2003 Mercedes Benz S CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 28 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
Electrical System: 5; Suspension:Front: 5; Suspension: 4; Air Bags: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 6; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029303 · 2003-07-27 (July 27, 2003)
RE: 2003 S600 [XXX] MY RELATIVELY NEW (3000 MILES) S600 HAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE NEW V12 ENGINE THAT HAS NOW DEVELOPED INTO A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK FOR THE DRIVER. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE MORE THAN 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM - IT HAS BEEN ESCALATED TO THE TECH CENTER BY MY DEALER - IT HAS NOT EVER BEEN FIXED. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE REGULARLY FOULED BY MISFIRING CYLINDERS (1,2,7,8) - THE DEALER SAYS IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT MBUSA HAS FAILED TO FIX..AND NOW - WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEED OVER RELATIVELY MODEST BUMPS - THE CAR TOTALLY DIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046758 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
2003 S5004MATIC BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER. AT 9000 MILES HAD REAR ROTORS WARPED BY PARKING BRAKE. AT 11000 MILES HAD FRONT ROTORS WARPED BY UNKNOWN REASONS. AT 11500 MILES SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE FIXED. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX IT ON 4 OCCASIONS. UNABLE TO DO SO. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576261 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)
THE SRS SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) HAVE BEEN DEEMED INOPERABLE BY THE DEALER AND MAY EITHER DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RECOGNITION SENSOR PAD LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH DISABLES/ENABLES THE AIRBAGS FUNCTIONALITY. BOTH A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN THE 2000 TO 2006 MODEL YEAR MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE CONTAINS A SENSOR THAT EVENTUALLY FAILS FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR WARNING WHICH COMPROMISES THE AIR BAG'S FUNCTIONALITY. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011910 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE ENGINE STALLED 3 TIMES. MODEL S430. *JB ON ONE OCCASION THE SPEED SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM 47-15MPH. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 5,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260594 · 2009-03-03 (March 3, 2009)
MY CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS INSIDE MY CAR ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD ARE MALFUNCTIONING. I CAN'T SEE HOW FAST I'M DRIVING BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR ME. WHEN THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS OCCUR, NOTHING ELECTRICAL, LIGHTS, SEATS WORK IN THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260594 at NHTSA ↗