While driving airmatic strut snapped him half on the freeway. Whole car dropped and had to tow vehicle to shop. Replaced the airmatic strut and now ABS sensor came on and doesnt go away. Replaced sensor and still wont go away so now I lost cruise control, brakes weird, and lost esp control with heavy steering. Common issue on this vehicle with the airmatic suspension.

- Fresno, CA, USA

This vehicle often drops lower, while in motion. This is hazardous! I have had this airmatic air suspension system repaired three times on this vehicle within the last three years, and it appears this is one problem that Mercedes Benz refuses to correct. In my last S430, I had the same issue, and had to pay huge amounts to fix the problems. I feel no one is doing anything to get Mercedes Benz to fix this ongoing safety issue. I will like NHTSA to get Mercedes Benz to take responsibility for these ongoing defects.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

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. Now that the warranties on the vehicle have expired the dealership will not repair the above problems under warranty. I filed a complaint with Mercedes Benz usa and I'm waiting for a decision regarding the repairs totaling over $4700.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

Air suspension failed due to cracks in the top of the front struts. This lead to loss of air pressure, overload and failure of the air compressor. The vehicle is unsafe to drive as the front of the car could no longer be safely supported by the suspension.

- Brighton, MA, USA

Something called an abc pump and block has failed and car drops down on frame. Spent $3200 on the pump to drive 2 months before they want $3800 to repair the valve block. Both times the vehicle drops and is dangerous to drive. This is in addition to a baffle coming loose in the gas tank that has metal bashing metal inside the gas cell.

- Conroe, TX, USA

In 12-06 I bought a 2004 Mercedes Benz S500. Since than I took the car back the dealer more ten times the latest was 1-09 for the same reason the air matic defected orcompressure leak, pressure sensor malfunction, air matic valve block defective. Some time they found the air matic compressors w/ external leak cause the suspension to be low. In May 2008 for leak in the compressor they told me it was fixed. Again in July 2008 air matic compressor again leak. Aug 2008 they told me it relay defective the airmatic pump was stuck and the airmatic pump did not pass pnumatic test again they told me the dealer charged $821.03.jan2009 airmatic valve block defective again charged $765.89.I think some completely wrong with this car, but the dealer and the head of the Mercedes Benz do not want to hear me the car cost me alot of moneys and every other month I must find money to fixed the same thing over and over again that not fair.

- Wyandanch, NY, USA