1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and other or unknown (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 38%
- Engine cooling3 38%
- Other or unknown3 38%
- Engine2 25%
- Air bags1 13%
- Brakes1 13%
- Seat belts1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
- Suspension1 13%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Stalling, abrupt engine failure, fail to or delayed start: frequency - 6 times per year, no warning. 1/yr - fail to start and delayed starting for several minutes; 5/yr engine stopped/ stalled while operating at speeds from 35 to 65 MPH. 1. During the delayed started there was no engine noise, I.e. No generator/turnover occurred, even dash lights failed to light; then started - no error message nor check engine appeared. 2. During the stalls at speed in gear, the engine died with no warning and eventually started again with repeated key-turns. Multiple incidents of engine failure since 2008. …”
NHTSA complaint #10934426, filed 2016-12, 135,000 milesEngine cooling: “My wife was driving the 1998 mercedes E430 at 65 MPH on a two lane frontage road along I-4 in lakeland florida on august 7, 2005. The road had curves and stop signs. Without any warning or check engine lights, the vehicle lost power steering and anti-lock power brakes. My wife ran through a stop sign and into a field before regaining control, although limited, of the vehicle. The harmonic damper had disintegrated taking out the whole front of the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10152252, filed 2006-03, 54,878 milesOther or unknown: “Our phone/radio is not working properly. Mercedes says there is no replacement (they no longer stock the part). I thought that manufacturers had to stock replacement parts for so many years. Our car is a 1998 model. I consider this a safety problem because my wife can no longer get a hold of anyone by the phone in case on an emergency.”
NHTSA complaint #10014159, filed 2003-04, 90,000 milesEngine: “4.11.15//1233hrs (mt) -- 1998 mercedes benz E430 stalling, engine failure problem: multiple incidents (more than 15 in 7 years) of engine failure since 2008. Without warning or any sign of a problem, the engine completely shuts off. This occurs: while starting - no response , while stopped, driving at surface street and highway speeds, turning at low speeds and even backing up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10705113, filed 2015-04, 120,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 135,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186142Dec 9, 2020Electrical system. Unmotivated Reaction from Park Assist - model series 213 facelift / 238 facelift with option code 235 (active par- king assist) and option code 501 (surround view system)
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020Electronic stability control, Brakes. If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10179951Jul 20, 2020Electrical system. AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster
- 10151959Jul 23, 2018Seat belts. Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10151948Jul 19, 2018Electronic stability control, Suspension. Display of suspension setting in head unit implausible
- 10151924Jul 2, 2018Body and structure. Liftgate intermittently does not open fully
- 10235972Apr 4, 2016Equipment. Enclosed for your information and pursuant to part 579.5, please find our latest Service and Warranty Bulletins for March, 2016
- 10135598Mar 25, 2015Engine. Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E430
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 19 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 19 | 108,172 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 21 | 99,829 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 1998 | 8 | 120,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz E430 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E430 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 135,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.