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Mercedes-Benz S430Model year report

2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
78,000miles, 15 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
19 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by suspension (4) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension 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.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My instrument control panel backlighting experienced an electrical malfunction resulting in the failure to illuminate the gauges. The condition was diagnosed by my independent mechanic on 06/06/16. In doing so he informed me of recall campaign number 06v-028. I was told that the remedy is for the manufacturer to replace the cluster module free of charge and that I would need to call mercedes benz corporate to schedule a replacement. I called mercedes and spoke with eric at ext 7806 without any satisfaction at all. …”

NHTSA complaint #10874041, filed 2016-06, 90 miles

Suspension: “I purchased a certified pre-owned 2004 mercedes benz S430-4matic in march 2007, after retiring. I also brought an extended warranty costing over $3000 dollars. I have returned this vehicle to a mercedes benz dealership for repairs over approximately 27 times since purchasing the vehicle. The problems include the electrical system (door locks); trunk lid lock, suspension system, tire pressure sensors, engine and engine cooling system (air conditioning system will only dispense cold air at 55 degrees and lower) and most recently the radio and navigation system are failing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10534935, filed 2013-08, 29,066 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Car stuck on park, wont release gear due to faulty plastic safety feature that cracks over time due to inferior material. Have to replace whole gear box or remove safety pin which can cause an accident since lever will shift whitout pressing brake or ignition on.”

NHTSA complaint #10966174, filed 2017-03, 98,000 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz S430. The dealer stated that rain water has been leaking into the front of the vehicle, which caused electrical and computer failures. A leak is present underneath the hood and water is accumulating near the floor mat. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the contact would be responsible for the repairs. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10274593, filed 2009-06, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

7%0–100%10–2513%25–5027%50–7520%75–10013%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 78,000 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.

201020122015420172022
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 2004 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-cyl7-speed automatic162419$4,350
S430 4matic 4WD/AWD4.3L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152117$4,850

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 2004 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. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by suspension with 4.

Has the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 (S430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 100,000 miles; 20% 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.