2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 108,172miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 108,172 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 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.
- Air bags5 26%
- Electrical system3 16%
- Other or unknown2 11%
- Suspension2 11%
- Brakes1 5.3%
- Equipment1 5.3%
- Exterior lighting1 5.3%
- Seat belts1 5.3%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Spontaneous airbag explosion while I am on the freeway on the passengers side only on a sunny day without significant traffic without a vehicular accident and a smooth road and occurred on 10 october 2018 and I was traveling on the slower lane about 60 miles per hour on the santa paula freeway from ventura ca going east”
NHTSA complaint #11140773, filed 2018-10, 293,403 milesElectrical system: “As I was driving the car, all of the dashboard instrument cluster lights went out. I could no longer get a reading on the speed I was driving, the gas level, etc. Or anything else. Additionally, the brake lights and the turn signal lights went out. I was lucky that this happened during the day as there was still daylight. Had it happened at night, this would have been a major problem as I was more than 45 minutes from home. I understand there was a recall of certain 2000 s430 vehicles due to this cluster light malfunction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10644169, filed 2014-10, 63,430 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “2000 E430 sport. No need to press the brake to move the shift gear or to remove the key while the car is off. The shift fear moves freely from park to drive while the vehicle is off.”
NHTSA complaint #10360403, filed 2010-10, 111,343 milesOther or unknown: “Petition for investigation into design defect of the cup holder on the 2000 E430 mercedes benz, cup holder located over shifting mechanism, coffee spilled and shut down entire electrical system. The consumer was traveling in the middle lane of traffic when the liquid spilled. The car jerked and slowed down. The consumer was able to maneuver the vehicle to an entrance of a shopping center. The consumer paid $905.27 to repair the problem and feels that the cost should be absorbed by the manufacturer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10141055, filed 2005-10, 41,085 milesMileage when problems were reported
8% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,430 and 135,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E430 RWD | 4.3L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| E430 4Matic 4WD/AWD | 4.3L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2000 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. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and 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…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Electrical 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…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Exterior 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…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Exterior 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…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Exterior 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…
- 10248162Dec 4, 2023Seats. 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…
- 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
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 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2000 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.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 get?
The EPA rates the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 (E430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 108,172 miles and the middle half falls between 63,430 and 135,000 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.