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2003 Mercedes Benz E Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

34 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

45 reports
80,000 miles · Apr 29, 2014
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

NHTSA ODI #10585406

88,900 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI #10556255

53,000 miles · Oct 31, 2013
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

NHTSA ODI #10550379

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2013
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 …

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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 GOING TO THE DEALER, AND TO THE DOCTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535366

120,000 miles · Mar 28, 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…

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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. I THAN ASKED THAT IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE BRAKES COULD FAIL COMPLETELY THAN ITS MERCEDES DUTY TO TELL THE OWNERS EVEN IF THEY BUY USED, THE PERSON JUST KEPT QUIET. PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY GET HURT OR DIE WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPENS. AT THE END I WAS CHARGED $2309 FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY MERCEDES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504889

210,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
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 W…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10476883

103,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
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 ADDRESSIN…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10468261

78,000 miles · Apr 29, 2012
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

NHTSA ODI #10456826

4 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Electrical System

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT GAVE ME A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE STATING THAT THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAY DOESN'T READ THE PROPER LEVEL, THE BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE, THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE FEATURES OF AUTO ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TILT, THE MIRRO…

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I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT GAVE ME A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE STATING THAT THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAY DOESN'T READ THE PROPER LEVEL, THE BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE, THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE FEATURES OF AUTO ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TILT, THE MIRRORS, AND THE SEATS ARE NOT WORKING. CHECKED FOR RECALLS, FOUND A SIMILAR RECALL IN JULY OF 2008, BUT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436746

107,000 miles · Oct 29, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

VERY STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. FUMES COMPLETELY PERMEATE MY TWO CAR GARAGE AND ALSO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FUMES DISAPPEAR WHEN TANK LEVEL REACHES 7/8 FULL. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES ON THE WEB REGARDING STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN THE TANK IS FULL ON E MODEL MERCEDES YEARS 2003 TO 2006…

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VERY STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. FUMES COMPLETELY PERMEATE MY TWO CAR GARAGE AND ALSO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FUMES DISAPPEAR WHEN TANK LEVEL REACHES 7/8 FULL. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES ON THE WEB REGARDING STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN THE TANK IS FULL ON E MODEL MERCEDES YEARS 2003 TO 2006. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVELY AND/OR FIRE. I CONTACTED MERCEDES REQUESTING THE ISSUANCE OF A SERVICE RECALLED BASED ON THE APPARENT HIGH INCIDENCE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN TAKING ANY ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433530

Official recalls

4

08V303000 · Electrical System

Jul 7, 2008

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.

05V133000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Apr 1, 2005

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.

04V296000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Jun 22, 2004

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.

03V289000 · Steering

Aug 7, 2003

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.