2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 26%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,556miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430, 26% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,556 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air suspension problems. Driving down the road and front end of my car drops and wheels start to touch car body, cant turn the wheels either (only slightly) the fender gets on the way, car is too low. I pulled over in a little bit car raised up to normal position. Happened more that few times. Sometimes it doesn't rises all the way up to normal. Air strut, air pump, valve box or relay failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10565723, filed 2014-02, 94,000 miles“I purchased my vehicle new in 2002. It has about 48500 miles. I work close to home. I have already replaced the suspension air bags once and my vehicle is dropping again. I have read that this is a common problem with my vehicle year, make and model. What can I do? My vehicle is very well taken care of and I find it outrageous that mercedes benz being fully aware of this issue, refuses to take responsibility. Especially with the original price of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10854936, filed 2016-04, 48,500 miles“The gear shifter had locked initially out of the blue, I couldn't get the car out of drive. I turned it off to stop it and then it wouldn't go into park. After the mercedes tech came out it wouldn't start at all. The tech said it was most likely a safety feature which had kicked in. Then the whole right side went down. I am told the airmatic suspension went out. Why? The car said stop airmatic to low. I have never had any problems which may have lead up to these issues. Unfortunately I can not afford the $2,000 to repair this issue with the airmatic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10458206, filed 2012-05, 80,000 miles“Second airmatic breakdown. First was front side last july 2012. Second breakdown august 28, 2013 rear pump left side. This problem is getting real expensive. Do all mercedes do this?”
NHTSA complaint #10541709, filed 2013-09, 200,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz S430. The contact stated that when driving at night, the interior, the interior, and the instrument panel failed to illuminate. In addition, the contact stated that the airmatic shocks dropped causing the vehicle to become low and difficult to turn the wheels. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10633719, filed 2014-09, 185,000 milesSuspension: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430
20 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology