Model year record
2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 recalls & problems
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 31 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (20 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
S430
| City / highway | 15 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel | 20 | 111,500 mi |
| Suspension | 8 | 97,556 mi |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 136,504 mi |
| Power train | 2 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
| Interior lighting | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Interior lighting
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.
- Electrical system
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…
- Electronic stability control (esc)
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.
- Electrical systemFire
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.
- Electrical system
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…
- Electrical system
TL* 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.
- Electrical system
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
- Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,500.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.