S430 Mercedes repaired.
- Annapolis, MD, USA
I have a 2002 430S Mercedes Benz with only 69,000 miles on it. I have replaced the airmatic pump and paid $641.89 on Sept 25, 2008 at rick hill imports in kingsport tn and my car is again lowering to the ground while driving speeds of 40 to 50 mph. I have to pull off the road to air my car up which is dangerous. I took it back to rick hill imports they tell me the shocks are leaking air and that is a common problem with these cars. I have started doing research online I have found that their are several issues with this car yr make and model. I am told that I will have to spend another 3000-4000 to get my car in the running condition it needs to be in. My car has not been driven hard or that much. The yr of my car should have about 100000 mile on it, and it does not. I also found where there is an investigation already in place for the airmatic system. I have made Mercedes aware of my problem they refuse to do anything about it. I feel that I have defaulty system and I want them to replace it after all they are known for expense luxury dependable cars and that is why you pay 70,000 dollars for their cars. This lemon airmatic system is going to cause me or one of my family member to get killed lowering to the ground at speed of 40-50mph and pulling off the side of the road to let it air up.
- Greeneville, TN, USA
In April 2007 I noticed the car dropping and the hissing sound of air when the car was parked and turned off. On April 12, 2007 the car dropped extremely close to the tires and I was forced to it for repair since my car is my livelihood. I was told my rear suspension compressor and front suspension on one side needed replacing along with the R/F strut costing me a total of $2086. I hope that I will be reimbursed for something that could have been very tragic. To this date there still seems to be a problem with suspension as I had to take the car back to the shop in December 2007 and a hose was replaced.
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- the driver noticed that vehicle became lower to the ground as he was driving at 20 mph. The road conditions were dry. The contact was parked for approximately 2-3 hours, when he returned and noticed that the vehicle was even lower than before. Took the vehicle to a dealer, who diagnosed the problem as an airmatic system failure. The airmatic system was replaced. The contact did not remember any warning signs prior to the incident. Updated 1/31/2007 -
- Talahassee, FL, USA
The airmatic system fails and the body of vehicle came down to touch all 4 wheels while driving high speed on an interstate I-66 highway. -the dashboard indication showed "airmatic-------stop, car too low" making scraping noise in the front wheel wells both sides.
- Fairfax, VA, USA
: the contact stated, intermittently, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stops and then collapses to the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealership each time. The strut assembly was replaced, the axle calibrated, and the wheels aligned. These efforts have not repaired the vehicle. While the vehicle was in park, there was a loud bang, then smoke coming from the engine compartment. The dealership determined the suspension exploded, but are not aware how to repair the vehicle.
- Davie, FL, USA
After driving and placing gear of 2002 Mercedes Benz S430 in park, my car collapsed so low that car could not be driven, leaving all occupants stranded. Airmatic compressor system, which is car's suspension system totally failed. Car towed on flat bed to dealership. Several parts replaced, including airmatic compessor, sensor, fuse, pump, and more. Car repair cost me $1000.
- Detroit, MI, USA
- Fayetteville, NC, USA