Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 fuel system problems

Owners reported fuel system problems in 41 complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500, 29% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
41 29% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
96,000 miles 31 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When fuel system problems show up

Fuel system complaints by mileage, 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 96,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 0 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 0 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 2 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 2 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 13 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 7 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 3 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 1 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 96,000 miles
Based on 31 complaints that include mileage. 6% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles0
20k to 40k miles0
40k to 60k miles2
60k to 80k miles2
80k to 100k miles13
100k to 120k miles7
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles3
160k to 180k miles1
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 31 fuel system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 96,000 miles, and 6% were reported before 60,000 miles.

None of the fuel system complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.

What owners wrote

Strong smell of gasoline every time I fill up and until I drive about 50 miles. I was told by a german auto repair shop that it is a cracked gas tank and that this is a systemic problem with mercedes e-class models from 2003-2005. The smell appears to be emanating from the rear passenger driver's side. I have also been told there was a recall for this exact issue in europe and asia but that mercedes never issued a recall in the us for this issue despite being extremely pervasive.

Reported at 40,000 miles, February 2011

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e500. The contact stated that when he refueled, he could smell strong gasoline fumes inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that there was a leak on top of the fuel tank and the tank would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 113,000.

Reported at 113,000 miles, August 2013

Other problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500

Fuel system problems in other years

Fuel system problems across all Mercedes-Benz models