2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500, 1% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 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.
“The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz E500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter failed to shift out of gear. The contact mentioned that the vehicle required to be restarted in order for the gear shifter to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the turbine sensor, the wheel, the spark plugs, and the coil pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10808274, filed 2015-12, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
- 10158329Oct 9, 2017Oil in engine wiring harness
- 10135598Mar 25, 2015Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
Engine: 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 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 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