Mercedes-benz E430 1999

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Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Front suspension coil spring ejection investigation as of 20070419

  Odi has focused this investigation on assessing the risks posed by a separated spring as (1) a road hazard and (2) the potential for vehicle control to be compromised after the front coil spring has been ejected from its intended position in the vehicle.Both risks are associated with corrosion, flexing, and fracture of the upper front suspension mounting bracket.Time-in-service failure rates are notably higher in salt belt states since corrosion is a primary contributor to the failure mode.Since a number of incidents have occurred while the vehicle was being operated, odi is skeptical that owners can always detect the subtle side to side difference in ride height and/or inspect or notice that the upper suspension bracket has been compromised by corrosion.(1) road hazard - although the (approx. 7 lb.) front suspension spring that may be ejected at highway speeds could pose a serious road hazard to pedestrians and other vehicles, the occurrence rate has been low (.03% based on 51 reported incidents occurring and an initial population of 172,781 vehicles after 9 - 12 years of use / exposure) and there are no known injuries, fatalities, or property damage reports due to an ejected spring.Also, many of the 51 incidents occurred at low speed or while the vehicle was stopped or parked.(2) vehicle control - vehicle handling and control could be affected by the fracture of the upper suspension mount and/or the associated spring ejection.Odi first identified its concern about corrosion in the upper suspension bracket of subject vehicles in 2002, at which time mercedes provided a video that showed that a vehicle could be steered, stopped, and controlled through various maneuvers at high speeds with a front coil spring completely missing from the vehicle. During pe07-021, in addition to reviewing the 2002 video-tape, odi engineers drove an exemplar vehicle with the spring removed and simulated various combinations of steering angles to assess whether there were any possible conditions / displacements in which the separated spring might interfere with the wheels. In a vehicle with the front spring removed, the top of the wheel can lightly contact the bottom area of the wheel fender during high angle turns typically associated with slower speed maneuvers such as city driving. The light tire contact generated an obvious "grinding" noise and would likely abrade or bend the edge of the fender with continued use.However, the extent of the interference was not sufficient to affect vehicle steering and does not occur at smaller turning angles associated with highway driving.Odi has not identified a safety related defect trend at this time.Further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety related defect does not exist.The agency reserves the right to take further action if future circumstances warrant.
  

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• Engine crankshaft pulley failure investigation as of 20031217

  The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.Odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all mercedes-benz vehicles using the subject component.The subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 odi complaints reference increased steering effort).There have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.See summary report attached for further detail.
  

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Common OBD Error codes specific to this vehicle.

• U1454 [1] U1454

When driving about 30-40mph entering the freeway the car will downshift, when it downshifted it lost all drive. The engine can freely rev but no movement whatsoever. Had to pull over on the freeway and put it into the park and restart the car. Also, sometimes when driving the car will be locked into 3rd gear and won't shift, there is not warning light or check engine light to tell me what is going on. 1st and 2nd gear also has harsh engagements.

When driving about 30-40mph entering the freeway the car will downshift, when it downshifted it lost all drive. The engine can freely rev but no movement whatsoever. Had to pull over on the freeway and put it into the park and restart the car. Also, sometimes when driving the car will be locked into 3rd gear and won't shift, there is not warning light or check engine light to tell me what is going on. 1st and 2nd gear also has harsh engagements.

Was driving on highway when spring came out and lost control of car put car in shop cost me 1400 for repairs someone need to help pay for it and this should be s recall.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz e430. While driving 30 mph, there was an abnormal loud noise coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed that a suspension spring fractured from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the spring coil tower fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The passenger side air bags spontaneously deployed while approaching a stop light. Have taken car to mercedes dealership and they have not been able to give me an answer as to why this occurred. They relate that they have sent pictures and information to "mercedes" and after 1 week i am only told that it could take. Longer. *tr

Safety issues: srs warning light is on. Ac blowing warm air, side power windows do not operate., front passenger seat cannot adjust-sensor fault indicated l/ valve cover breather nipple broken -replaced l/side valve cover -($1524.89). *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz e430. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and the contact noticed that the coil spring on the front driver side was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the spring perch fractured because it was not welded onto the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000. The vin was unavailable. Updated 09/30/11*lj

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercedes-benz e430. The contact was driving approximately 55 mph when the front driver side coil spring detached from the vehicle, causing him to almost loose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and the dealer was contacted who advised that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was unsuccessful in contacting the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 119,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz e430. The contact stated that the front driver side coil spring support and the coil spring fell off of the vehicle while he was driving approximately 60 mph. Because of that failure, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into someone's yard. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. He called the dealership and the service manager was of no assistance. He called the manufacturer who told him that he would be reimbursed for the coil spring repair but he had not received the reimbursement when the complaint was filed; however, the vehicle was repaired. The current mileage was approximately 101,000. The failure mileage was 99,996. Updated 03/24/10 *bf updated 06/28/10*jb

I own and drive a 1999 mercedes benz e430. It has approx. 133000 miles. The right front coil spring snapped off the car as i was driving it at approx. 35 mph. I was the only person in the car driving on route 516 old bridge, nj about 3 miles from my home. I was not injured just badly shaken up. The car has been towed to a repair shop and is at old bridge collision on englishtown road, old bridge nj. I have noted this to be a common problem and the previous complaints and investigations. Please note my complaint and advise asap. *tr

This is in regards to 1999 mercedes benz e430 concerning front spring perches. Date this incident occurred 9/22/2009. Failure to the passenger front spring perch resulting in the spring to dislocate. Fortunately, this did not occur at driving speed rather occurred in a parking lot. However, this is not the first incident unfortunately the second incident within 5 years. The first incident occurred while driving. The driver side front spring perch dislocated and the spring ejected onto the freeway and the front end dropped to the wheel. No injuries or casualties occurred. The driver side perch was repaired and a visual inspection was perform on the passenger side and no apparent damage was noted, however, now this incident happened. I believe this is a safety concern. I believe a 10 year old vehicle manufactured by a prestige automobile company should not fail in such circumstances. *tr

1999 mercedes benz e430 rh front coil spring broke from its mount during driving and jammed into the front suspension control arms. Car has 65,400 miles. No corrective action steps have happened so far. *tr

Dt*: the contact stated while parked, a loud noise was heard and the vehicle was taken to the dealership. The dealership determined the upper coil spring had rusted off. The coil springs were replaced.

1. Events leading up to the failure: on december 24, 2005, i was driving my 1999 mercedes benz e430 on interstate 95 traveling to charlotte, nc from hilton head island, sc. 2. Failure and its consequences: without any apparent cause, the rear windshield of the car completely shattered as i was driving on i-95. Shards of glass began flying out of the windshield onto the car and the road, as well as into the car. The exterior and interior of the car were damaged. 3. What was done to correct the failure: i notified my insurance company and the windshield as well as the damage to the car will be repaired. The mercedes dealership is ordering a manufacturer/oem replacement windshield. I called mercedes corporate to inquire whether this problem occurred in any other similar models and to find out the manufacturer of the glass. The mercedes representative told me that such information was proprietary and that she could not give me any of the requested information. *jb

I was driving down route 72s and suddenly my driver front side collasped. At first i thought it might of been the tire was blown, but after taking a look i saw from underneath that a spring was hanging. I had the car towed to my house and looked underneath it myself. The upper spring mount was completely rusted and was tearing away from the body of the car. This is a 1999 mercedes e430 so it is fairly a new vehicle. I did some research online and found out that there was a service recall for the front spring towers on e class models dating from 97-2000. It also is common and happens frequently. I had talk to mercedes and they told me to bring in the vehicle so they could take a look. But they are telling that there was never such a recall. So at this moment my vehicle is sitting at the dealer.*ak

The car stopped on the freeway without warning. Fortunately, it did not cause an accident because the traffic on the freeway was heavy and everyone was stuck in the traffic. Transmission, converter and radiator were damaged beyond repair and had to be replaced at 65,600 miles. The car had scheduled services at the authorized mbz dealers since it was purchased in 11/98. The most current maintenance was one on 11/28/03 at 61,290 miles. There were no warnings from the dealers about the deficiencies of the transmission. Mbz dealer could not provide any explainations as to why a new transmission was needed at 65,600 miles. I have filed a complaint with the mercedes-benz of north america and received no reply from them.

The passenger side airbag developed cracks all around and separated from the frame. This also occurred at the right hand side of the dashboard near the speaker. I am worried that the airbag will deploy unexpectedly and will create a life safety issue. I wrote several times to the mecedes-bens headquarters and not only did they deny this massive material and workmanship defect but they refused to investigate or propose a corrective measure. I am planing to take this to the media and court. This is a $55,000 four-year-old luxury car and is not expected to have cheap and defective materials. *mr

Afraid that airbag will not deploy properly because of cracks. Local dealer and regional manager refused to repair/replace. *ak

Passenger side airbag has developed cracks in the dash board that separate the air bag from the occupants. I feel the air bag may not fire properly since the dash board is cracked all the way through on 1/2 of the total area that surrounds the airbag. I brought the car to my local dealership but they did not do anything and really did not care. I also tried to reach the area dsm for mercedes but the local service manager would never patch me through. The cracks have developed through the dash board decomposing unusually quickly for a car that is a 1999 model. I have never seen a dashboard crack this badly on anything other than a 10+ year old car. I have spoken to many people that have this same problem on their mercedes e430's and have attempted to get mercedes to do something about the problem but mercedes has not even attempted to act to fix the problems. I am out of ways to get the attention of mercedes and am forced to file this complaint to the nhtsa. *nlm

Loud original bttery explosion under rear seat with dislodging of rear seat and acid spary.*ak

While driving and without a collision occurring driver's side door air bag deployed. Cause unknown. *ak three air bags deployed simultaneously. The dealer replaced the vehicle with new one. *yh