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NHTSA — Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel Problems

2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 (Page 1 of 2)

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,582 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Nov 182016

S430

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 11/18/16 I was driving my 2000 S430 when wile accelerating to merge onto the freeway my transmission slipped causing my engine to rev. I released the gas pedal & tried to press it again to re engage the transmission but it didn't work. I pulled to the side of the road, placed the car in park, then back to drive. I cautiously drove back home & parked the car until I was able to get a shop appointment. On 11/21/16 I took the car to the shop, they said the fluid was full but the transmission was slipping & needed to be replaced? so I took it home to think, (no problems while driving home). On 11/22/16 I drove the car out of town & after about 20 miles my cluster gauge started flickering then went out. However, the blinkers still worked along with the hazards. So when I was done with my appointment I checked my fuses & replaced the ones indicated on the chart. While a small portion of the lights came back on it was briefly & then everything went out, blinkers & all. So in all my frustration, I've parked the car & am attempting to get help. I found there were recalls on the gauges but not my VIN" is this somehow connected to my transmission" please help.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #23

May 112009

S430

  • miles
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430. The contact stated that the instrument cluster malfunctioned and the gauges failed to work due to the intermittent failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V028000 (interior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #22

Jan 012015

S430

  • miles
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430L (na). The contact stated that the instrument panel was not illuminated while the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #21

Jul 092013

S430 8-cyl

  • 94,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Instrument cluster on dash goes blank/dark, causing dangerous driving at night due to loss of speedometer, gas gauge, temperature, and all other gauges on dash.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #20

May 012011

S430 8-cyl

  • 137,437 miles
My 2000 Mercedes S500 cluster back lighting is going in and out also speedometer I saw that there is a recall for my car concerning the problem. I contacted the dealer and went in on May 28 to see them penske Mercedes(626) 859-1200, I was inform that the extended warranty expired (recall). So I called the mercedes1-800-367-6372 ([xxx], case manager) number they informed me the same I was covered but expired. So I called NHTSA 1800 number they informed me that I would still be covered because the recall took place in 2006 and it is 10 years before it expires so until 2016. So I will appreciate some help concerning my problem. V.I, N [xxx] NHTSA campaign id number 06V028000. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #19

Apr 152011

S430

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S-500. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph when the instrument panel gauges became inoperable. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 06V028000 (interior lighting) but the contacts VIN was not included. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Springfield Gardens, NY, USA

problem #18

Dec 102010

S430

  • 33,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This complaint is related to campaign no 2006080004, septemeber 2006 for Mercedes S500 (model 220), model year 2000. The instrument cluster has completely failed with complete loss of illumination, speedometer, and fuel gauge. My chassis end number is A123394 and this does not fall within the narrow serial number range within the original recal campaign. I understand all parts are the same as those recalled and and requesting that the serial number range be widened.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #17

May 232010

S430

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430.the contact stated the instrument panel failed. She stated that when the door was ajar and the interior light was illuminated, she could not see the instrument panel at all. The dealer stated he was unable to make repairs but did not give an explanation as to why. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #16

Mar 152010

S430

  • 134,500 miles
Instrument cluster went dark while driving my 2000 Mercedes S500

- Aptos, CA, USA

problem #15

Mar 272008

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,200 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz S430. While driving 55 mph, the instrument panel lights suddenly began flashing on and off. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The contact discovered a recall for the defect; however, the VIN was not included. The contact believes that his vehicle should be included in the recall and repaired. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 54,200.

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #14

Feb 162008

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On February 16, 2008 the dash lights went out while driving at night, instead dash read something like cluster failure with a lightning bolt in the center. There were no turn signals either inside or outside when the lever was pushed. When I shut off the car the dash read 1 malfunction. I have noticed it working again, however not sure when it will go out again. I brought this up while at the dealership for service. They said there is a recall, but my VIN is out of range.

- Winsted, CT, USA

problem #13

Apr 222007

S430 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,989 miles
The instrument cluster containing the speedometer, gauges for gas, etc. Went off and the steering column moved down almost touching my legs because of an electrical malfunction on my Mercedes S class 2000 model. I had it checked out and have a printout dated 4/22-07 that shows that the failure occurred. I had received a recall number 06V028000 from Mercedes and alerted to the problem and an extended warranty to cover the cost of repair of the problem. The local dealer would not honor that printout and said that it had to happen again and show up on their computer in order to fix the problem. This is dangerous and I could be 500 miles more or less from this dealership when it happens again. You cannot see anything on the instrument panel. I could not tell how fast I was going, how much fuel I had in the vehicle, etc. When a recall is issued, I thought it was mandatory that the problem be fixed.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #12

Oct 142005

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,600 miles
Attn: Ali motamedamin, safety defect investigator/inspector NHTSA campaign#: 06V-028. On approximately October 14, 2005 while driving my Mercedes Benz 2000 S430 on interstate 285 in atlanta, ga., the dashboard digital instruments totally failed and I was unable to read any gauges and indicators while vehicle was in motion at approx. 65 mph. I immediately contacted and scheduled an appointment with Mercedes Benz of South atlanta who determined it to be instrument cluster being inoperable and I was charged for replacement on October 19, 2005. Recently I was made aware of the recall, nhsta campaign#:06V-028 and when I contacted Mercedes Benz customer relations on November 27, 2006, I was told that my VIN#/vmi was out of the scope of the recall. At which time I expressed that recall part 573 and circumstances of failure applied to my make and model vehicle and I had documented Mercedes Benz service repair invoice supporting that fact. I was informed that my complaint/concern would be documented but no action/reimbursement would be taken and if I elected, I could address my complaint via mail to ernst leib, president of mbusa but he could not provide me with any other point of contact regarding recall matter and the conversation was concluded.

- East Point, GA, USA

problem #11

Jul 152006

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,200 miles
2000 Mercedes Benz S-430 instrument cluster complete failure.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 082005

S430

  • miles
The instrument cluster on my car went blank making it impossible to read any of the gauges at night. It is very unsafe.

- South Portland, ME, USA

problem #9

Jul 062006

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,424 miles
Instrument cluster not working, blacked out.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #8

Oct 052006

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer for regular maintenance, who determined the instrument cluster had failed. The dealer expressed this was a common problem with many vehicles under a recall but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the vehicle was not under a recall. The contact found recalls #06V028000 about the interior lighting affecting the instrument cluster. The vehicle had not been repaired.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #7

Sep 252006

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
: the contact stated the instrument panel lights went out and came back on unexpectedly without warning. Eventually the lights stopped working at all. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06V028000, regarding the interior lighting. The dealership informed the contact they were not sure which VIN numbers would be included in the recall.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #6

Aug 012006

S430

  • miles
: the contact stated the vehicle's instrument panel illuminated intermittently. There was a NHTSA recall# 06V028000, regarding the interior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #5

Aug 172006

S430 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,123 miles
: the contact stated without warning the dashboard lights failed to illuminate. The dealership determined the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06V028000, regarding the interior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

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