2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class. The part named most often is suspension, with 7 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and air bags (4). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Suspension7 25%
- Electrical system6 21%
- Air bags4 14%
- Seat belts4 14%
- Engine cooling2 7.1%
- Equipment2 7.1%
- Interior lighting2 7.1%
- Body and structure2 7.1%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Fuel system (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “My suspension is horrible!! Without warning my s430 airmatic light displayed visit workshop , I pulled over and noticed my vehicle was riding extremely low...almost touching my front and back tires. Furthermore, there is a rubbing sound when the wheels are being turned. I contacted 4 dealers and they all claimed the suspension and/or airmatic system has been a common problem ...my concern is why wasn't I notified about a recall? Secondly, after scheduling an appointment for this week, mb is claiming that I will be charged for service a. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291036, filed 2009-11, 84,500 milesElectrical system: “I was driving on a highway when car just stopped. I had to get out of the car and push it for it to start again. After 500 it stopped again and had to be towed away.”
NHTSA complaint #10137974, filed 2005-09, 55,000 milesAir bags: “I cannot believe that there is not or will not be a recall on the suspension issue. I too had the fate of my car collapsing on my way home from work-which is 35 miles away-it happened. On the dash it stated in bid bold letters airmatic car too low . I pulled over and stepped out-my heart felt like it was going to come through my chest. Everyone in that situation understands just how I felt at that time. The front of the car was completely covering half of the front tires-if I turned the wheel it would have scraped the fenders. I left the car there overnite. …”
NHTSA complaint #10292477, filed 2009-11, 74,000 milesSeat belts: “The driver's side seat belt does not work properly during hot weather. More particularly, the belt will not extend. It is impossible to pull the belt out enough to fasten it. Thus, the only way the car can be driven in hot weather is without the driver wearing a seat belt. The belt works properly in the morning when leaving our air-conditioned garage, but when returning to the car while it has been parked outside in hot weather the seat belt does not work.”
NHTSA complaint #10464097, filed 2012-07, 120,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 73,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V263000Jun 12, 2007SuspensionCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2004, CL Class 2000–2004
On certain vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity causing deterioration of the hose.
- 04V285000Jun 9, 2004Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › LockCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2003–2004, CL Class 2003–2004
On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position.
Recall details for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE07042Air suspension system failureClosed · Aug 14, 2007
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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10136035Jun 23, 2014Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- 10030939Jul 31, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated…
- 10030929Jun 15, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection is…
- 10025845Jul 28, 2008Exterior lighting. Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
- 10019996Apr 26, 2006Exterior lighting. Headlamp low beam or fog lamp is always either too high or too low.
- 10014583Mar 16, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door.
- 10014547Mar 9, 2005Equipment. High-pitched whining noise heard on telephone/vcs/tele aid calls.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 15 | 38,388 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 28 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 48 | 78,139 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 96,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 81 | 84,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 9 | 96,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 121,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 27 | 130,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 12 | 129,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz S Class model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 7 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 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 S Class reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 73,000 miles; 33% 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.