2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 214 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320, 9% of the 214 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle presented with red light indicating to take vehicle to workshop in red. Braking was extremely difficult, srs system stalled the vehicle, emergency mode was activited,we were unable, at first to turn on the ignition switch. The vehicle operated as if it was paralyzed. We finally got the vehicle to run and turned vehicle into mb dealership. We were informed that the sbc unit was in need of replacement, we were beset with 1,800.00 repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10721468, filed 2015-05, 125,000 miles“E 320 mercedes 2003 car front passenger airbag srs light on dashboard appeared about 2 years ago. I took it to mercedes dealer and was told that it would cost me $1,000 to assess and correct problem. Airbags have never been deployed and have never been used. I never fixed this problem because I think it is a defect and should fall under mercedes care. This is of concern since if I am in an accident and airbags deploy my passenger may be critically hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #10373617, filed 2010-12, 95,000 miles“This vehicle is equipped with sensotronic brake control that has a service threshold. When this threshold is reached the brake system defaults to non power assisted hydraulic mode to the front wheels only. This occurs without any prior warning and results in increased stopping distance. I do believe that this issue is relayed in the mercedes service bulletin s142.46-p-0012a which addresses this issue. Mercedes stopped installing this system in 2006.I purchased the vehicle in december of 2007 as a used vehicle with aprox. 40,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10706233, filed 2015-04, 85,000 miles“While traveling on i94 thru north dakota my srs warning light came on. A message on the dash board told me to visit a repair shop as soon as possible. About 10 minutes later the light went out. The light came on again while slowing to exit the interstate highway for a fuel stop. Upon restarting the engine everything was normal. About 30 minutes later the srs light came on again for about 5 or ten minutes. This pattern of normal engine starts and then intermittent srs warnings continues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10420610, filed 2011-08, 73,454 miles“The contact owned a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. While driving 45 MPH, the rear passenger side and rear ceiling air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The dealer diagnosed that a crack in the rim caused the air bags to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 06/21/16”
NHTSA complaint #10862243, filed 2016-04, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10166083Jul 9, 2014Rubbing noises arise between the covering and cover of the sidebag
- 10034306Jun 11, 2010Mercedes: 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…
- 10028649Jan 9, 2009Mercedes: srs indicator lamp on. The srs light is illuminated and diagnostic fault code(s) b9223 and/or b9243 are stored in the srs ecu. The resistance of the ignition squib…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | 15% |
| 2005 | 22 | 10% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 19 | 9% |
| 2002 | 3 | 13% |
| 2001 | 7 | 18% |
| 2000 | 12 | 27% |
| 1999 | 17 | 20% |
| 1998 | 3 | 8% |
| 1997 | 7 | 11% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320
88 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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