2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500, 1% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 was making a right turn onto a city street when I heard a click/ crack, the instrument panel lit up, and the steering wheel locked. I was not able to stop the car in time and hit a parked car. The engine did not turn off when this happened. It wasn't a case of the power steering failing because I was not able to turn the wheel at all (I do know what that feels like). I put the car in park, turned off the engine, surveyed the damage, then turned the car back on and was able to reverse it and park the car behind the accident. The steering was fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11287533, filed 2019-12, 122,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10167000Feb 18, 2014Surface damage on steering wheel trim
- 10020460Dec 4, 2008Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09.
Steering: 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