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2003 Mercedes Benz S600 problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 is suspension. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical S600 model year.

Typical year1.2x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
50
Worst area
Suspension

The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Suspension
    4
  • Engine
    2
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Suspension
    4
  • Engine
    2
  • Electrical
    1

Recalls 1

SuspensionReported May 13, 2004 · 6,238 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high-pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to heat and humidity. Over time, corrosion may deteriorate the inner steel portions of the hose.
Risk
This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage. Under some circumstances, leaking hydraulic fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possibility of fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install new, corrosion resistant abc high-pressure distribution hoses. The recall began august 31, 2004. Owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.

Recall number 04V228000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600

Defect investigations

Air suspension system failureOpened August 14, 2007, closed November 20, 2007

The subject s-class vehicles contain a compressed air suspension system that uses air struts on each of the four wheels in lieu of traditional springs and shock absorbers.these air struts use compressed air to support the weight of the vehicle and control ride height.in the event of the loss of air from the system, an alert will flash on the instrument cluster warning the driver to either drive carefully or to stop the vehicle.the vehicle ride height can be reduced by as much as 105 mm below normal ride height before the full load of the vehicle for that wheel comes to rest on a steel rod, with a rubber stop on the end, located in the shock absorber.this rest-stop condition is designed such that there is no impact on vehicle control.mercedes-benz (mbusa) supplied video showing a vehicle in this condition operating under several different situations including evasive maneuvers demonstrating the ability of the vehicle to be controlled effectively with a ride height reduced to the minimum.only those complaints to odi and mbusa that alleged a steering interference during a reduced ride height condition were counted in this resume failure report.some complaints alleged that with a reduced ride height and a stop now warning message there was a rubbing noise when turning, but the ability to steer the vehicle was not compromised.a sampling of warranty claims submitted by mbusa did not reveal any indicating a loss of control due to an airmatic system failure.there was one crash reported by mbusa to odi but the information available indicated that it related to suspension systems and it was not possible to verify that the incident was related to an airmatic system failure. Further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and will take further action in the future if warranted.this preliminary evaluation is closed.

PE07042

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 50

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 50 bulletins for the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600

What 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 8, 2015 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

While my daughter driving my car abc light came on and suddenly lost control and had accident. Car went over the center line, climbed over barricade and destroyed the car. Insurance company totlaled the car because it was too expensive to repair. While driving a high pressure hose blew up and car went all the way down to bottom of the suspension, mercedes does not take any responsibilty for this problem and when I searched the internet I found there are hundreds of complains for the incidents like this.

Filed Jun 19, 2014 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s-600. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the instrument panel went blank and the contact was not able to see neither the fuel gauge nor the speedometer. The contact mentioned that due to the failure he ran out of fuel. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2011 · Engine · 63,988 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s600. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the distribution hose failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact inquired about the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling) but his advised that his VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was then contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,988.

Filed Dec 6, 2009 · Engine, Suspension · 56,923 miles · NJ

Mercedes benz, s-600 (model 2003), it was very difficult to control the car in the highway and the car almost lost control after it's active body control (abc) light flashed on suddenly in the dashboard and the car body came down grinding against the wheels/tires on 12/03/2009 again after the car's abc system was replaced on 11/19/2009 at mb dealer in edison, nj. I have reported safety complaints on this car about abc system quality problem (odi number is: 10294645). The car was sent to mb dealer in edison, nj for checks at same day and they found that the engine water pump dead and made engine belt broken and abc system at malfunction. I feel the abc quality problem has affected engine water pump's quality. Abc system malfunction is safety consideration. It looks like mb has a incorrect design of engine water pump and abc system for s-600. Please investigate and consider this issue for a new recall. Thank you.

Filed Dec 6, 2009 · Suspension · 56,772 miles · NJ

Mercedes benz, s-600 (model 2003), it was very difficult to control the car in the highway and the car almost lost control after it's active body control (abc) light flashed on suddenly in the dashboard and the car body came down grinding against the wheel/tires on 11/16/2009. The car was sent to mb dealer in edison, nj for repairs that same day and they found that the abc hydraulic fluid had leaked out due to corrosion that had occurred in the inner steel portions of the abc high pressure distribution hose already. There was a burning smell; leaking abc fluid may have come into contact with hot engine components which could have caused a fire. But, the car dealer mentioned this problem was not related to mb recall (id # 07v263000) issues. However, I feel this abc quality problem issue is exactly the same as description of the related recall. If not, please investigate and consider this abc system quality issue for a new recall. Now, the mb car dealer has replaced defective abc system after I paid them. But I think mb should have paid for this repair. This quality problem should not have happened. Please investigate this report. Thank you.

Filed Feb 12, 2009 · Suspension · PA

Active body control fluid leak.

Compare the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600

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Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600

Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600, 1.2 times a typical S600 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600?

Suspension, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (2).

How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz S600 suspension?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V228000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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