Total Complaints
19 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ S430 · model year
19 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005MERCEDES-BENZS430 carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 S430 is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (2) and power train (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2005 S430. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
19 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT | 1 |
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, he became aware that the defroster was not working properly, affecting the visibility while driving. The contact also stated that the heater and the A/C were not working. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V227000 (Electrical System); however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, he became aware that the defroster was not working properly, affecting the visibility while driving. The contact also stated that the heater and the A/C were not working. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V227000 (Electrical System); however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AFTER THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS STILL INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 206,000. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2005 S430 ##
Mileage: 206,000
DASH WARNINGS:: SRS INACTIVE, PRE-SAFE UNAVAILABLE, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT AND THERE IS NO BABY SEAT IN IT.
Mileage: 100,000
DASH WARNINGS:: SRS INACTIVE, PRE-SAFE UNAVAILABLE, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT AND THERE IS NO BABY SEAT IN IT.
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE GAUGES WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/08/16.*JB
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Mileage: 105,000
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 CONCE
Mileage: 30
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 CONCE
Mileage: 30
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 CONCE
Mileage: 30
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SHIFT LOCK LEVER FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Mileage: 107,000
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.
Mileage: 105,000
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.
Mileage: 105,000
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.
Mileage: 105,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S430. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE IGNITION CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND DID NOT NOTICE A FLAME BUT PULLED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY DUE TO FEAR IT COULD EXPLODE. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE AIR PUMP AND AIR MODULE PUMP COMPRESSOR WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
I LEASED A NEW MERCEDES BENZ S430 DURING DECEMBER 2004 FROM WALTER'S MB IN RIVERSIDE, CA. PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY SYSTEM (ESP) BEGAN MARCH 2005 AND ON MARCH 16, 2005 REPORTED PROBLEMS TO WALTERS MB DURING SERVICE VISIT. ON DECEMBER 9, 2005 REPORTED PROBLEM AGAIN TO WALTER'S MB DURING SERVICE VISIT. BOTH TIMES I REPORTED HOW VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BOARD LIGHTING WOULD BLINK AND BLACK OUT BUT ESP LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD TURN ON CAUSING VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN SPEED TO 15 MILES PER HOUR ON FREEWAY. DURING DECEMBER 2005 I SENT COMPLAINT LETTER TO NHTSA RECALL OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, DC. REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING AND ESP COLLATERAL PROBLEM. I INCLUDED COPY OF JUNE 2004 MERCEDES BENZ RECALL IN JAPAN OF 98,000 SCLASS VEHICLES WITH ESP PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED SAME PROBLEM EXISTED HERE IN UNITED STATES. LATER DURING FEBRUARY 2006 ESP PROBLEM RETURNED AND REPORTED PROBLEM TO WALTERS MB VEHICLE WAS SERVICED DURING FEBRUARY, MARCH
Mileage: 3,801
I LEASED A NEW MERCEDES BENZ S430 DURING DECEMBER 2004 FROM WALTER'S MB IN RIVERSIDE, CA. PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY SYSTEM (ESP) BEGAN MARCH 2005 AND ON MARCH 16, 2005 REPORTED PROBLEMS TO WALTERS MB DURING SERVICE VISIT. ON DECEMBER 9, 2005 REPORTED PROBLEM AGAIN TO WALTER'S MB DURING SERVICE VISIT. BOTH TIMES I REPORTED HOW VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BOARD LIGHTING WOULD BLINK AND BLACK OUT BUT ESP LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD TURN ON CAUSING VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN SPEED TO 15 MILES PER HOUR ON FREEWAY. DURING DECEMBER 2005 I SENT COMPLAINT LETTER TO NHTSA RECALL OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, DC. REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING AND ESP COLLATERAL PROBLEM. I INCLUDED COPY OF JUNE 2004 MERCEDES BENZ RECALL IN JAPAN OF 98,000 SCLASS VEHICLES WITH ESP PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED SAME PROBLEM EXISTED HERE IN UNITED STATES. LATER DURING FEBRUARY 2006 ESP PROBLEM RETURNED AND REPORTED PROBLEM TO WALTERS MB VEHICLE WAS SERVICED DURING FEBRUARY, MARCH
Mileage: 3,801
I LEASED A NEW MERCEDES BENZ S430 DURING DECEMBER 2004 FROM WALTER'S MB IN RIVERSIDE, CA. PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY SYSTEM (ESP) BEGAN MARCH 2005 AND ON MARCH 16, 2005 REPORTED PROBLEMS TO WALTERS MB DURING SERVICE VISIT. ON DECEMBER 9, 2005 REPORTED PROBLEM AGAIN TO WALTER'S MB DURING SERVICE VISIT. BOTH TIMES I REPORTED HOW VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BOARD LIGHTING WOULD BLINK AND BLACK OUT BUT ESP LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD TURN ON CAUSING VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN SPEED TO 15 MILES PER HOUR ON FREEWAY. DURING DECEMBER 2005 I SENT COMPLAINT LETTER TO NHTSA RECALL OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, DC. REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING AND ESP COLLATERAL PROBLEM. I INCLUDED COPY OF JUNE 2004 MERCEDES BENZ RECALL IN JAPAN OF 98,000 SCLASS VEHICLES WITH ESP PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED SAME PROBLEM EXISTED HERE IN UNITED STATES. LATER DURING FEBRUARY 2006 ESP PROBLEM RETURNED AND REPORTED PROBLEM TO WALTERS MB VEHICLE WAS SERVICED DURING FEBRUARY, MARCH
Mileage: 3,801
DT: CONTACT STATED ON 8-9-05 WAS ON A TRIP TO OREGON AND WAS GOING TO PARK THE CAR WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND HUGE BOULDERS STOPPED THE CAR. HE HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. THEY WERE FIXING THE CAR AND CHECKING TO SEE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED. HAS BEEN WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN. THEY WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE FROM MERCEDES TO CHECK IT OUT. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY EVEN AFTER THEY REPAIRED THE CAR.*AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SECOND FAILURE ON 1/3/06 . THE VEHICLE SURGED SUDDENLY AND THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A WALL. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
Mileage: 13,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.