2000 Mercedes Benz 430 problems

AIR BAGS

MY SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN APPEARING SINCE ONE MONTH AND COMES ON MORE FREQUENT. MERCEDES-BENZ E430 RECALL I FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET: MERCEDES-BENZ E430 RECALL 01I005000RECALL 01I005000 BODY, INTERIOR & MISC. ADD TO MY CHECKLIST FIND A DEALERSHIP ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2000 MFR'S REPORT DATE: N/A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01I005000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ00013 COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 2038 SUMMARY: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2000 SLK AND E-CLASS VEHICLES. SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT PARKED IN HIGH TEMPERATURES DURING WARMER MONTHS. CONSEQUENCE: REMEDY: MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG. OWNERS CAN CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM. NOTES: I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT AFFECTED. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CORRECT. WHY WOULD ONE CAR BE COVERED AND NOT ANOTHER. I AM EXPERIENCING A SAFETY ISSUE IT SEEMS ONLY FAIR THAT MERCEDES SHOULD PICK UP THE TAB SOMEONE DID HIT MY CAR ON JULY 13, 2013, BUT THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OCT.

NHTSA complaint #10555676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM,ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SEEM TO STOP RUNNING BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION,DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. NEXT DAY CHECK CAR BATTERY 12.67 VOLTS AND WITH CAR ON 14.56 VOLTS. AT NIGHT THESE WAS SCARY I HAVE NO CLUE TO WHAT HAD HAPPEN. NEXT DAY DROVE CAR AROUND TOWN HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10526036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430 PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER 2000 AND NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 120,000 MILES ON IT. SINGLE OWNER CAR WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ON SCHEDULE OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. CAR JUST PASSED VA ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION 2 WEEKS AGO. BEING DRIVEN AT AROUND 25 MILES PER HOUR AND BEGAN TO FEEL SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER THE CAR. SLOWED DOWN FURTHER AND PROCEEDED DIRECTLY TO GOODYEAR REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER ROAD TEST GOODYEAR LIFTED THE CAR UP AND REMOVED THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE WHEEL TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AT THIS POINT THE COIL SPRING COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CAR AND FELL TO THE GROUND. COMPLETE FAILURE OF RIGHT FRONT PILLAR MOUNT DUE TO RUST. GOODYEAR COULD NOT DO THE REPAIRS. DROVE TO AUTO BODY SHOP AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT FRONT RIGHT SPRING INSTALLED. LEFT TURNS WERE FINE BUT RIGHT TURNS HAD INTENSE METAL TO METAL SCRAPPING SOUNDS. TOTAL ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1526 WITH $240 FOR THE NEW SHOCK TOWER. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I'M GLAD SHE WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ME IN A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. MAJOR PROBLEM FOR MERCEDES BENZ.

NHTSA complaint #10513221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INADEQUATELY ILLUMINATED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,507. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 06/13/11

NHTSA complaint #10397998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES AND INDICATORS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE REPAIRS OF $2000 WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE DEALERS ADVICE. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA complaint #10386195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 430 ML. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FLUIDS CONSTANTLY LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DEALER ADDED FUEL IN THE HOSE, WHICH LASTED FOR TWO WEEKS. CURRENTLY, THE FUEL INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATES BADLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE HAS TO CONSTANTLY PLACE FLUID IN THE HOSE BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,872.

NHTSA complaint #10255901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC 6X IN 3 DAYS. THE LAST STRAW WAS WHEN IT CUT OFF AS I WAS GETTING OFF ON A RAMP ON 285 NORTH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE IT IS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THAT IS A SHAME THAT THE CAR SHUTS OFF ANYWHERE IT WANTS AND IT IS A MERCEDES S430 2000 WITH 57K MILES. GLAD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR. I BACKED UP TRAFFIC. HEARD THAT THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WITH THE V8 CARS. IT TOOK A HOUR FOR IT TO START AGAIN. THEN IT CUT OFF 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10216449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ 430. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. HE PRINTED OUT THE RECALL INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $962. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 156,726.

NHTSA complaint #10205105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

SEAT BELT SAFETY DEFECT CONCERN CUSTOMER PURCHASED 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430 THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR WOULD NOT RELEASE**CC THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN A LOCKED POSITION, AND WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPEATEDLY PULLED, IT WOULD LOCK THE SEAT BELT PERMANENTLY. BY PULLING THE SEAT BELT AFTER THE INERTIA WHEEL LOCKED, THE INERTIA WHEEL WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT ONCE THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10199125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10195597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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

NHTSA complaint #10194804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING FAILURE - LIGHTS OUT ON DASH. CANNOT READ SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10169539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING FAILURE - LIGHTS OUT ON DASH. CANNOT READ SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10169539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10165406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10125408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10125408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10097077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.