THIS IS THE BIGGEST SECRET KEPT BY MERCEDES BENZ ON THE NEW BODY STYLE OF THE 2003, E-CLASS CARS COMPLETE FIBER OPTICS FAILURE IN THE CAR BEGINS IN THE CAR AT 89 DEGREES F, THIS WILL BE DEMONSTRATED BY THE AUDIO SYSTEM RAPIDLY SKIPPING FROM CD TO CD IN THE 6 CD CHANGER, AND THEN THE VOLUME IN THE AUDIO SYSTEM WILL BECOME UNCO…
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THIS IS THE BIGGEST SECRET KEPT BY MERCEDES BENZ ON THE NEW BODY STYLE OF THE 2003, E-CLASS CARS COMPLETE FIBER OPTICS FAILURE IN THE CAR BEGINS IN THE CAR AT 89 DEGREES F, THIS WILL BE DEMONSTRATED BY THE AUDIO SYSTEM RAPIDLY SKIPPING FROM CD TO CD IN THE 6 CD CHANGER, AND THEN THE VOLUME IN THE AUDIO SYSTEM WILL BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER. THE VOLUME WILL TURN TO MAXIMUM VOLUME ON ITS OWN AND STAY THERE UNTIL YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, IF YOU ARE DRIVING AND DO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF, THE VOLUME LEVEL WILL STAY AT MAXIMUM VOLUME FOR 15 MINUTES OR MORE, THEN LOWER ITSELF DOWN DURING A 20 SECOND INTERVAL TO A MUTED STATE, THE AUDIO SYSTEM WILL TURN ITSELF OFF. THEN, TURN ITSELF BACK ON, TO FULL VOLUME AND REPEAT THE CYCLE. DURING THIS ENTIRE TIME, THE PERSON IN THE CAR WILL HEAR A VERY LOAD POPPING NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS, IN ADDITION TO ANY OF THE MUSIC BLASTING FROM THE STEREO SYSTEM. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND LEAVE IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND ALLOW IT TO COOL DOWN. THIS WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN, UNTIL THE STEREO HEATS UP AGAIN. AFTER REPLACING MY CD SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES, MERCEDES REPLACE MY REAR COMPUTER TWICE AND MY MAIN FRONT COMPUTER ONCE, THEN BUILT A FAN TO COOL THE FIBER OPTICS SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THIS FAN IS ONLY INSTALLED TO MERCEDES OWNERS WHO REPEATEDLY COMPLAIN ABOUT FIBER OPTICS FAILURES AND UNCONTROLLABLE VOLUME ON THEIR STEREOS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON ALL MERCEDES COMPLAINT WEBSITE, HOWEVER PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE THAT IT IS CAUSED BY AN OVERHEATING OF THE FIBER OPTICS SYSTEMS AT 92 DEGREES. IT APPEARS THAT THE MAJORITY OF DEALERSHIPS REPEATEDLY REPLACE THE CD SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE FIBER OPTICS SYSTEM IN THE 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054893
3,288 miles · Jan 26, 2004
Equipment
MERCEDES 2003 E320: THE PARKTRONICS IN THE CAR, ARE SET OFF BY CONSTANT RAIN OVER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, IN SPEEDS UP TO 10MPH. THE DOUBLE RED LIGHTS GO OFF AND THE PARKTRONICS WARNING BUZZERS GO OFF, WARNING THAT YOU HAVE HIT A SOLID OBJECT. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF A KROGER GROCERY STORE AND MY PARKTRONICS WARNI…
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MERCEDES 2003 E320: THE PARKTRONICS IN THE CAR, ARE SET OFF BY CONSTANT RAIN OVER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, IN SPEEDS UP TO 10MPH. THE DOUBLE RED LIGHTS GO OFF AND THE PARKTRONICS WARNING BUZZERS GO OFF, WARNING THAT YOU HAVE HIT A SOLID OBJECT. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF A KROGER GROCERY STORE AND MY PARKTRONICS WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT OFF WARNING THAT I HAD HIT SOMETHING SOLID. I TOOK THE CAR INTO PARK PLACE MERCEDES IN DALLAS TEXAS AND THEY REPLACED MY PARKTRONICS TWICE, THEN THE THIRD TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM ANYMORE, BECAUSE MERCEDES DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT ANY LONGER, BUT THAT THEIR PARKING SENSORS WERE VERY SENSITIVE TO RAIN RUNNING OVER THE FRONT OF THE CARS HOOD. I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE SOLID OBJECT WARNING BUZZERS GOING OFF BECAUSE MERCEDES NO LONGER CONSIDERED THIS A DEFECT. THIS CAN POSE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ANYONE DRIVING IN A HEAVY OR BLINDING RAIN AND THEIR CAR KEEPS WARNING THEM, THAT THEY HAVE HIT A SOLID OBJECT. ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHERE DRIVERS ARE MOVING AT LOWER SPEEDS, AND SLAMMING ON YOUR BREAKS EVERY TIME THE CAR WARNS THAT YOU HAVE HIT A SOLID OBJECT, WHEN YOU HAVE NOT, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. MY MERCEDES E320 HAS SPENT 47 DAYS IN 2003, IN THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR DEPARTMENT FOR MAJOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES, WHICH ARE COMMON TO THE ENTIRE 2003 E320 RELEASE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054887
2,500 miles · Oct 3, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSO…
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THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK SYSTEM THAT THEY INSTALLED HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THEY PUT IT ON. WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A GPS AND A VOICE ACTIVATE KIT FOR THE MERCEDES BENZ AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT FOR MY CAR SO I WAS LIED TOO . MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES AND STILL NOT FIX AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS LIED TO ME BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THE ITEMS ARE FIX AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY ARE BAD AGAIN . I WILL NOT RECOMMEND MERCEDES BENZ TO ANYONE AS THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY JUST TO BE. ALSO I WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE AUTOHAUS IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SERVICE MANAGER JERRY ODESSY ONLY LIES TO PEOPLE AS IT DID TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND HE IS ALSO VERY RUDE . I HAVE ALSO E-MAIL THE PRESIDENT OF AUTOHAUS AND HE HAS NEVER RESPONDED AND THE CORPORATE OFFICE IS NOT TO FAR BEHIND ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDENESS . DO NOT BUY MERCEDES THERE ARE A LOT OF BETTER CAR OUT THERE . IF YOU BUY A MERCEDES MAKE SURE YOU CAR WAS NOT IN A FLOOD AS I READ THAT A LOT OF THEIR CARS WERE IN A FLOOD AND THEY ARE SELLING THEM LIKE NOTHING HAPPEND. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041141
17 miles · Sep 21, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipment
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK TH…
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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 PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUT ON THE BOLT WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING GEAR TO THE STEERING COUPLING MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOOSENING OF THE NUT COULD RESULT IN A SLIPPING OF THE CONNECTION OVER TIME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Mercedes Benz E Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year