2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 6%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,532miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430, 6% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,532 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.
“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“We had to have our car towed from inside the car wash bay because the car would not shift out of park. The neutral safety switch, which is plastic, broke prohibiting the car from shifting out of park. The tow truck driver mercedes benz roadside sent to us told us he sees this all of the time with this particular car. Also by the forums, you can see that this is a particular problem for certain years. From what I understand, the new shift box from mercedes has an aluminum safety switch or billet . We attempted to buy the new billet but our mercedes benz dealer will not sell it to us. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442782, filed 2012-01, 57,063 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10176661May 1, 20205 to 4 coasting downshift - shift quality concern with cold trans- mission oil on MODEL 217 or 222 in combination with ENGI- NE 278 and TRANSMISSION 722.9 without code 835/498
- 10165839Jul 14, 2014Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
- 10165844Jul 10, 2014Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430
20 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 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