2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430 Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated he opened the hatch however, the hatch quickly closed independently. The contact stated he was able to hold the hatch before it closed totally. The contact stated that the passenger’s side spring was detached from the hatch. The contac...
Mileage: 93,268
SRS CODES IS BEING THROWN. IF YOU MOVE A LITTLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IT TRIGGERS CODE TO BE THROWN. STARTED THROWING IT OUT OF NOW WHERE.
Mileage: 178,789
SRS CODES IS BEING THROWN. IF YOU MOVE A LITTLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IT TRIGGERS CODE TO BE THROWN. STARTED THROWING IT OUT OF NOW WHERE.
Mileage: 178,789
ELECTRICAL/FUSE/CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS ARE OUT IN DASH VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Mileage: 141,000
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES S430. THE OTHER DAY MY WIFE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. HOW DO WE ALLOW A VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON THE HIGHWAY THAT WOULD JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AT LEAST GIVING YOU A CHANCE ...
Mileage: 90,000
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES S430. THE OTHER DAY MY WIFE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. HOW DO WE ALLOW A VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON THE HIGHWAY THAT WOULD JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AT LEAST GIVING YOU A CHANCE ...
Mileage: 90,000
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES S430. THE OTHER DAY MY WIFE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. HOW DO WE ALLOW A VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON THE HIGHWAY THAT WOULD JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AT LEAST GIVING YOU A CHANCE ...
Mileage: 90,000
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK NOTHING WORKS IN CLUSTER.DRIVINGHOUR OR TWO WENT BLANK NO REASON
Mileage: 158,000
THE SUSPENSION ON MY 2003 S 430 4-MATIC IS STATING STOP, TOO CLOSE. IT WILL NOT LIFT UP. IS THIS A RECALL ISSUE? PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING GETTING READY TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MY 2003 MERCEDES S430 INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT. THE GAUGES GOT STUCK ON WHAT THEY WERE WHILE DRIVING. I WASN'T ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING ON THE PANEL. I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST SHOP AND THEY CHANGED THE FUSE, HOWEVER THE FUSE BLEW RIGHT BACK OUT EACH TI...
Mileage: 121,000
HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR FAILED ON MY 2003 S430. WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN SEASONAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 2X AT 700.00 ON BOTH OCCURANCES AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHICH I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS 2000,2001.. RECALL#2...
HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR FAILED ON MY 2003 S430. WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN SEASONAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 2X AT 700.00 ON BOTH OCCURANCES AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHICH I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS 2000,2001.. RECALL#2...
HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR FAILED ON MY 2003 S430. WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN SEASONAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 2X AT 700.00 ON BOTH OCCURANCES AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHICH I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS 2000,2001.. RECALL#2...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WA...
Mileage: 81,563
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL AND JERK THE SHIFTER IN ORDER FOR IT TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT...
Mileage: 58,000
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT.
Mileage: 122,000
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT.
Mileage: 122,000
STARTED VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES DARK. NO POWER MIRRORS, SEATS, NO RADIO, NO AIR. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
STARTED CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, DASH GOES DARK. NO POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, RADIO, AIR, SEATS. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. HAPPENED 3 TIMES. TIRES MICHELIN WITH 30000 MILES ON TIRE BUT STILL WITHIN TREAD GUIDELINES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. HAPPENED 3 TIMES. TIRES MICHELIN WITH 30000 MILES ON TIRE BUT STILL WITHIN TREAD GUIDELINES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. HAPPENED 3 TIMES. TIRES MICHELIN WITH 30000 MILES ON TIRE BUT STILL WITHIN TREAD GUIDELINES. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ABNORMALLY LOW. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, ONCE HE REACHED 60 MPH A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE VEHI...
Mileage: 113,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ABNORMALLY LOW. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, ONCE HE REACHED 60 MPH A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE VEHI...
Mileage: 113,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SEIZED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT OR PULL OUT FURTHER FROM ITS PRETENSIONER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO ...
Mileage: 50,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN MXV4 225/55/R17 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE TIRES LOST PRESSURE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILUR...
Mileage: 50,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE OUT OF THE TRUNK AND HE COULD SMELL BURNING PLASTIC. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE A PSE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING IT TO OVER HEAT AND MELT THE WIRING HARNESS...
Mileage: 78,000
A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE MAIN INCIDENT, MY 2003 MERCEDES S430 WOULD STALL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CALLED MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD LET THE CAR RESET, AND THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED TWO TIMES AND BOTH TIMES THERE WAS A TEMPORARY FIX AFTER THE CAR RES...
Mileage: 54,943
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH S-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHUTDOWNS AND ALOT OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILURES. *TR
Mileage: 68,000
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH S-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHUTDOWNS AND ALOT OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILURES. *TR
Mileage: 68,000
VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH DRAINS BATTERY FAULTY FUSE BOXES. *TR
Mileage: 66,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A CAR WASH OR DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE RADIO VOLUME WOULD SPORADICALLY INCREASE AND DECREASE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NOR REPAIRS MADE TO THE...
Mileage: 158,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 S430 MERCEDES BENZ. THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE HEAD LIGHT BULB MELTED . THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST OF $500.00. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE...
Mileage: 1,700
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 S430 MERCEDES BENZ. THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE HEAD LIGHT BULB MELTED . THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST OF $500.00. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE...
Mileage: 1,700
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 S430 MERCEDES BENZ. THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE HEAD LIGHT BULB MELTED . THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST OF $500.00. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE...
Mileage: 1,700
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 S430 MERCEDES BENZ. THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE HEAD LIGHT BULB MELTED . THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST OF $500.00. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE...
Mileage: 1,700
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AND WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS FOR $1200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,402.
Mileage: 94,402
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 95000.
Mileage: 95,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE REACTED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROGRAMMED IN THAT MANNER...
Mileage: 64,000