2000 Mercedes Benz 430: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
98,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Interior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Interior Lighting | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
Interior Lighting: 4; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System: 2; Suspension: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
2001: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 3
Pattern summary
Interior Lighting leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10074578 · 2004-06-01 (June 1, 2004)
ACCELERATION PEDAL FAILURE. THE ACCERATOR REFUSED TO RESPOND, PICKED UP SPEED, RESULTING IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097077 · 2004-10-18 (October 18, 2004)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED HER VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DRAGGED. SHE STATED IT ALSO TOOK A LONG TIME FOR THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125408 · 2005-06-15 (June 15, 2005)
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED WITH NO OBDII ERROR CODE SET. ENGINE FAILS TO START DURING A FAILED SENSOR CONDITION. ENGINE FAILS RANDOMLY AT ANY TIME DUE TO A HEAT RELATED INTERMITTENT SENSOR PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH LATE MODEL MERCEDES - ENGINES STOP IN HOT WEATHER DUE TO THIS FAILING SENSOR. DEALERSHIPS SELL ALOT OF THESE SENSORS - NONE CLAIM A RELIABLE ONE HAS YET TO BE BEEN PROVEN RELIABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165406 · 2006-08-14 (August 14, 2006)
I TOOK MY MB S430 TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR AND DROVE OFF THE DEALER LOT, MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO FLASH AND THEN IT WENT COMPLETELY DARK. I CAN NOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER TO SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING, OR THE TEMP AND FUEL GAUGE. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW SPEEDOMETER($1600). I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER FOR SPEEDING. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET A TICKET. I CAN PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION YOU NEED TO VERIFY THIS INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10169539 · 2006-09-28 (September 28, 2006)
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING FAILURE - LIGHTS OUT ON DASH. CANNOT READ SPEED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10169539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170777 · 2006-10-13 (October 13, 2006)
I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES S430 THAT IS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE IN THE RAIN. I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THE REAR END OF THE CAR BECAME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED ME TO HIT THE CENTER GUARD RAIL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. AFTER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCED DRIVING, I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10194804 · 2007-06-27 (June 27, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIXELS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY ARE FAILING. THE INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED IS NOT LEGIBLE. HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR FUEL GAUGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10195597 · 2007-07-09 (July 9, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR SIDE DOOR AND THE FABRIC AROUND THE ROOF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10195597 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.