2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class Problems
- Complaints
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 9,718miles, 34 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class. The part named most often is brakes, with 16 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system (11) and electrical system (9). 34 of the complaints include a mileage, and 74% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 9,718 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Brakes16 36%
- Fuel system11 24%
- Electrical system9 20%
- Engine cooling4 8.9%
- Equipment4 8.9%
- Vehicle speed control4 8.9%
- Suspension3 6.7%
- Air bags2 4.4%
- Exterior lighting2 4.4%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Seat belts (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “I started smelling gas in the car cabin. There was gas on my driveway as well. The gas sign started to flash on my dash and the check engine light came on. Went to the dealership and they said there was a major leak in the purge system. They quoted me $3066.88. They should take responsibility and not pass it on to me.”
NHTSA complaint #10556255, filed 2013-12, 88,900 milesFuel system: “Each time I fill up the gas tank to capacity, the fuel tank emits vapors. It seemed somewhat tolerable in the past, though this past week, it was enough to go through walls and up 2 stories. It's past tolerable and just downright unacceptable now. I know I'm not the only owner to have this problem. Frankly I'm amazed a company with the pedigree of mercedes benz has allowed this to go unsolved across the market.”
NHTSA complaint #10476883, filed 2012-09, 210,000 milesElectrical system: “Electrical systems malfunctions. Service dept advised me that mercedes is aware of the issues (plural) but they have yet to reach a 'fix'. I have had my e500 for 7 months. I am suspecting that the fix may be impractical as was the case with the navigation software that could not be integrated - forcing mercedes to buy back their cars. I believe we are all getting false promises from Mercedes-Benz on any proposed fixes with the electrical bugs too.”
NHTSA complaint #10039260, filed 2003-09, 17 milesEngine cooling: “I own a 2003 e-class mercedes benz purchased this year from ralley motors, roslyn, new york. Since I took the title to the vehicle, there has been uncontrolled mild acceleration at low speeds, the car bucks and shakes upon de-acceleration resulting in my having lost control of the vehicle and consequently requiring my jamming abruptly on the brakes to avoid hitting another vehicles and pedestrians. In addition, the car had significantly steered to the right at all times, requiring my constantly having to steer to the left in order to drive straight ahead. …”
NHTSA complaint #10047007, filed 2003-12, 500 milesMileage when problems were reported
74% of the 34 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,288 and 53,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Electrical systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2006, SLK 2005–2009, SL Class 2003–2004, 2006, 2009 +13 more
Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class…
- 05V133000Apr 1, 2005Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2005, SL Class 2003–2005, CLS Class 2006
On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
- 04V296000Jun 22, 2004Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2005, SL Class 2003–2004
On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will…
- 03V289000Aug 7, 2003SteeringCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the nut on the bolt which connects the steering gear to the steering coupling may not be tightened correctly.
Recall details for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class → · Check a 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. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10136029Jun 20, 2014Equipment. SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
- 10030964Jun 5, 2009Brakes, Other or unknown. Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. The sbc…
- 10015377Jun 4, 2008Exterior lighting. Revised repair procedure and additional applicable models. Model 170, 202, 208 and 210 models. Front fog lamp(s) inoperative. Mercedes-benz. *tt model years: 1994-2004. Updated 09/09/08.
- 10025554Mar 1, 2008Fuel system, Other or unknown. Mercedes benz service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Check fuel filter module assembly and repair or replace if necessary. Models 211 and 219 amg. Model years 2003-2006. Csc…
- 10020183Jul 1, 2006Transmission and drivetrain. Dirt can collect in the rear sleeves on the front axle carrier. Clean sleeves on front axle carrier and install new bolts and washers.
- 10016632Apr 1, 2006Electrical system. The alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits.
- 10016646Mar 1, 2006Electrical system. Implausible or illogical messages can appear in the instrument cluster.
- 10019493Feb 1, 2006Body and structure. The remote trunk closing control unit may not be sufficiently durable and may result in the need to open and close the trunk manually. Replace remote trunk closing control unit.
- 10019128Jan 10, 2006Suspension. Steering wheel twitch during brake application. Various models including mercedes benz 2006 model 230.
- 10019014Nov 1, 2005Electrical system. Inspect rear sam control module, replace if necessary. A fault in the rear single acquisition and actuation module (rear sam) may under some circumstances cause the fuel gauge to no longer register…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 38,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 10 | 65,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 9 | 64,410 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 15 | 5,450 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 45 | 9,718 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 8 | 44,716 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 15 | 69,300 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 34 | 78,800 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 13 | 99,059 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 24 | 98,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 38 | 90,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 16 | 125,250 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 21 | 170,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 38 | 111,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 7 | 72,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz E Class model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 16 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system with 11.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class reported?
Among the 34 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 9,718 miles and the middle half falls between 3,288 and 53,000 miles; 74% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.