2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 40%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,650miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class, 40% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,650 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“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 miles“I purchased a new 2003 ml 350 during the memorial day sale from our local mercedes dealer in iowa city, ia. The SUV shuts off automatically. Initially, the dealer replaced the battery. The SUV has been into the dealer three additional times for the same problem. Each time, the day after I received the ml350 back, the problem occurs again. Two incidents occurred where the SUV would not start in my garage (which presented no hazard). Two incidents occurred where I was driving the vehicle. This is an extreme safety hazard - particularly if you traveling at a high rate of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10045088, filed 2003-10, 7,000 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016685May 16, 2005Esp lamp illuminated.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class
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