2003 Mercedes-Benz E ClassProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 29, 2014. Updated daily.
Where the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class has problems
45 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 13 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 14 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
2003 vs. every other E Class year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E Class median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
What E Class owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TWO RECALL LETTERS WERE RECEIVED REGARDING THE BRAKES, #05V133000 AND #04V296000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE REPAIR WORK DID NOT NEED TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT THEN ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE WORK WAS NOT DONE,…
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…
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COMMENCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN IT CAUSES A LACK OF BRAKING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. *AK
Own a 2003 E Class?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.