2001 Mercedes Benz E430 problems

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SHOCK SPRING FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AT A FUEL STATION AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT CORROSION MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #11242017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SHOCK SPRING FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AT A FUEL STATION AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT CORROSION MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #11242017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KEEPS BREAKING CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE NO ILLUMINATION FOR BRAKING

NHTSA complaint #11032752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY, I WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO TRAFFIC, GOING AROUND 20MPH, MY ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING, OVER-HEATING, OR ANYTHING INDICATION. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY TURN, BUT NO IGNITION. I WAITED NEARLY 20 MINUTES OF TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, WHEN IT FINALLY DID IGNITE AND START. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME (ABOUT 15 MINUTES) WHERE IT THEN DIED AGAIN, JUST OUTSIDE MY PARKING SPACE. THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR INDICATION CODES AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAME UP AS "MALFUNCTION".

NHTSA complaint #10550539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEGAN VERY LIGHTLY RATTLING AT LOW SPEEDS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AT ONLY AROUND 50000 MILES. IT NOW HAS APPROX. 60000 MILES ON IT AND HAS A LOUD NOTICEABLE RATTLE WHICH IS ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION IN THE CAR AND HAS MADE THE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION WORSE AND OF COURSE IT IS NOW "OUT OF WARRANTY" WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER ESPECIALLY FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS PRISTINE AND GARAGE KEPT. HOPEFULLY THE OEM REMANUFACTURED DEALER PART WONT DIE IN ANOTHER 50,000 MILES. AS A NOTE, MERCEDES SHOULD NOT SAY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LIFETIME BECAUSE IT DEFINITELY IS NOT AND OWNERS WHO OBEY THE LIFETIME FLUID RECOMMENDATION WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SOONER OR LATER. I CAN ONLY ASSUME MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL IS DUE TO THE FLUID AND WILL BE HAVING IT REPLACED. ALSO, THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS MALFUNCTIONING TEMPERATURE AND TIME GAUGES AND HAS BURNED OUT LEDS IN THE SPEEDOMETER AREA, WHICH REQUIRES A ~$1,500 COMPLETE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT AS ADVISED. THIS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. MANY OWNERS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL EVEN THOUGH IT IS COMMON.

NHTSA complaint #10456477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEGAN VERY LIGHTLY RATTLING AT LOW SPEEDS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AT ONLY AROUND 50000 MILES. IT NOW HAS APPROX. 60000 MILES ON IT AND HAS A LOUD NOTICEABLE RATTLE WHICH IS ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION IN THE CAR AND HAS MADE THE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION WORSE AND OF COURSE IT IS NOW "OUT OF WARRANTY" WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER ESPECIALLY FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS PRISTINE AND GARAGE KEPT. HOPEFULLY THE OEM REMANUFACTURED DEALER PART WONT DIE IN ANOTHER 50,000 MILES. AS A NOTE, MERCEDES SHOULD NOT SAY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LIFETIME BECAUSE IT DEFINITELY IS NOT AND OWNERS WHO OBEY THE LIFETIME FLUID RECOMMENDATION WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SOONER OR LATER. I CAN ONLY ASSUME MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL IS DUE TO THE FLUID AND WILL BE HAVING IT REPLACED. ALSO, THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS MALFUNCTIONING TEMPERATURE AND TIME GAUGES AND HAS BURNED OUT LEDS IN THE SPEEDOMETER AREA, WHICH REQUIRES A ~$1,500 COMPLETE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT AS ADVISED. THIS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. MANY OWNERS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL EVEN THOUGH IT IS COMMON.

NHTSA complaint #10456477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEGAN VERY LIGHTLY RATTLING AT LOW SPEEDS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AT ONLY AROUND 50000 MILES. IT NOW HAS APPROX. 60000 MILES ON IT AND HAS A LOUD NOTICEABLE RATTLE WHICH IS ALSO CAUSING VIBRATION IN THE CAR AND HAS MADE THE HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION WORSE AND OF COURSE IT IS NOW "OUT OF WARRANTY" WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER ESPECIALLY FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS PRISTINE AND GARAGE KEPT. HOPEFULLY THE OEM REMANUFACTURED DEALER PART WONT DIE IN ANOTHER 50,000 MILES. AS A NOTE, MERCEDES SHOULD NOT SAY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LIFETIME BECAUSE IT DEFINITELY IS NOT AND OWNERS WHO OBEY THE LIFETIME FLUID RECOMMENDATION WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SOONER OR LATER. I CAN ONLY ASSUME MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL IS DUE TO THE FLUID AND WILL BE HAVING IT REPLACED. ALSO, THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS MALFUNCTIONING TEMPERATURE AND TIME GAUGES AND HAS BURNED OUT LEDS IN THE SPEEDOMETER AREA, WHICH REQUIRES A ~$1,500 COMPLETE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT AS ADVISED. THIS OCCURRED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. MANY OWNERS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL EVEN THOUGH IT IS COMMON.

NHTSA complaint #10456477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE SIDE AIR BAGS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10427164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE ROUTE 70 WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING PERCH FAILED AND BROKE OFF OF MY 2001 MERCEDES E430 SEDAN (W210 BODY STYLE), CAUSING THE HIGH PRESSURE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING TO DISMOUNT AND DRAG ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE DISMOUNTED FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING CAUSED THE RIGHT FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE (CARS IN FRONT, BEHIND, AND ALONGSIDE MY VEHICLE). I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TO A SAFE SPOT WHERE UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING WAS LITERALLY RESTING ON THE GROUND. THE FRONT RIGHT END OF MY 2001 MERCEDES E430 WAS COLLAPSED SO BADLY THAT TURNING THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TO RUB ALONG THE FRONT RIGHT FENDER AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUSLY UNBALANCED, WITH CONTROL BEING LIMITED AT BEST. UPON LATER INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCLOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING PERCH HAD RUSTED OUT AND UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, MERCEDES USA IS AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE (MANUFACTURING DEFECT -WEAK WELD POINTS ACCOMPANIED BY CORROSION) BUT CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL PROGRAM IN THE US BUT THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM (NOT SURE WHY?). OVERALL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION (LIMITED CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS, HIGH PRESSURE COIL SPRINGS BECOMING LOOSE DUE TO WEAK / CORRODING COIL SPRING PERCH MOUNTS, DISLOCATED VEHICLE PARTS, LIMITED VEHICLE CONTROL, ETC..). I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY FORTUNATE FOR NOT HAVING SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURY AND NOT TO HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO OTHERS.

NHTSA complaint #10316277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430 SLIPS OUT OF GEAR FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH NO WARNING . IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY AND IN ORDER TO RE-ENGAGE THE DRIVE GEAR I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, PUT GEARS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE, SOMETIME DURING THIS OPERATION SEVERAL TIMES . I CONTACTED A MERCEDES SPECIALIST AND HE SHOWED ME THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE SYNTHETIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS INTO THE ELECTRONICS OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IS ACTUALLY DRAWN UP THE WIRING AND INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY SHOWN THE FLUID AND WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS POSSIBLE, BUT APPARENTLY THE FLUID CONTAINS METALLIC ELEMENTS WHICH ARE AFFECTED BY THE ELECTRICAL CHARGE IN THE WIRING AND ACTUALLY PULL THE FLUID UP INTO THE CONTROL UNIT..THE FIX IS INSTALLING A SPECIAL PLATE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP THE HYDRAULIC FLUID FROM SEEPING INTO THE ELECTRONICS, THIS ALSO ENTAILS REPLACING FLUIDS AND CLEANING THE ELECTRONIC WIRING AND COMPONENTS. REPAIR COST QUOTED IS ABOUT $900. APPARENTLY MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN MANY MERCEDES AUTOS INCLUDING E CLASS AND CLK CLASS WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE NOT MADE ANY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10260264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL EXTREME (NA), SIZE P235-45R1793W TIRES. THE TREAD SEPARATED ON ALL FOUR TIRES BY MORE THAN A HALF OF AN INCH. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO USE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT HEEDED THE ADVICE AND HAD THE TIRES REPLACED. THE FUEL SYSTEM AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 4/25/08

NHTSA complaint #10216393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

2001 MERCEDES E430. MAYBE AS MUCH AS TWO YEARS AGO THE TIME AND TEMP SECTIONS OF MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN LOSING LINES OR PIXELS SO THE TIME AND TEMP COULD NOT BE READ. I HAD JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE AND WAS TOLD, ON THE PHONE BY A MERC. SERVICE PERSON, IT COULD BE FIXED BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SEEN MANY "FORUM" POSTS ABOUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MAKING ME THINK IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I HEARD OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY NOT MY MODEL CAR?? THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD PAY FOR. INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE.

NHTSA complaint #10208646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

RUBBER SEAL AROUND FRONT WINDSHIELD IS DETERIORATING.

NHTSA complaint #10149416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID FROM A CUP SITTING IN THE CUP HOLDER SPILLED INTO THE GEARBOX AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE, WOULDN'T SHIFT OR ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MB DEALER. THE CAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE OVER $600.00 WAS SPENT TO GET A BRAND NEW GEARBOX INSTALLED FOR THE CAR TO BE FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID ALL IT TOOK WAS "LESS THAN A TEASPOON OF LIQUID" TO DROP INTO THAT AREA TO CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL AND IT WAS VERY COMMON--THAT HE'D SEEN IT A LOT ON THESE CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10142522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

CONSUMER HAS HAD 5 TIRE BLOWOUTS IN 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 5 TIRE BLOW OUTS WITHIN 2 YEARS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT TWO OF THE RIMS WERE BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:RIM

CONSUMER HAS HAD 5 TIRE BLOWOUTS IN 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 5 TIRE BLOW OUTS WITHIN 2 YEARS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT TWO OF THE RIMS WERE BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE ZENON HEADLIGHTS ARE BLINDING ALSO FOR THE DRIVER OF THE CAR EQUIPPED WITH THEM. THE REFLECTION ON OBJECTS AND SIGNS IS ANNOYING , BLINDING AND A NUISANCE.THEY ALSO TIRE THE EYES MUCH MORE. I AM 52. I KNOW YOU HAVE A STUDY ON THIS AND WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE THIS, AS A DRIVER AND OF COURSE ALSO AS AD DRIVER FACING CARS EQUIPPED WITH THEM. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED.

NHTSA complaint #765524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

10 DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 32,000 MILES. NLM

NHTSA complaint #566736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 17000 MILES BECAUSE THEY WERE SQUEAKING , THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SOFT BRAKE PADS VERSUS THE PREVIOUS E420 MODEL WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH HARD PADS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER VISIT ANY AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS BRAKING SYSTEM EVALUATED BY A TRAINED TECHINCIAN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #566736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE THE LCD INFORMATIONAL DISPLAYS ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE CONSUMER WEARS POLARIZED SUNGLASSES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LCD'S (WHICH ARE POLARIZED) HAVE THEIR AXIS OF POLARIZATION SUCH THAT THEY CANNOT BE SEEN WHEN WEARING POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. NLM

NHTSA complaint #559744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.