The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but the pedal was stiff. The vehicle was taken to two dealers where it was diagnosed that the brake pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system41
- Brakes38
- Suspension19
- Transmission10
- Airbags7
- Driver assistance5
- Engine5
- Visibility3
- Acceleration2
- Electrical2
- Steering1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500
Fuel smell 32Fuel leak 13Brake failure 9Fuel pump 5Jerking 5
Recalls 3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of previous the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Recall number 24V874000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall expands the federal safety agency recall number 19V‑918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Recall number 22V954000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit:
- Risk
- A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Recall number 19V918000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500
Defect investigations
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
EA13003
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 77
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year...
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper...
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
- Customer states the AC either does not cool/has poor performance or heat is insufficient
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
2003 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
What 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Air suspension in the rear suddenly failed making it impossible to drive, also triggered a red warning of "stop, car too low"
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that there was leakage coming from the driver’s and the passenger’s side sunroof. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The contact was informed that the only warranty would be for the module. The contact stated as he was driving the vehicle into the dealer service center the ESP warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the ESP warning light disappeared, the brake warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,648.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the air bags on the driver’s side of the vehicle inadvertently deployed without warning. After the air bags were deployed, a message showing an air bag malfunction was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact received medical attention for ringing in his ear from the air bag deployment. The vehicle was not diagnosed because the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000.
I own a 2003 mercedes benz e500. My wife was driving the car about 25 MPH .she put on the brakes and a bright red signal appeared on the screen and the car brakes failed .to avoid an accident ,my wife drove into an uphill parking lot where the car came to a stop without the cars brakes help .after we calmed down ,we called aaa and had the car towed to rizzoli's mecedez repair 702 west grand ave grover beach ca 93433 phone number 805‑481‑0832 which was closed and the car was left in their parking lot with the keys left in the drop box .this was the closest mercedes repair place we could think of in our state of shock. We were notified that sbc brake system had failed and it would cost $3453.06 to repair .I found out that there had been a 25 year extended warranty on the VIN number in question .after the repair I still noticed some cushioning of the brake pedal but the car brakes did work . Rizzolis is not an authorized repair shop .I called the authorized dealer where I purchased the car alphonos ,1423 calle joaquin,san luis obispo ,93405 ,805 4382701 prior to get the cars brakes repaired and the representative I talked to said they do not have a recall listed on the vehicle and could not help me . I am seeking reembersement of the cost of repair since the dealer I bought the car from would not honor repairing the vehicle on the 25 year warrantee . Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnose the failure to be the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electronic braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I am in immediate need of a confirmation that Mercedes Benz USA or any dealership performed a Sensotronic Brake Control services on my 2003 E500 Mercedes Benz relative to Safety Recall #2005110001. Is MZBUSA required to report ALL vehicles that were serviced under this recall? Please , if service was completed, provide the dates(s) and place where the work was done. I cannot stress how important this is, and a timely response is VERY relevant to the Court situation about MZBUSA's contention that the SBC pump was replaced.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the air bag suspension detached from the subframe which caused the shock to lean into the tire. The rear driver’s side wheel ceased turning. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Mzb issued a 25-year-warranty/safety recall extension on my 2003 e500 mzb car; #2005110001 -for the sensotronic brake system. Around august 2020 I was driving on surface street when suddenly the dashboard started flashing red warnings and the speed immediately reduced and transmission was locked in first gear. I was almost rear-ended and managed to pull car curbside. I then slowly drove car home, and the next day contacte a master ase mzb mechanic and had car towed there in temecula. He determined the sbc unit was the cause and even called mzb temecula to assure they had the part. He then informed me my car was under a 25-year recall extension to repair the safety- hazard issue. Dealer and mzb USA refuses to repair - they say since their computer does not show faults, the codes that the ase master mechanic ( who is know to temecula mzb service manager for years) sent to them do not matter...only their system codes. I live in an area where freeway drives are essential and frequent; a sbc limp mode breakdown would put mine and others lives in danger. Mzb temecula and mzb USA in georgia told me that is not their problem unless ifthe system goes down and I have towed to them.
Vehicle started flashing a red warning sign while driving at which point I lost all brakes it was only right that I used a runaway ramp at the moment otherwise the car would have not stopped. I turned off the vehicle and then upon restarting everything brake related disappeared. Also this has happened a few times already.
Compare the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500
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Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500
Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 reliable?
Owners have filed 125 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500, 2.5 times a typical E500 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 year score?
The 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 scores 39 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz E500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 41 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles. Next is brakes (38).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility.
What year does the Mercedes Benz E500 have the most fuel system problems?
The Mercedes Benz E500 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2004 (84 complaints), 2005 (76 complaints) and 2003 (41 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 range from 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.0L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 21 highway.
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