Model year record

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & problems

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 4 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (15 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints45filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 7, 2008

Electrical system

Recall 08V303000404 vehicles

Problem: 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 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 1, 2005

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V133000204,000 vehicles

Problem: 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 PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
Risk: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.
Fix: 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 PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 22, 2004

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 04V296000143,387 vehicles

Problem: 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 UNACCEPTABLE PRESSURE GRADIENT IS DETECTED, THE SYSTEM WILL SWITCH, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, INTO THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
Risk: IF VEHICLES ARE NOT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH MILEAGE COMBINED WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF BRAKE ACTUATIONS, OR A HIGH BRAKE ACTUATION FREQUENCY, THE PUMP MOTOR OF THE SBC MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES, THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
Fix: 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.

SteeringAug 7, 2003

Steering

Recall 03V289000554 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUT ON THE BOLT WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING GEAR TO THE STEERING COUPLING MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Risk: THE LOOSENING OF THE NUT COULD RESULT IN A SLIPPING OF THE CONNECTION OVER TIME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	15	3	1	14,180 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Alternator/generator/regulator	9	0	0	2,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	5	0	0	78,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	5	0	0	95,950 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control	4	0	0	2,500 mi
EquipmentElectrical; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	4	0	0	2,894 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)	4	0	0	4,487 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	4	1	1	4,003 mi
SuspensionFront	3	0	0	2,500 mi
Air bags	2	1	1	—
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems; Tread/belt	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline
MY WHOLE GARAGE SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE WHENEVER WE FILL UP THE GAS TANK. THE SMELL WILL REMAIN UNTIL WE DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, CONSUMING PERHAPS 1/4 OF THE TANK. THIS HAS BEEN ON-GOING ONLY FOR THE LAST YEAR. *JS
Apr 1, 2013 · 80,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
I STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THE CAR CABIN. THERE WAS GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY AS WELL. THE GAS SIGN STARTED TO FLASH ON MY DASH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A MAJOR LEAK IN THE PURGE SYSTEM. THEY QUOTED ME $3066.88. THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT PASS IT ON TO ME. *TR
Nov 20, 2013 · 88,900 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT AFTER FILL UP. THIS COINCIDED WITH ACCURACY ISSUES OF THE FUEL GAUGE, WHERE VEHICLE NOW RUNS OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE INDICATES 1/4 TANK. THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS HAPPENS NOW REPEATEDLY WITH EVERY FILL UP, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE SOME FORM OF LEAKAGE AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. *TR
Oct 4, 2010 · 53,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
I PURCHASED THE MERCEDES IN APRIL 2013 OF THIS YEAR AND LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE CAR I HAD MAJOR REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR. I SLIGHTLY SMELLED FUEL VAPORS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR HOWEVER I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A POSSIBLE AFTER EFFECT OF ME REFUELING THE CAR. OVER THE COURSE OF TWO MONTHS THE FUMES BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AND I STAY WITH A MIGRAINE EVERYDAY. TODAY WAS UNBEARABLE AS IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND IT IS BECOMING HARD TO CONCENTRATE AND IT FEELS LIKE MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO BURST. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER AS THIS IS THE WORST EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE! THE PEOPLE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND I WANTED TO RETURN THE CALL ALTOGETHER! I PLAN ON…
Aug 14, 2013
Service brakes
THE WARNING LIGHT OF BRAKES FAILURE CAME ON AT HIGHWAY EXIT AT 65MPH AND THE BRAKE PADDLE HIT THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES. PULLED OVER AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN MID MARCH AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS THE SBC PUMP THAT FAILED WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MERCEDES BENZ UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 484656 BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 02/28/13 AND SINCE I WAS 15 DAYS OVER THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED. CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF NA AND ASKED THEM THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WAS NOT TOLD BY ANYONE ABOUT THIS TSB AND THEY SHOULD COVER THE REPAIRS SINCE THE PUMP ACTUALLY FAILED WHEN THE CAR STILL UNDER EXTENDED 10 YEAR WARRANTY (SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 484656 ). THEY FLATLY REFUSED.…
Feb 10, 2013 · 120,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY OWNER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FRANKLY I'M AMAZED A COMPANY WITH THE "PEDIGREE" OF MERCEDES BENZ HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO UNSOLVED ACROSS THE MARKET. *TR
Sep 18, 2007 · 210,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPEATED THE DEALER'S SENTIMENTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
Jul 27, 2012 · 103,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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. *TR
Jan 1, 2008 · 78,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.