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Mercedes-Benz S430Model year report

2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
133,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430. The part named most often is electrical system, with 14 complaints (61% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (5) and suspension (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 133,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 21 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting 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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I was driving on the freeway at 60 when I noticed that my dashboard is dark and I can't see how fast I was going. Then after a while, the light went on again. And this on and off incidents happens every day from the first day.”

NHTSA complaint #10715126, filed 2015-05, 136,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “Dash lights go out losing speedometer and all instrument aids such as lights high & low, turning signals, and air bag just to mention a few. The dash panel cluster controls so many functions that control of the vehicle becomes dangerous especially at night. Manufacture has treated problem as a warranty issue but it should be recalled before someone gets hurt.”

NHTSA complaint #10525737, filed 2013-07, 95,000 miles

Suspension: “Message in display airmatic visit workshop. Diagnosed automatic strut leak. Replaced strut assembly left rear & valve block suspension valve. I still hear air leaking. I've replaces all four air struts over the years. The struts are not cheap. In my opinion mercedes mfg should reimburse me total cost for all four. I'm sure you agree!”

NHTSA complaint #10984756, filed 2017-05, 215,180 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz S430. The contact stated in 2005, the vehicle was repaired under a customer satisfaction campaign issued by the manufacturer which was related to the lower door strip seal. The contact stated the lower bottom edge of all four doors was completely covered with rust. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 93,264.”

NHTSA complaint #10445641, filed 2012-01, 93,264 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

16% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 93,000 and 150,000 miles.

5%0–105%10–255%25–505%50–7526%75–10026%100–15026%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 133,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

201220145201620182022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S430 RWD4.3L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152218$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 S430 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. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 21 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S430

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200612101,8000—19—Not enough data
200511100,0000—19—Not enough data
20041878,0000—19—Falling
20032693,8350—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200231111,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20017390,5000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200023133,0000—18—Falling

All Mercedes-Benz S430 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 14 complaints (61% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 5.

Has the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 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 S430 get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 (S430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 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 S430 reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 133,000 miles and the middle half falls between 93,000 and 150,000 miles; 16% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.