2003 Mercedes-Benz S430 problems
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S430. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 36% of complaints. After that come suspension (10%) and lighting (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 39 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 93,000 miles 35 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 35 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 93,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a fire. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 90% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Mercedes-Benz S430 with enough data (0 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. In addition, the contact stated that he had to disconnect the pump from the wiring harness in order to stop the smoking.
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. The dealer kept the vehicle and provided him with a loaner. The loaner was a mercedes also, but the failure did not occur. The contact believes that the failure was due to a manufacturer defect.
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.
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 vehicle was too low. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but did the contact did not have a diagnostic test performed.
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.