Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2000 Mercedes Benz E430 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 46
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E430. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 98
19% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2000 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E430
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Mercedes Benz E430
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
523.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 202,000 mi
Electrical System
314.3%
Median failure at 63,430 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
314.3%
Median failure at 60,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
29.5%
Median failure at 41,085 miles
Suspension
29.5%
Median failure at 147,500 miles
Equipment & Accessories
14.8%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Seat Belts
14.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Wheels
14.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.8%
Lights
14.8%
Median failure at 63,430 miles
Brakes
14.8%
Median failure at 70,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
17.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
538.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
430.8%
150,000+ miles
323.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2001peak 2Oct 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Mercedes Benz E430
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE03058Opened 17 Dec 2003Closed 22 Apr 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
West Orange, NJCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED AN OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE HIT THE RIGHT FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MB STATED THE SRS FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED; IT DIDN'T DEPLOY BECAUSE THE IMPACT WAS BELOW DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO REACH AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE RESTRAINED THE CONSUMER IF IT WAS WORN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER PROPERLY. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED 07/06/10
NHTSA complaint #10313191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Orange, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED AN OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE HIT THE RIGHT FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MB STATED THE SRS FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED; IT DIDN'T DEPLOY BECAUSE THE IMPACT WAS BELOW DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO REACH AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE RESTRAINED THE CONSUMER IF IT WAS WORN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER PROPERLY. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED 07/06/10
NHTSA complaint #10313191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 293,403 milesSomis, CA
AIR BAGS
SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG EXPLOSION WHILE I AM ON THE FREEWAY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE ONLY ON A SUNNY DAY WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC WITHOUT A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT AND A SMOOTH ROAD AND OCCURRED ON 10 OCTOBER 2018 AND I WAS TRAVELING ON THE SLOWER LANE ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE SANTA PAULA FREEWAY FROM VENTURA CA GOING EAST
NHTSA complaint #11140773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPark Ridge, IL
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ E430. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V256000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10860684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesEdison, NJ
SUSPENSION
MOUNTING FOR SUSPENSION SPRING FAILED, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION SPRING TO FALL OUT. I WAS GOING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY. HAD I BEEN CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10703651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,430 milesStockbridge, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, ALL OF THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS WENT OUT. I COULD NO LONGER GET A READING ON THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING, THE GAS LEVEL, ETC. OR ANYTHING ELSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAY AS THERE WAS STILL DAYLIGHT. HAD IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM AS I WAS MORE THAN 45 MINUTES FROM HOME. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL OF CERTAIN 2000 S430 VEHICLES DUE TO THIS "CLUSTER LIGHT "MALFUNCTION." I CHECKED MY VIN AND APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THOUGH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY.
NHTSA complaint #10644169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,430 milesStockbridge, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, ALL OF THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS WENT OUT. I COULD NO LONGER GET A READING ON THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING, THE GAS LEVEL, ETC. OR ANYTHING ELSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAY AS THERE WAS STILL DAYLIGHT. HAD IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM AS I WAS MORE THAN 45 MINUTES FROM HOME. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL OF CERTAIN 2000 S430 VEHICLES DUE TO THIS "CLUSTER LIGHT "MALFUNCTION." I CHECKED MY VIN AND APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THOUGH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY.
NHTSA complaint #10644169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesSterling, VA
SUSPENSION
MOUNTING FOR SUSPENSION SPRING FAILED, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION SPRING TO FALL OUT. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, AND IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY. HAD I BEEN CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10618643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesNorthridge, CA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES E430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INSTEAD. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10405446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,343 milesBrooklyn, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2000 E430 SPORT. NO NEED TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO MOVE THE SHIFT GEAR OR TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE CAR IS OFF. THE SHIFT FEAR MOVES FREELY FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10360403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,000 milesUpper Marlboro, MD
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED AS HE STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.
NHTSA complaint #10351978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Orange, NJCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED AN OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE HIT THE RIGHT FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MB STATED THE SRS FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED; IT DIDN'T DEPLOY BECAUSE THE IMPACT WAS BELOW DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO REACH AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE RESTRAINED THE CONSUMER IF IT WAS WORN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER PROPERLY. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED 07/06/10
NHTSA complaint #10313191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Orange, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED AN OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE HIT THE RIGHT FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. THE OTHER DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MB STATED THE SRS FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED; IT DIDN'T DEPLOY BECAUSE THE IMPACT WAS BELOW DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO REACH AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE RESTRAINED THE CONSUMER IF IT WAS WORN PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER PROPERLY. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED 07/06/10
NHTSA complaint #10313191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON E-CLASS MERCEDES, PASSENGER SEAT HAS FUNCTION TO DISABLE AIRBAGS IF A CHILD SEAT IS IN PLACE. FUNCTION IS FAILING SUCH THAT ANYONE SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG DISABLE FUNCTION SO NO FRONT PASSENGERS HAVE AIRBAG. MERCEDES IS AWARE BUT TAKING NO ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10297766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRES, THE JACK THAT CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE VEHICLE FELL OVER ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10263887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richboro, PW
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES E430. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWS SCRAMBLED TIME DISPLAY AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY. THE CLUSTER WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2003 AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM RE-APPEARED AGAIN IN 2006 ON THE NEW CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10220830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLaguna Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. AS THE CONTACT PULLED OUT AGAIN, THE BRAKES FAILED A SECOND TIME WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO BOTH INCIDENTS. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS AWAITING INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10157417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleair Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10157330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,085 milesBelleair Beach, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PETITION FOR INVESTIGATION INTO DESIGN DEFECT OF THE CUP HOLDER ON THE 2000 E430 MERCEDES BENZ, CUP HOLDER LOCATED OVER SHIFTING MECHANISM, COFFEE SPILLED AND SHUT DOWN ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE LIQUID SPILLED. THE CAR JERKED AND SLOWED DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO AN ENTRANCE OF A SHOPPING CENTER. THE CONSUMER PAID $905.27 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND FEELS THAT THE COST SHOULD BE ABSORBED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DESIGN HAS BEEN REDESIGNED IN NEWER MODELS SO THAT THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT IS COVERED WITH LEATHER AND DOES NOT EXPOSE ANY PART OF THE MECHANISM.
NHTSA complaint #10141055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER'S CONCERNS REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CUP HOLDER WHICH SITS OVER THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD LIQUID IN THE CUP WHICH SPILLED INTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10138804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse Pointe, MI
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I OWN A 2000 E430 MERCEDES AND BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THE CAR HAS 39,000 ON THE ODOMETER. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE I TRANSPORT MY GRANDCHILDREN IN CHILD SEATS IN THE REAR AND WHEN THE WINDOW FAILS, IT FAILS IN THE DOWN OR OPEN POSITION. IN EACH INSTANCE, I COULD NOT LOCK OR SECURE THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10118807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,975 milesArlington, VA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONSUMER SPILLED COFFEE INTO THE SHIFTER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER HOW TO LOOSEN THE SHIFTER. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10106626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackensack, NJ
WHEELS
THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED FIVE FLAT TIRES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THE SERVICE ADVISOR EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE NEW 17 INCH TIRES HAVE LESS SIDEWALL AND MAKES THE TIRE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLATS AND RECOMMENDED GOING TO 16 INCH TIRES, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER REPLACES THE WHEELS AND TIRES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.