Electrical System Problems of Mercedes Benz S430 - part 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.

See all problems of the 2005 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz S430v. The contact stated that the electric conductor from the blower motor, that went to the fuse holder overheated and melted the fuse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v227000(electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

See all problems of the 2004 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

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 truck because it's too low it'll scratch.

See all problems of the 2001 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz S430. The contact stated that illumination of the instrument cluster was inadequate to see the gauges. Fletcher jones imports (7300 w sahara Ave, las vegas, nv 89117, (702) 364-2700) was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle warranty expired in 2012. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

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 however while entering the vehicle I noticed no lights were on the dashboard what so ever, it was taken back to local dealer to be diagnosed. Wanted to let you know that we found your instrument cluster completely shorted out. It seems to be some form of internal electrical fault. Would have to have the instrument cluster replaced. Parts and labor together is $1905. 60 to replace it. I ask about the recall on this part they said my car was not included. Vehicle has 188,xxx miles on it. Ive also had both airbags replaced within 3 months and one which experiencing the same issue that I paid them to fix which was and out of place strut or �another leak� in a practically new airbag can I please have some assistance. --colby pearce critz auto group.

Electrical/fuse/cluster panel lights are out in dash vehicle was stationary.

See all problems of the 2003 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

I have approximately 104,000 miles, I cannot see it anymore because while driving home at night from the airport on the expressway doing 65 miles per hour, it went black. All the gauges were found stuck in their location the next morning at what they were at when the cluster went black. The cluster has never recovered and I have to drive with no idea of speed, signals operation, fuel level, or water temp. The information display is also blank so I don’t know what my mileage is or if the vehicle has any other information to give me. I had to drive home 60 miles in the dark. My headlights go on all by itself whenever I start my car now. My climate control also remains lit and causes a battery drain over a period of time. I was very lucky to make it home but now I can only drive during the daytime until I can get my instrument cluster repaired. My comfort level driving this vehicle has diminished greatly, this vehicle is my family vehicle, does Mercedes Benz not care anymore. If one of their family members were to perish in an accident as a result of this problem I’m pretty sure they would immediately find a solution to fix it.

Instrument cluster is not working. Only 20,000 miles since owning the car since 1999. The recall for similiar car with same issues but they said not this car.

See all problems of the 2000 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

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.

Tl-tl- the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz. The contact stated while at a intersection the vehicle caught on fire. No lights illuimanted. The vehicle was towed to j&m auto repair 5200 hull street rd richmond va 23224 2042328774. The vehicle was destroyed . No one was injured during the fire, the fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Failure mileage was 320,000.

Instrument lights went out, can't see speed or other dash information such as fuel. Rear suspension looses air, car sits to low to drive, body sits on rear tires. Happened while driving city street, tires smoked and are pitted.

I drove my work to work which is one kilometer away. After dropping, I parked for 5 minutes. When I tried to start, it won't start. After few minutes, I tried to start and it did. After a few yards, the car stopped in the road. I called the towing company and brought the car to the repair shop. The battery was changed but when they started, they just heard a sound of not going thru. They diagnosed the car and they changed the crank censorcss 825. I drove the car back home.

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 to get out of the road. Thanks.

The contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz S430. While starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster did not illuminate and the screen was dark. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 175,000.

The battery located in the trunk of the vehicle is situated next to the gas tank. There are no covers on the metal parts on the top of the battery located in the trunk of the vehicle, and the mat that comes with the vehicle does not sufficiently cover these metal poles, leaving them vulnerable to catch flame when metal items are in the back of the vehicle. The rear battery caught flame, while stationary, due to a metal rod used for furniture assembly touching the exposed portion of the battery.

While driving on 12/10/2016, the instrument cluster panel went very dark. At night there was no illumination either. Also the speedometer was fluctuating wildly from high to low and back. I could only see this with my interior light on, as the dash panel was dark. I realized I could not read any of the other the gauges including the safety warning display panel, nor did the turn signals inside the vehicle work or the volume control on the steering wheel. The vehicle was in motion at the time. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting). On 12/15/16 the manufacturer was notified of my failure. The manufacturer informed me that it was not a recall but a "voluntary extended warranty issue". The manufacturer explained to me that my car was part of it, but I was "out of time" with my request for repair or replacement. At the time the car had approximately 195,000 on it. This is the 5th mercedes I have owned, reading from the blogs this is a very common problem, hence the NHTSA involvement. Mine is a documented failed case under mercedes recognized program, but they fail to follow-up with their extended warranty coverage because it is out of time. Whether it is in time or out of time a safety failure is a safety failure. One would think that a company like Mercedes Benz would want to keep alive a 5 time owner of mercedes and put brand loyalty over profit. I have three children now entering their car owning years. They have grown up with mercedes but I guess it is now time to show them another car brand so they can be a customer for life to another automobile company, one that will place their life ahead of the profit on an instrument cluster. I ask the NHTSA to force mercedes to recall these safety prone cars such they cannot hide behind their "out of time" excuse.

Do not buy these spec-d headlamp for 2006 s-430 after 6 months it went defective I bought them from carid in November 2015 June/July 2016 they went completely dead see picture below.

See all problems of the 2006 Mercedes Benz S430 🔎.

The contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz S430. While driving 25 mph, the instrument cluster became inoperable and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000. The VIN was unavailable.

While driving during daylight hours on Friday, 6/17/2016, I noticed the instrument cluster panel was very dark. The car was not driven again until dusk, on Saturday, 6/18/2016 and I realized all of the instrument panel lights were out, the gauges were not working nor did the turn signals inside the vehicle or the automatic locks, work or the volume control on the steering wheel. The vehicle was in motion at the time of this discovery.

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.

My instrument control panel backlighting experienced an electrical malfunction resulting in the failure to illuminate the gauges. The condition was diagnosed by my independent mechanic on 06/06/16. In doing so he informed me of recall campaign number 06v-028. I was told that the remedy is for the manufacturer to replace the cluster module free of charge and that I would need to call Mercedes Benz corporate to schedule a replacement. I called mercedes and spoke with eric at ext 7806 without any satisfaction at all. As a matter of fact, he discouraged me from escalating my call to his boss for 10 minutes before I became irate and demanded to speak with a manager. At that point I spoke with case manager joe from ext 6299. I was told that it was corporate policy to not give out their last names. After lenghtly verbal sparring that didn't amount to any satisfaction, I was told the campaign expired in 2013. Joe said he could offer me some assistance if I wanted to purchase a new mercedes. (seriously?) I then called the us department of transportation national highway traffic safety administration and got a different campaign assessment. I was told that the campaign expired 10 years from the ruling date of 2006. In this case, that would mean the campaign would end in 2016. With that said, I have no idea where the 2013 expiration date came from. With that being said, I feel the need to make this complaint in hopes of getting to the bottom of this conflicting information. I was told that I should take it to a mb dealership for diagnosis at my cost, followed by a replacement at my cost as well. Customer service was very curt and didn't attempt to care about my plight not even slightly. I'm taking this measure as I cant afford to incur this cost from a mb dealership. Btw, the car was in motion on a highway during a long trip when this occurred. Very frightening!.

This vehicle often drops lower, while in motion. This is hazardous! I have had this airmatic air suspension system repaired three times on this vehicle within the last three years, and it appears this is one problem that Mercedes Benz refuses to correct. In my last S430, I had the same issue, and had to pay huge amounts to fix the problems. I feel no one is doing anything to get Mercedes Benz to fix this ongoing safety issue. I will like NHTSA to get Mercedes Benz to take responsibility for these ongoing defects.

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz S430. While driving approximately 60 mph, the lights in the instrument cluster suddenly shut off and the driver had difficulty reading the instrument gauges. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the instrument panel flickered and then failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that the instrument panel became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz S430. While driving approximately 55 mph, the instrument panel became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Instrument cluster flicker when stopped at light.

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, there was a burning odor coming from the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.

The instrument panel (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauges, etc) light went completely out. I cannot see how fast I'm going, how hot my engine is running, how much fuel I have left, etc. My make and model of car was known to have defective instrument panel lighting (under mercedes recall campaign 2006080004) but mercedes refuses to honor the recall campaign and wants $2000 to fix this defective instrument panel.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the stop warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the stop warning light also said that the vehicle was too low to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000 . Sa.

The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that the hvac heater and the air conditioner activated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the blower motor fuse holder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

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.

Started vehicle in my driveway, shifted into drive and instrument cluster goes dark. No power mirrors, seats, no radio, no air.

Started car in my driveway, dash goes dark. No power windows, locks, radio, air, seats.

In reference to campaign 06v028000 what is the basis for exclusion of some cars of the same year vs others? just because the 7 cars that were part of the orginal complaint fall in the narrowly defined VIN range does not mean other cars of the same model and year do not have the same problem. The defective clusters are the same. I have a 2000 S430 with a failed cluster. I have the same problem with the same part for the same model and year that other cars are being repaired for free, but my car is excluded because its VIN range is statistically not in the same narrow VIN range corresponding to the original complaint? this seems very exclusionary given my car is the same model and year and the part is the same and there is no basis to exclude it. I am requesting NHTSA to widen the recall range to be fair to all owners of the same model and year where some are being recalled and some not. If the failed clusters were from different manufaturers that would be one thing, but to exclude cars due to VIN range corresponding to the original 7 cars as part of the complaint is very lop sided. I request you to please widen the recall. My VIN ending range is a0717.