38 of the
282 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz S430
are about the lighting —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed, the instrument panel was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V028000 (Interior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11474799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ILLUMINATION OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS INADEQUATE TO SEE THE GAUGES. FLETCHER JONES IMPORTS (7300 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117, (702) 364-2700) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2012. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 209,000.
NHTSA complaint #11377484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11258159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING. ONLY 20,000 MILES SINCE OWNING THE CAR SINCE 1999. THE RECALL FOR SIMILIAR CAR WITH SAME ISSUES BUT THEY SAID NOT THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11142538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 11/18/16 I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 S430 WHEN WILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CAUSING MY ENGINE TO REV. I RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL & TRIED TO PRESS IT AGAIN TO RE ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, THEN BACK TO DRIVE. I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE BACK HOME & PARKED THE CAR UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET A SHOP APPOINTMENT. ON 11/21/16 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP, THEY SAID THE FLUID WAS FULL BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED? SO I TOOK IT HOME TO THINK, (NO PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING HOME). ON 11/22/16 I DROVE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN & AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES MY CLUSTER GAUGE STARTED FLICKERING THEN WENT OUT. HOWEVER, THE BLINKERS STILL WORKED ALONG WITH THE HAZARDS. SO WHEN I WAS DONE WITH MY APPOINTMENT I CHECKED MY FUSES & REPLACED THE ONES INDICATED ON THE CHART. WHILE A SMALL PORTION OF THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON IT WAS BRIEFLY & THEN EVERYTHING WENT OUT, BLINKERS & ALL. SO IN ALL MY FRUSTRATION, I'VE PARKED THE CAR & AM ATTEMPTING TO GET HELP. I FOUND THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE GAUGES BUT NOT MY VIN? IS THIS SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO MY TRANSMISSION? PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10937111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER JUST QUIT WHILE IN HEVEY TRAFFIC. NO SPEED NO TAC NO GAS NO NOTHING AND IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT INJURY AND FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR ALSO. THIS ITEM WAS A FEDERAL MANDATE RECALL AND MERCEDES SAYS NOT SO AFTER 10 YEARS AND WONT HONOR THE LAW WHICH STIPULATES ITS FOREVER, AND DEALERS INSIST ON A BUY OF A NEW ONE CANT EVEN GET ONE AT COST.
NHTSA complaint #10907561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS ON FRIDAY, 6/17/2016, I NOTICED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL WAS VERY DARK. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN AGAIN UNTIL DUSK, ON SATURDAY, 6/18/2016 AND I REALIZED ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE OUT, THE GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS, WORK OR THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THIS DISCOVERY
NHTSA complaint #10875334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 7-26-2015 I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM COMMONWEALTH MOTORS LLC. AFTER 24 HOURS ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT 55MPH, I CALLED BACK AND I FILED A COMPLAINT OF THE BRAKES BEING WORN TO THE METAL, THAT THE SUSPENSION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THAT THE LEFT DRIVER MIRROR WAS BROKEN, AND THE REAR TIRE KEPT GOING FLAT. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHOM CLAIM ITS THE STATE INSPECTOR MADE AN ERROR THEREFORE ITS THE STATES REPSONSIBILTY. I SCHEDULED A FOLLOW UP WHICH THEY DECLINE TO REPSOND TO. THE SECOND THIRD DAY THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT ON AND OUT. I TOOK THE AUTO TO A CERTIFIED BENZ DEALERSHIP AND SHOP TO FIND OUT THESES ISSUES. AFTER PAYING FOR WARRANTY ETC..ON 7-26-2015 CARS PROTECTION PLUS PURCHASED $495.00 8-8-2015 CARS PROTCTION PLUS AUTO PROTECTION WAS DENIED AFTER PAYING $495+$10.00 FILING FEE 8-1-2015 NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT $154.24 10-30-2015 INSTALL AND REPLACE RF LOWER CONTROL ARM $165.00 WAS JUST THE START. THEN THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS STRUTS I WAS TOLD WAS THE CONCERN FROM THE SECOND DAY OF HAVING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10790183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS, THE WINDOWS, AND SOAKED THE SEATS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,363. UPDATE MA 01/13/16 RECALLS 05V505000 AND 06V028000. UPDATED 03/02/16.*JB; UPDATED 04/20/18*JB
NHTSA complaint #10782883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS, THE WINDOWS, AND SOAKED THE SEATS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,363. UPDATE MA 01/13/16 RECALLS 05V505000 AND 06V028000. UPDATED 03/02/16.*JB; UPDATED 04/20/18*JB
NHTSA complaint #10782883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF THEN FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,012.
NHTSA complaint #10781024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CANNOT GIVE THE VEHICLE MILEAGE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE THE MILES DUE TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS NOT BEING ON, CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER, GAUGES OR ANYTHING ELSE, THE INSTRUMENTS ARE DARK BOTH AT NIGHT AND DURING THE DAY. THE CAR STILL OPERATES BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER, YOU HAVE TO LEAN FORWARD TO SEE THE MILEAGE, WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHILE YOU ARE STRAINING TO SEE THE MILEAGE, YOU ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE ROAD, THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I FOUND NHTSA RECALL 060V028 WHICH IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEM BUT MERCEDES SAYS THIS WAS NOT A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10762571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGES, ETC) LIGHT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I CANNOT SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW HOT MY ENGINE IS RUNNING, HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE LEFT, ETC. MY MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR WAS KNOWN TO HAVE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING (UNDER MERCEDES RECALL CAMPAIGN 2006080004) BUT MERCEDES REFUSES TO HONOR THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WANTS $2000 TO FIX THIS DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
NHTSA complaint #10722367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10648396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE GEAR TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS UNABLE TO READ THE KEY AND THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #10640412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST INCIDENT IN OCTOBER 2013 INSTRUMENT PANEL SUGGESTED THAT REAR LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. TOOK IN TO MECHANIC AND REPLACED FUSE, THEN APPROX. 3 WEEK LATER REPEATED MALFUNCTION, BUT NOW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DARK. REPLACED FUSE AGAIN, AFTER THIS TIME IT LASTED FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS. NOW IT'S DECEMBER 2013 AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS DARK, NO MILEAGE, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL OR SAFETY GAUGES. MECHANIC TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AND ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED ON THIS SAFETY ITEM. WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME HELP RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10558888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.