2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 20%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class, 20% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The 2003 mercedes benz e500 has a faulty gateway module and software. This module has resulted in problems being reported in my car that the brakes, self restraint system, telephone system, and tire pressure have failed. I have no way of knowing if the the safty systems are operational or not. At this point I am driving a car that says my srs system is not working. I have been in the mercedes shop no less than 3 times to have the problem repaired. It simply re-occurs after each repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10025906, filed 2003-07, 3,800 miles“Throttle control failure causing exactly a 20 second delay before the car would actually accelerate after pressing the accelerator. This caused me to be in nearly 3 accidents, because the car did not move when I was in the middle of an intersection and pulling out of a parking spot, cars were coming, but I could not move forward, until after the 20 second acceleration delay. When I turned the car into parkplace mercedes, the invoice showed that they had to replace my ignition system as well as the throttle control system.”
NHTSA complaint #10054891, filed 2004-01, 4,003 miles“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 miles“The car has been a disappointments since I got it in january 28,2003. It has had many problems and the dealership said its fix. Autohaus mercedes benz in pompano beach , florida sold me a car that has been to the shop more than 10 times . 1)whippers very loud and don't clean. 2) fuel gauge does not work 3) tire sensors do not work 4)stereo shuts off and on 5)alignment problem car pulls to the right. 6)engine is very loud 7)engine hesitates. 8) sos malfunction 9)mercedes benz phone does not work. 10) lowjack system that they installed has not worked properly since they put it on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041141, filed 2003-10, 2,500 milesRelated recalls
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Mercedes-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…Covers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2006, SLK 2005–2009, SL Class 2003–2004, 2006, 2009 +13 more
Related service bulletins
- 10016632Apr 1, 2006The alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits.
- 10016646Mar 1, 2006Implausible or illogical messages can appear in the instrument cluster.
- 10019014Nov 1, 2005Inspect 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 10% |
| 2005 | 1 | 11% |
| 2004 | 2 | 13% |
| 2003 | 9 | 20% |
| 2002 | 3 | 38% |
| 2001 | 3 | 20% |
| 2000 | 11 | 32% |
| 1998 | 4 | 17% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 6 | 38% |
| 1995 | 15 | 71% |
| 1994 | 31 | 82% |
| 1993 | 7 | 100% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class
16 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology