2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 17%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430, 17% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“After 2000 miles the car was in reverse and all of a sudden there was a loud bang and then another loud bang and the car lurched forward. Then we were driving on a highway at 60 MPH and the same thing happened only the bangs were louder and the car lurched forward. The next time this happened I was driving down a street at 25 MPH and a car in front of me was making a turn, the bangs started and there was the same loud banging noises and I almost hit the car in front of me and had to swerve out of the way of the car and almost ended up off of road and in the dirt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187993, filed 2007-04, 2,000 miles“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 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz S430
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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