MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mercedes Benz E Class

○ Not enough data
2003 Mercedes Benz E Class
RENDERED 2026-10-31T19:19:59.954Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
45
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 38 complaints 1995: 21 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1997: 38 complaints 1997 1998: 24 complaints 1999: 13 complaints 1999 2000: 34 complaints 2001: 15 complaints 2001 2002: 8 complaints 2003: 45 complaints 2003 45 2004: 15 complaints 2005: 9 complaints 2005 2006: 10 complaints 2008: 5 complaints 2008
1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 38 complaints 1994 1995: 21 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 38 complaints 1997 1998: 24 complaints 1998 1999: 13 complaints 1999 2000: 34 complaints 2000 2001: 15 complaints 2001 2002: 8 complaints 2002 2003: 45 complaints 2003 45 2004: 15 complaints 2004 2005: 9 complaints 2005 2006: 10 complaints 2006 2008: 5 complaints 2008
1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 38 complaints 1994 1995: 21 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 38 complaints 1997 1998: 24 complaints 1998 1999: 13 complaints 1999 2000: 34 complaints 2000 2001: 15 complaints 2001 2002: 8 complaints 2002 2003: 45 complaints 2003 45 2004: 15 complaints 2004 2005: 9 complaints 2005 2006: 10 complaints 2006 2008: 5 complaints 2008

2003: 45 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19920
19937
199438
199521
199616
199738
199824
199913
200034
200115
20028
200345
200415
20059
200610
20085

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

40% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

20% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

Fuel/propulsion system

11% · 5 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Each time I fill up the gas tank to capacity, the fuel tank emits vapors. It seemed somewhat tolerable in the past, though this past week, it was enough to go through walls and up 2 stories. It's past tolerable and just downright unacceptable now.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-24

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes E Class. The contact stated that a fuel odor was present inside of the vehicle and the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-30

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 5 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Fuel leaking from vehicle near rear left tire. Found fuel around fuel sensor under rear passenger seat. Most evident after filling fuel tank. First discovered leak at 70K mileage and again on 128K.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-29

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing engine and emission control.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-08-21Steering03V289000 On certain passenger vehicles, the nut on the bolt which connects the steering gear to the steering coupling may not be tightened correctly.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and tighten the nut on the bolt if necessary. Owner notification began August 21, 2003. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2004-10-21Service brakes, hydraulic04V296000 On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (Sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. The recall began on October 21M 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2005-08-08Service brakes, hydraulic05V133000 On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (Sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all vehicles free of charge. Additionally dealers will inspect and replace the sbc pump unit in sl vehicles…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2008-08-30Electrical system08V303000 Mercedes-Benz is recalling my 2006-2008 M-Class, R-Class, my 2005-2009 SLK-class, my 2005-2008 C-Class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 CLK-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 CL-class, my 2008…

    Remedy: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2008. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Mercedes Benz E Class — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V289000 · Steering
  • Recall 04V296000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 05V133000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 08V303000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.