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Mercedes-Benz S430Model year report

2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
101,800miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (50% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and engine (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 101,800 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 59 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 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: “We have been receiving messages for things happening in car ( ex light out trunk won't open etc.) we have been told that it is a wiring harness problem. They are well aware of the problem in the cars but have not turned it in as a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10482773, filed 2012-10, 87,597 miles

Vehicle speed control: “The contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz S430. The contact was driving approximately 60 MPH. A sudden increase in acceleration occurred without warning. The vehicle slowed down after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the defect could possibly be transmission gear failure. Currently, the vehicle is under investigation by the manufacturers engineers. The cause of failure has not been determined at this time. The failure mileage was 113,000. Updated 04/16/10. …”

NHTSA complaint #10319045, filed 2010-03, 113,000 miles

Engine: “Engine compartment fire in 2006 S430 Mercedes-Benz ? January 16, 2014 as I accelerated to get on the road, I smelled a strange odor. I thought it was coming from a truck we passed. I opened the window & turned off the heater to clear the air in the car. In a few seconds, I closed the window and re-started the heater, which immediately filled the cabin with heavy smoke. I again stopped the heater and opened the window. The smoke cleared and smelled something burning. A few seconds later, I saw flames coming right out of the air duct grill in the hood. …”

NHTSA complaint #10562978, filed 2014-02, 131,388 miles

Suspension: “My door lock would not work, could not even manually open them from the console. Took it in to be repaired, was told that the actuator had fried and melted the unit. It was replaced and within several weeks the new actuator also fried. Was told that the computer system would shut it down but the unit continues to run even when the car was turned off! With the unit being in the trunk it's a miracle that the car did not catch on fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11006584, filed 2017-07, 91,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

13% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 113,000 miles.

13%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7538%75–10050%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 101,800 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200720092010220122201420162201720182
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 2006 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 2006 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. 59 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 59 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (50% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.

Has the 2006 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 101,800 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 113,000 miles; 13% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.