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2001 Mercedes-Benz S430Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 73 owner complaints about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S430, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.7× the S430 median · #1 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints738 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage89kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S430 has problems

73 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system373
Interior lighting110
Suspension81
Exterior lighting60
Power train40
Visibility40
Vehicle speed control30
Structure30
Fuel system, gasoline30
11 other systems141

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2001 Mercedes-Benz S430 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

89kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 electrical system complaints. 57% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles17under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other S430 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S430 median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S430, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILUREPE05062 · closed Feb 8, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-028
In owners' words

What S430 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

2 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING MY 2001 S430 FROM LOCAL DEALER (CRITZ BENZ OF SAVANNAH) FOR SERVICE THAT WAS DONE INCORRECTLY.I NOTICE WHILE DRIVING THE BURNED OUT ODOR COMING THE AIR VENTS. I NOTICED MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING START TO FLICKER AS I WAS DRIVING BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. THE NEXT DAY…
Complaint 11337937 · Jul 7, 2020 · 188,622 miles
2001 WAS WHEN THE AIRMATICS FIRST CAME OUT MERCEDES PERFECTED IN 2002 THERE WAS A RECALL BUT I DID NOT GET THE LETTER TIL AFTER THE DATE AND MERCEDES WOULDN'T HONOR IT I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND IT'S BROKEN SUCH A WASTE THE AIRMATICS WON'T GO UP IT'S SLAMMED LOW WE'LL NEED TO TOW IT W THE BIG TOW…
Complaint 11318409 · Mar 17, 2020 · 60,000 miles
THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL CLUSTER THE PIXELS SLOWLY FADE IN AND OUT CANT READ ANY THING THAT GOING ON WITH CAR MILES OR PROBLEMS WITH CAR.
Complaint 11112858 · Jul 21, 2018 · 170,000 miles

Own a 2001 S430?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.