2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class problems
NHTSA has received 69 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class, and 26% of them involve brakes. After that come fuel system (16%) and electrical system (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 69 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 4,000 miles 51 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 38 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 51 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 4,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 14,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 5 complaints mention a crash; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Mercedes-Benz E Class with enough data (56 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I was involved in a rear-end collision in 9-04 where my 2003 mercedes (mb) was unable to stop in time. My car was not able to stop in time even though it was traveling only about 20 MPH and that I applied quick, maximum pressure to the brakes. There was one other "close-call" a few weeks prior to the accident. When I called the mercedes customer service 800 # and the mercedes dealer, both of them denied that there were any reports or recalls of brake failure.
The 2003 mercedes benz e320 has a faulty gateway module and software. This module has resulted in problems being reported in my car that the brakes, self restraint system, telephone system, and tire pressure have failed. I have no way of knowing if the the safty systems are operational or not. At this point I am driving a car that says my SRS system is not working. I have been in the mercedes shop no less than 4 times to have the problem repaired. It simply re-occurs after each repair.
Electrical systems malfunctions. Service dept advised me that mercedes is aware of the issues (plural) but they have yet to reach a 'fix'. I have had my e500 for 7 months. I am suspecting that the fix may be impractical as was the case with the navigation software that could not be integrated - forcing mercedes to buy back their cars. I believe we are all getting false promises from mercedes-benz on any proposed fixes with the electrical bugs too.
Car purchased and always serviced at fletcher johes, newport beach, ca..a total of 20 plus faults and 13 weeks in repair out of 12 month of ownership...had asked dealer to take the car back and replace it with an alternator. Dealer wants us to trade in and purchase a new car. After paying $50,000 for a quality name, this seems like a joke. 1. Foul amonia small from A/C when car is first started. Dealer changed ventilation filter but smell continues. 2. Radio button sticks. Dealer says mb does not want to fix this.