Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
19 reports
179,000 miles · Aug 13, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED ACID TO SPILL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE EXPLOSION. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL BATTERY. THE FAILURE AND C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED ACID TO SPILL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE EXPLOSION. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL BATTERY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 179,000.
NHTSA ODI #10199423
88,235 miles · Aug 5, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
NON-DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS IN AN ACCIDENT, MY WIFE SUFFERED A BACK INJURY, NOTHING DONE YET. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10198569
64,000 miles · Feb 4, 2006
Visibility
RUBBER SEAL AROUND FRONT WINDSHIELD IS DETERIORATING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149416
88,048 miles · Nov 12, 2005
Unknown Or Other
A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID FROM A CUP SITTING IN THE CUP HOLDER SPILLED INTO THE GEARBOX AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE, WOULDN'T SHIFT OR ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MB DEALER. THE CAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE OVER $600.00…
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A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID FROM A CUP SITTING IN THE CUP HOLDER SPILLED INTO THE GEARBOX AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE, WOULDN'T SHIFT OR ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MB DEALER. THE CAR WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE OVER $600.00 WAS SPENT TO GET A BRAND NEW GEARBOX INSTALLED FOR THE CAR TO BE FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID ALL IT TOOK WAS "LESS THAN A TEASPOON OF LIQUID" TO DROP INTO THAT AREA TO CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL AND IT WAS VERY COMMON--THAT HE'D SEEN IT A LOT ON THESE CARS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142522
37,000 miles · Nov 3, 2003
TiresWheels
CONSUMER HAS HAD 5 TIRE BLOWOUTS IN 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 5 TIRE BLOW OUTS WITHIN 2 YEARS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT TWO OF THE RIMS WERE BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT. *NLM *CB
NHTSA ODI #10038481
31,000 miles · Jul 3, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HAD A AUTO ACCIDENT AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF. I HAD A SIDE IMPACT (PASSENGER SIDE) FIRST AND WAS DRIVEN HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE FORCE OF THE ACCIDENT BROKE THE POLE. MY FACE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND MY CHEST WAS IMPACTED BY THE STEERING WHEEL. WINDSHIELD BROKE, GLASS WAS IMBEDDED IN MY FOREHEAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025341
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Exterior Lighting
THE ZENON HEADLIGHTS ARE BLINDING ALSO FOR THE DRIVER OF THE CAR EQUIPPED WITH THEM. THE REFLECTION ON OBJECTS AND SIGNS IS ANNOYING , BLINDING AND A NUISANCE.THEY ALSO TIRE THE EYES MUCH MORE. I AM 52. I KNOW YOU HAVE A STUDY ON THIS AND WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE THIS, AS A DRIVER AND OF COURSE ALSO AS AD DRIVER FACING CARS EQUIPPED…
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THE ZENON HEADLIGHTS ARE BLINDING ALSO FOR THE DRIVER OF THE CAR EQUIPPED WITH THEM. THE REFLECTION ON OBJECTS AND SIGNS IS ANNOYING , BLINDING AND A NUISANCE.THEY ALSO TIRE THE EYES MUCH MORE. I AM 52. I KNOW YOU HAVE A STUDY ON THIS AND WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE THIS, AS A DRIVER AND OF COURSE ALSO AS AD DRIVER FACING CARS EQUIPPED WITH THEM. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765524
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 17000 MILES BECAUSE THEY WERE SQUEAKING , THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SOFT BRAKE PADS VERSUS THE PREVIOUS E420 MODEL WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH HARD PADS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER VISIT ANY AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE PERFO…
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THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 17000 MILES BECAUSE THEY WERE SQUEAKING , THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SOFT BRAKE PADS VERSUS THE PREVIOUS E420 MODEL WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH HARD PADS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER VISIT ANY AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS BRAKING SYSTEM EVALUATED BY A TRAINED TECHINCIAN. NLM
NHTSA ODI #566736
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2001
Unknown Or Other
THE CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE THE LCD INFORMATIONAL DISPLAYS ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE CONSUMER WEARS POLARIZED SUNGLASSES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LCD'S (WHICH ARE POLARIZED) HAVE THEIR AXIS OF POLARIZATION SUCH THAT THEY CANNOT BE SEEN WHEN WEARING POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. NLM
NHTSA ODI #559744
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Mercedes Benz E430 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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