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We found the following complaints for MERCEDES BENZ S430 (2003)

Read complaints for MERCEDES BENZ S430 (2003)


Srs codes is being thrown. If you move a little in the passenger seat it triggers code to be thrown. Started throwing it out of now where.

I have a 2003 mercedes s430. The other day my wife was going down the highway at 65 mph when it just shut off in the middle of the road. This is very dangerous. How do we allow a vehicle to operate on the highway that would just cut off in the middle of the road without at least giving you a chance to get out of the road. Thanks

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that the vehicle was emitting smoke out of the trunk and he could smell burning plastic. The contact also stated that the a pse pump continued to run after the vehicle was shut off, causing it to over heat and melt the wiring harness. In addition, the contact stated that he had to disconnect the pump from the wiring harness in order to stop the smoking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the electrical relay pump malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 78,000.

Vehicle has electrical short which drains battery faulty fuse boxes.

Instrument cluster flicker when stopped at light.

While driving getting ready to enter the highway my 2003 mercedes s430 instrument panel went out.the gauges got stuck on what they were while driving.i wasn't able to see anything on the panel.i took it to the nearest shop and they changed the fuse, however the fuse blew right back out each time they changed it.the car was still drivable. I haven't had this car for 1 year yet and i am lost at what to do.the shop said the instrument chaise will work but something is blewing the fuse.i was also told that the aluminator in the instrument panel is faulty and needs to be replaced.any help with this issue is helpful.. Please help as this car has become a nightmare (instrument panel, doors don't lock, passender seat moves at wierd times, and the air strut busted) instead of a good dream.i have read a number of issues with the instrument panel failure in these cars.i wish i would of seen this before i purchased it.mercedes needs to cover the cost in fixing this issue.

Electrical/fuse/cluster panellights are out in dash vehicle was stationary

Electrical problems with s-class mercedes benz navigation system shutdowns and alot of electrical systems failures.

A few days before the main incident, my 2003 mercedes s430 would stall for no apparent reason.i called mercedes roadside assistance, and they told me that i should let the car reset, and this would fix the problem.this happened two times and both times there was a temporary fix after the car reset.a day after the second reset, my car completely stalled and engine shut off completely while i was driving on the freeway causing me to almost get into a few crashes.mercedes roadside assistance called the tow company, and they took over an hour and a half to get there.it was a very hot day, and i felt very sick from the heat.the car was towed, and it turns out that the crank sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced.roadside assistance did not tell me it needed to be replaced, but just to let the car reset.there was no warning that the sensor was faulty.there were no lights that came on the dashboard that the sensor was faulty.this is an inherently dangerous defect, that a sensor goes bad with no warning, and the engine shuts off.the sensor was replaced by mercedes for $433.16.i am traumatized by the incident, and i am scared to drive a dangerous car that can shut off with no warning while driving for something as small as a bad sensor.further, i was misled by mercedes roadside assistance that the part needed to reset, rather than be replaced.

The contact owns a 2003 s430 mercedes benz. The plastic cover for thehead light bulbmelted . The dealer contacted the manufacturer requesting assistance with the repair cost of $500.00. The manufacturer has not responded. She also experienced failure with the battery. The dealer replaced the battery, but it continued to discharge. She took the vehicle back to the dealer, but the technician was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally she cannot read any of the gauges or display on the instrument control panel.the failure and current mileages were 1,700. Updated 1/25/10 the consumer was informed that the plastic melting on both head lights was a factory defect.after the instrument panel was installed, the battery continued to die. Updated 01/26/10

Started vehicle in my driveway, shifted into drive and instrument cluster goes dark. No power mirrors, seats, no radio, no air.

Started car in my driveway, dash goes dark. No power windows, locks, radio, air, seats.

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s430. While attempting to turn the key to the on position, the instrument panel became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,563.

The contact owns a 2003 s430 mercedes benz. The plastic cover for thehead light bulbmelted . The dealer contacted the manufacturer requesting assistance with the repair cost of $500.00. The manufacturer has not responded. She also experienced failure with the battery. The dealer replaced the battery, but it continued to discharge. She took the vehicle back to the dealer, but the technician was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally she cannot read any of the gauges or display on the instrument control panel.the failure and current mileages were 1,700. Updated 1/25/10 the consumer was informed that the plastic melting on both head lights was a factory defect.after the instrument panel was installed, the battery continued to die. Updated 01/26/10

The contact owns a 2003 s430 mercedes benz. The plastic cover for thehead light bulbmelted . The dealer contacted the manufacturer requesting assistance with the repair cost of $500.00. The manufacturer has not responded. She also experienced failure with the battery. The dealer replaced the battery, but it continued to discharge. She took the vehicle back to the dealer, but the technician was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally she cannot read any of the gauges or display on the instrument control panel.the failure and current mileages were 1,700. Updated 1/25/10 the consumer was informed that the plastic melting on both head lights was a factory defect.after the instrument panel was installed, the battery continued to die. Updated 01/26/10

I was on the freewaywhen the vehicle lost complete control spinning out of control. Happened 3 times.tires michelin with 30000 miles on tire but still within tread guidelines.

I have a 2003 mercedes s430. The other day my wife was going down the highway at 65 mph when it just shut off in the middle of the road. This is very dangerous. How do we allow a vehicle to operate on the highway that would just cut off in the middle of the road without at least giving you a chance to get out of the road. Thanks

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed that the front passenger's side of the vehicle was sitting abnormally low. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle however, once he reached 60 mph a warning light illuminated, indicating that the vehicle was too low. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but did the contact did not have a diagnostic test performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling, suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and the current mileage was 113,000.

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated whenever the vehicle was driven through a car wash or during rainy weather, the radio volume would sporadically increase and decrease without warrant. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer and there were nor repairs made to the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 158,000. Remailed 07/14/2010.*lj

Instrument cluster flicker when stopped at light.

Instrument cluster went blank nothing works in cluster.drivinghour or two went blank no reason

The contact owns a 2003 s430 mercedes benz. The plastic cover for thehead light bulbmelted . The dealer contacted the manufacturer requesting assistance with the repair cost of $500.00. The manufacturer has not responded. She also experienced failure with the battery. The dealer replaced the battery, but it continued to discharge. She took the vehicle back to the dealer, but the technician was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally she cannot read any of the gauges or display on the instrument control panel.the failure and current mileages were 1,700. Updated 1/25/10 the consumer was informed that the plastic melting on both head lights was a factory defect.after the instrument panel was installed, the battery continued to die. Updated 01/26/10

Heater and air conditioner fan motor failed on my 2003 s430. Which is dangerous in seasonal climate conditions i've had to replace this part 2x at 700.00 on both occurances at my own expense which i dont understand when there is a recall for this same issue for previous years 2000,2001..recall#2004 070010. I've also had to change my shifter gear box which jams in the park position and doesn't allow you to drive the vechicle this is caused by a plastic piece that is susceptible to break within the gear box this issue is also expensive for just 1 faulty trans shifter piece that can totally leave your car inoperable.

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that the gear shifter seized and was unable to move to another gear. The contact had to pull and jerk the shifter in order for it to move into another gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

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.

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.

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.

Srs codes is being thrown. If you move a little in the passenger seat it triggers code to be thrown. Started throwing it out of now where.

I was on the freewaywhen the vehicle lost complete control spinning out of control. Happened 3 times.tires michelin with 30000 miles on tire but still within tread guidelines.

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz s430. The contact stated he opened the hatch however, the hatch quickly closed independently. The contact stated he was able to hold the hatch before it closed totally. The contact stated that the passengerā€™s side spring was detached from the hatch. The contact stated he attempted but was unable to repair the passengerā€™s side spring. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,268.

Electrical problems with s-class mercedes benz navigation system shutdowns and alot of electrical systems failures.

The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed that the front passenger's side of the vehicle was sitting abnormally low. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle however, once he reached 60 mph a warning light illuminated, indicating that the vehicle was too low. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but did the contact did not have a diagnostic test performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling, suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and the current mileage was 113,000.

Heater and air conditioner fan motor failed on my 2003 s430. Which is dangerous in seasonal climate conditions i've had to replace this part 2x at 700.00 on both occurances at my own expense which i dont understand when there is a recall for this same issue for previous years 2000,2001..recall#2004 070010. I've also had to change my shifter gear box which jams in the park position and doesn't allow you to drive the vechicle this is caused by a plastic piece that is susceptible to break within the gear box this issue is also expensive for just 1 faulty trans shifter piece that can totally leave your car inoperable.

The suspension on my 2003 s 430 4-matic is stating stop, too close. It will not lift up.is this a recall issue?please contact me at [xxx]. Thank you[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Heater and air conditioner fan motor failed on my 2003 s430. Which is dangerous in seasonal climate conditions i've had to replace this part 2x at 700.00 on both occurances at my own expense which i dont understand when there is a recall for this same issue for previous years 2000,2001..recall#2004 070010. I've also had to change my shifter gear box which jams in the park position and doesn't allow you to drive the vechicle this is caused by a plastic piece that is susceptible to break within the gear box this issue is also expensive for just 1 faulty trans shifter piece that can totally leave your car inoperable.

I have a 2003 mercedes s430. The other day my wife was going down the highway at 65 mph when it just shut off in the middle of the road. This is very dangerous. How do we allow a vehicle to operate on the highway that would just cut off in the middle of the road without at least giving you a chance to get out of the road. Thanks

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 updated 08/31/09.

I was on the freewaywhen the vehicle lost complete control spinning out of control. Happened 3 times.tires michelin with 30000 miles on tire but still within tread guidelines.




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