2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 37,941miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 12 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 11 city / 13 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by steering (2) and body and structure (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,941 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 72 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 43%
- Steering2 29%
- Body and structure2 29%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I purchased this car in november of 2012 as the 2nd owner. It only had 60,000 miles on it and seemed like a great car. One day I was driving on the freeway approximately 65mph, when I had to brake slightly and the brake pedal felt kinda mushy and my braking was slower than normal. Next thing I saw was my dashboard had a red message on it (brake reduced braking effort) ahhhhhh I was freaked out and got off the freeway and pulled into a gas station. I called a tow truck (I was afraid my brakes were not going to work and I didn't want to put my young son or anyone else in danger. …”
NHTSA complaint #10763976, filed 2015-09, 75,000 milesSteering: “While driving, the steering wheel started shaking uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the steering rack pinion shaft needed replacement. The consumer informed the mechanic that the this problem has occurred more than once and has not been resolved. Please fill in additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10094235, filed 2004-09Body and structure: “The contact stated one of contact's clients suffered 3rd degree burns on the calf of the leg while exiting the vehicle from a stainless steel portion of the running board. The running board was very hot from the sun shining inside the vehicle resulting in the client's leg being burned. The dealership was notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10167669, filed 2006-09, 37,941 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 75,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G500 4WD/AWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 11 | 13 | 12 | $6,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V366000Aug 5, 2010Exterior lighting › Turn signalCovers: Mercedes-Benz G500 2002–2010, G55 2002, 2004–2010, G 550 2009–2010
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2002-2010 g-class vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "'lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these vehicles are equipped with a…
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Electrical systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz G500 2003, SLK 2005–2009, E Class 2003–2006 +13 more
Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class…
Recall details for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 72 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Brakes. Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is…
- 11038217Sep 14, 2026Body and structure. Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even…
- 11036607Aug 26, 2026Back-over prevention (rear camera), Forward collision…. Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be…
- 11036142Aug 12, 2026Electrical system. Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other…
- 11036190Aug 6, 2026Electrical system. Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car…
- 11036101Aug 6, 2026Body and structure. Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even…
- 11035219Jul 21, 2026Back-over prevention (rear camera), Body and structure. Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be…
- 11035118Jul 14, 2026Back-over prevention (rear camera), Body and structure. Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be…
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound…
- 11033981Jun 17, 2026Electrical system, Back-over prevention (rear camera). Complaint Consistently reproducible erroneous parktronic warnings from front with every key cycle. Cause The parking sensors are detecting the front brush guard. Remedy Complaint must be…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz G500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | 37,941 | 2 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz G500 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 (G500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 12 mpg combined, 11 city and 13 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,941 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 75,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.