2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 21,750miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by suspension (3) and brakes (1). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 21,750 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system4 36%
- Suspension3 27%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Electrical system1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “In june 2012 the car did not pass inspection and we were told we needed a new gas cap. We got a gas cap and it passed inspection. Since then we have had a strong fuel smell when the gas tank is filled completely. If we only fill the gas tank about 3/4 or less, there is no gas smell. We recently had the car serviced and the mechanic told us the gas cap needed to be replaced and a seal/cap in an overfill tank under the rear seat was loose. We replaced the gas cap again and the cap to the overfill tank was tightened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10595308, filed 2014-05, 66,000 milesSuspension: “While driving the lower ball joints on the passenger side snapped in half, causing a collision. Consumer complained to the dealer that the front end felt loose while driving. Vehicle was taken to the dealership three times. There were no injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10094705, filed 2004-09, 12,895 milesBrakes: “I was driving my 2003 mercedes e500 down a hill when the brakes completely failed. This occurred suddenly and simultaneously by dashboard lit up with warnings and admonishing to pull over and not drive. I was amazed to find out that mercedes has a 'program' for this failure but does not tell car owners about it until it occurs. I was able to stop the car with the emergency brake but I had no other braking capability.”
NHTSA complaint #10359673, filed 2010-10, 88,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
60% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 75,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10034306Jun 11, 2010Air bags. Mercedes: airbag durability and reliability. Air bag srs control module (n2/2) does not have a set shelf life and will normally be reliable for the life of a vehicle. With 164, 216 221, 251 and…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 11 | 21,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 9 | 85,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 7 | 48,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 8 | 101,116 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 6 | 140,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 23 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 15 | 99,500 | 1 | — | 11 | — | Stable |
All Mercedes-Benz 500 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by suspension with 3.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 500 reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 21,750 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 75,000 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.