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Mercedes-Benz S500Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,125miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
16 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500. The part named most often is seat belts, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and brakes (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,125 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 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.

Example complaints

Seat belts: “The passenger front seat belt will not retract. Also, the dashboard lights went out while driving making it very hard to see speed/fuel/gear selection. These are both safety concerns that should be recalled. We can send you a picture of the dead dash if needed. Also video of a stuck seat belt. Thanks, kurt.”

NHTSA complaint #11153939, filed 2018-11, 63,250 miles

Electrical system: “Special acquisition module (sam) my car would not start the mercedes roadside came out and started the car and I took it to the dealership for diagnostic. Upon review the dealer stated the sam module plastic cover had water drops on it. They also stated the male and female connectors to the module was corroded, and I would need a new special acquisition module (sam) at the cost of $1590.00. …”

NHTSA complaint #10547686, filed 2013-10, 55,000 miles

Brakes: “While approaching a stop light, the consumer applied the brakes and they failed, which caused the vehicle to slowly continue into the center of the intersection. The owner later took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that this occurred with all brands of cars not just mercedes and that a certain percentage of brake failures is acceptable in the auto industry so long as that percentage does not get too high. Consumer stated that the info was hard to accept when he could have been killed by cross traffic at the intersection where he coasted through a redlight.”

NHTSA complaint #10097157, filed 2004-10, 12,905 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,000 and 100,000 miles.

13%0–1013%10–2513%25–5025%50–750%75–10025%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,125 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2003220042013201422015220182020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S500 RWD5.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic142016$5,150
S500 4matic 4WD/AWD5.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic141916$5,150

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 40 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20061368,0420—17—Not enough data
20051198,3070—17—Not enough data
20041298,0000—17—Not enough data
20031059,1250—16—Not enough data
20022573,9630—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200134112,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20005587,8780—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz S500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 is reported most often?

Seat belts is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 (S500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,125 miles and the middle half falls between 28,000 and 100,000 miles; 38% 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.