Engine
4.3L 8-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 69 of 73 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 51 of 73 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
38 complaint records3 fire reports
"INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS IN DASH INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES. SERIOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Lighting
17 complaint records
"CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD LIGHT AND THE PARKING LIGHT WILLGO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HAD BULBS REPLACED 3 TIME, .PROBLEM REOCCURED.*JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse lighting parts in the directory →
Suspension
8 complaint records1 crash report
"VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE WHEN TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND HIGHER. ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE, NOT JUST THE STEERING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05062 opened Nov 2005 | closed Feb 2006 | Interior Lighting | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE - led to recall 06V028000 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES FAILED IN THAT CONSUMERS WERE UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES WHILE... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI33.30-P-056665 Nov 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). | |
| LI33.30-P-056665 May 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). | |
| LI82.10-P-078301 Apr 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078896 Apr 2025 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI83.20-P-051802 Apr 2025 | Engine | Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant flow in the heater heat exchanger (see picture). |
Show 37 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI82.70-P-077433 Mar 2025 | Electrical System | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. | |
| LI33.30-P-056665 Jan 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). | |
| LI35.30-P-058566 Jan 2025 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. | |
| LI82.35-P-078467 Oct 2024 | Structure | Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. | |
| LI82.70-P-077433 Sep 2024 | Electrical System | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. | |
| LI82.10-P-078307 Sep 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. | |
| LI82.10-P-078301 Sep 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. | |
| LI82.10-P-078069 Jul 2024 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. | |
| LI91.18-P-077075 Dec 2023 | Seats | Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat belt buckle). | |
| LI4015P073743 Oct 2021 | Tires | Tire Pressure Sensors. | |
| LI8220P073063 Jun 2021 | Interior Lighting | Touch pad: Search lighting does not dim or does not turn on. | |
| LI54.30-P-072145 Dec 2020 | Electrical System | NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock | |
| LI27.50-P-071658 Sep 2020 | Power Train | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R | |
| LI27.50-P-049281 Sep 2020 | Power Train | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D | |
| LI27.60-P-071237 May 2020 | Power Train | 5 to 4 coasting downshift - shift quality concern with cold trans- mission oil on MODEL 217 or 222 in combination with ENGI- NE 278 and TRANSMISSION 722.9 without code 835/498 | |
| LI80.61-P-061174 Mar 2015 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened via Keyless-Go and radio remote control | |
| LI82.70-P-060004 Oct 2014 | Equipment | iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8 | |
| LI27.00-P-051451 Jul 2014 | Power Train | Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS) | |
| LI27.55-P-058976 Jul 2014 | Power Train | Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant. | |
| LI27.00-P-056643 Feb 2014 | Power Train | During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced. | |
| C1A140101 Feb 2014 | Equipment | This Customer 1 Action has been initiated because certain mbrace subscribers were recently contacted by mbrace informing them that they need to have an i-button call performed to ensure their mbrace device has registered with the Verizon Telematics systems. | |
| GI88.40-P-057430 Feb 2014 | Equipment | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" | |
| LI8270P055572 Aug 2013 | Electrical System | Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely. | |
| 40-P-052794 Apr 2012 | Seat Belts | MERCEDES BENZ: FRONT OR REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT ROLL UP CORRECTLY. DIRT DEPOSITS ON THE SEAT BELT GUIDE DUE TO SOILED SEAT BELT. ALSO INCLUDED MODELS 169, F CELL, 246, AND 231. NO MODEL YEARS GIVEN. *JS | |
| 20-P-053398 Mar 2012 | Steering | XENTRY: RATTLING/THUMPING NOISES FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD UNDULATIONS. NO MODEL YEARS GIVEN. ALSO INCLUDED MODELS 168 AND 172. *JS | |
| PB-32-22-77 May 2011 | Suspension | MERCEDES: VEHICLE DOES NOT LOWER AND/OR AIRMATIC VISIT WORKSHOP DISPLAY IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. MODEL 220. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE UPDATED 7/13/11. *PE | |
| LI32-50 Jan 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MERCEDES-BENZE: THERE IS A LEAKAGE AT THE PRESS-FIT SLEEVE OF A PULSATION DAMPER. THIS IS CAUSED BY HIGH HEAT ENTERING THE SYSTEM OR TENSION IN THE LINE. *RM | |
| TSB-42-10-109 Jun 2009 | Service Brakes | MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. | |
| 470036 May 2009 | Fuel System | MERCEDES: THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT MATCH THE ACTUAL FILL LEVEL. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A FAULT IN THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FUNCTION CHAIN: HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRICAL LINES AND THEIR CONNECTIONS, REAR SAM OR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TT UPDATED 2/23/09. | |
| 325029 Mar 2009 | Electrical System | ABC VISIT WORKSHOP DISPLAYED IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE. *TT UPDATED 5/14/09. MODELS 215, 220 AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| PB-42-45-107 Mar 2009 | Service Brakes | MERCEDES: ESP SERVICE REQUIRED DISPLAYED IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALSO INCLUDES 4MATICS, BI TURBOS AND KOMPRESSORS. MODELS 215 AND 220. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| PB-46-20-16E Feb 2009 | Steering | MERCEDES: LEAKS AT STEERING GEAR CONTROL HEAD CONNECTION TO HIGH OR LOW PRESSURE LINES OR LEAKS AT INTERNAL STEERING LINES OF CONTROL HEAD CONNECTION TO STEERING GEAR HOUSING. MODELS 171, 203, 204, 209, 211, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| TB-82-10-668 Jan 2009 | Electrical System | MERCEDES: WARNING MESSAGE RIGHT LOW BEAM- CHECK BULB; OR LEFT LOW BEAM-CHECK BULB IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE XENON BURNER MAY NOT BE IGNITED ON FIRST ATTEMPT DUE TO TOLERANCES IN IGNITION VOLTAGE. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| PB-54-18-208 Dec 2008 | Electrical System | MERCEDES: DISPLAY IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "AIR SUSPENSION" OR "ABC SERVICE REQUIRED" IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE WIPER LINKAGE. MODELS 215.3 AND 220. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE | |
| PB 82-10-630 Jul 2008 | Exterior Lighting | MERCEDES BENZ: WATER IN TAIL LAMP HOUSING ON EITHER RIGHT SIDE OR LEFT SIDE. *PE | |
| 322218B Mar 2008 | Suspension | LEAKAGE FROM FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUT THORUGH THE SEALING COMPOUND. THIS SERIVCE BULLETIN SUPERSEDES 322218 DATED 01/16/2004. *EH MERSEDES BENZ MODELS 220.170; 175, 183, 184. VIN UP TO 360985 WITHOUT ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. *EH UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE | |
| PB-32-50-35C Feb 2008 | Suspension | MERCEDES: THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION LEVEL RANDOMLY LOWERING WHILE DRIVING AND/OR RAPID SPORADIC LEVEL CHANGES SHORTLY AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, REPLACE THE BODY ACCELERATION SENSORS. MODELS 215.3, 220, AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Do a full walk-around with every light on.Condensation inside a lens, a dim side, or a flickering tail light match this vehicle's lighting cluster.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercedes-Benz S430 →