2003 Mercedes-Benz S430 vs 2003 Toyota Avalon
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Mercedes-Benz S430 | 2003 Toyota Avalon |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 26 | 293 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 38 | 110 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 49 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18 | 22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 93,835 mi | 85,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz S430 | Toyota Avalon |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 | 184 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 51 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 18 |
| Steering | 1 | 19 |
| Suspension | 4 | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0 | 11 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 6 |
| Engine | 2 | 7 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 27 |
| Stalling | 0 | 9 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 7 |
2003 Mercedes-Benz S430
2003 Toyota Avalon
Compare all Mercedes-Benz S430 vs Toyota Avalon years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.