2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,975miles
- 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 E500, 3% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,975 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.
“As I was merging on to the highway from another highway at about 40mph, I had to speed up because of the traffic that was coming towards me and also to blend in with the rest of the cars speeds. I went to accelerate, but nothing happened. Let off the gas, and then punched the pedal all the way, but still no sign of acceleration. I kept my foot on the gas and about 3 seconds later, the car began slowly to speed up...one MPH at a time. It took some time to make it so 65mph. After reaching that speed, I tried some troubleshooting. I let off gas pedal completely and stepped back on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424560, filed 2011-09, 80,950 miles“While driving, radiator fluid leaked into the transmission which causes vibrations from the rear of the car. The leak also created a jerking problem while accelerating in the low gears. The issue with the faulty radiator is going to take over $10,000 to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10371711, filed 2010-12, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10167489Mar 19, 2014Noise: A rattling noise may be heard from the area of the chain drive for approx. 2-5 seconds after engine start. And/or: Fault code entries in engine control unit: SIM271DE20…
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10021226Jun 1, 2006Programming battery control module.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500
41 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500
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