Enter VIN number
Get the most accurate report for the vehicle. Basic information is FREE




We found the following complaints for MERCEDES BENZ S430 (2004)

Read complaints for MERCEDES BENZ S430 (2004)


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!

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.

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 .

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.

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 amercedes 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 $4700.00.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz s430. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel control module failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

While driving airmatic strut snapped him half on the freeway. Whole car dropped and had to tow vehicle to shop. Replaced the airmatic strut and now abs sensor came on and doesnt go away. Replaced sensor and still wont go away so now i lost cruise control, brakes weird, and lost esp control with heavy steering. Common issue on this vehicle with the airmatic suspension.

Car stuck on park, wont release gear due to faulty plastic safety feature that cracks over time due to inferior material. Have to replace whole gear box or remove safety pin which can cause an accident since lever will shift whitout pressing brake or ignition on.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz s430. Due to inadequate illumination of the instrument cluster, the contact was not able to read the gauges and indicators. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the fuse was replaced for the gauges, but the instrument cluster still was not illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,872.

While changing gears from 1st to 2nd gear vehicle shifted harshly and entered into a limp mode.once at a certified mechanic the problem was discovered to be a conductor plate and valve body which has been discovered to be defective on most vehicles with 6 speed transmission and needs to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that an abnormal noise emitted from the trunk of the vehicle and the lid failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that nhtsa campaign number: 04v285000 (latches/locks/linkages) was related to the failure but the vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Car stuck on park, wont release gear due to faulty plastic safety feature that cracks over time due to inferior material. Have to replace whole gear box or remove safety pin which can cause an accident since lever will shift whitout pressing brake or ignition on.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz s430. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while changing gears. The vehicle would also unexpectedly accelerate and decelerate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was due to a software malfunction within the valve body of the transmission. The failure occurred at various speeds. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to occur and the check engine light began to illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was then taken to an independent repair shop and the software was repaired. The failure eventually recurred. The vehicle was not taken back for additional repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 28,000. The vin was unavailable.

While changing gears from 1st to 2nd gear vehicle shifted harshly and entered into a limp mode.once at a certified mechanic the problem was discovered to be a conductor plate and valve body which has been discovered to be defective on most vehicles with 6 speed transmission and needs to be replaced.

Transmission valve body need replacement after entire transmission was replaced @ 50,000 miles.

Car stuck on park, wont release gear due to faulty plastic safety feature that cracks over time due to inferior material. Have to replace whole gear box or remove safety pin which can cause an accident since lever will shift whitout pressing brake or ignition on.

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 amercedes 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 $4700.00.

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 amercedes 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 $4700.00.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz s430.the dealer stated that rain water has been leaking into the front of the vehicle, which caused electrical and computer failures.a leak is present underneath the hood and water is accumulating near the floor mat.the dealer and manufacturer stated that the contact would be responsible for the repairs.the current and failure mileages were 60,000.

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 amercedes 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 $4700.00.

Air suspension failed due to cracks in the top of the front struts. This lead to loss of air pressure, overload and failure of the air compressor. The vehicle is unsafe to drive as the front of the car could no longer be safely supported by the suspension.

While driving airmatic strut snapped him half on the freeway. Whole car dropped and had to tow vehicle to shop. Replaced the airmatic strut and now abs sensor came on and doesnt go away. Replaced sensor and still wont go away so now i lost cruise control, brakes weird, and lost esp control with heavy steering. Common issue on this vehicle with the airmatic suspension.

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.

If the trunk lid is manually lifted, it may not remain in the up position and could cause injury if it comes down while someone is reaching into the trunk. This happened to me several times.

While changing gears from 1st to 2nd gear vehicle shifted harshly and entered into a limp mode.once at a certified mechanic the problem was discovered to be a conductor plate and valve body which has been discovered to be defective on most vehicles with 6 speed transmission and needs to be replaced.

While driving airmatic strut snapped him half on the freeway. Whole car dropped and had to tow vehicle to shop. Replaced the airmatic strut and now abs sensor came on and doesnt go away. Replaced sensor and still wont go away so now i lost cruise control, brakes weird, and lost esp control with heavy steering. Common issue on this vehicle with the airmatic suspension.

The outside right hand mirror has discolored making it difficult to see to cars in back.




Read more




© 2024 All rights reserved