2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 24,334miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and seats (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,334 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Electrical system4 40%
- Engine cooling2 20%
- Seats2 20%
- Exterior lighting1 10%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Steering1 10%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “On the highway driving 65 my 2003 ml500 mercedes - benz computer shut down after hitting a small bump. It was very dangerous and was scared for my life there engine turned off and was luckily able to stop at the side of the road and start the car again. This happened a couple of weeks before but it stoped for just a second or two. This isn;t an ld car with about 25k miles on it. For a 55 thousand dollars car to do that is unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #10065804, filed 2004-04, 24,300 milesEngine cooling: “I was pulling into a parking space (with my 3 small children strapped in the back), when I realized that the car was not stopping. I pressed the brake harder, the car accelerated, jumped the cement median, and hit a parked car. Thank god no one was injured. I am sick thinking what could of happened. The car is 6 months old and has been back to the dealership twice for a problem I believe was the beginning of this, I.e., when I would step on the brake it would go to stall, buck forward and then be ok. The dealership was unable to find it or duplicate it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039003, filed 2003-09, 10,744 milesSeats: “The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz ml55. While driving 60 MPH he engaged the seat heater. The front and rear seats became extremely hot. He was unable to turn the heater off. He pulled over and noticed smoke and sparks. He poured water over the seats and the sparks stopped. The seat heater did not go off until the key was removed from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the coils malfunctioned. The current and failure mileages were 28,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10199582, filed 2007-08, 28,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 25,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V208000Mar 31, 2011Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1999–2003
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake…
- 08V465000Sep 17, 2008Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2004
Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 03V121000Mar 27, 2003Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
Recall details for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- RQ08002Power steering hose leakClosed · Mar 11, 2008
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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10051989Feb 15, 2013Steering. Mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. The lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from connection to power…
- 10016685May 16, 2005Electrical system. Esp lamp illuminated.
- 10012829Feb 7, 2005Engine cooling. Engine will not start and fault message start error appears in instrument cluster.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 | 4,481 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 24,334 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 50,450 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 25 | 75,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 18 | 100,050 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 5 | 67,700 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz M Class model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,334 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 25,000 miles; 100% 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.
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.