2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%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 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class, 9% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,500 miles.
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.
“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 miles“The purge value for the emission control system, makes a tapping noise in the engine at idle, as if the car is low on oil. When I took this in to the dealership to see what the tapping noise was, they explained that a loud metal tapping noise was normal on the mercedes. They stated they would put a new purge value in the car to see if that would quite the loud noise in the engine. Upon doing so, the car began jerking back and forth violently when attempting to accelerate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054897, filed 2004-01, 7,237 miles“My 2003 e 320 has been in the shop 3 times because when I come to a stop at times it will suddenly shut off and all the lights on the instrument cluster will light up. The problem is intermittent and the vehicle has 19,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10038749, filed 2003-09Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 7% |
| 2003 | 4 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 20% |
| 2000 | 7 | 21% |
| 1998 | 4 | 17% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1996 | 3 | 19% |
| 1995 | 5 | 24% |
| 1994 | 6 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class
16 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 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 31, 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