2003 Mercedes Benz 500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
21,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 11 complaints (9.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 27.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
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 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Suspension: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
2002: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10059861 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AIR SUSPENSION PUMP PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN, CUTTING ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT PROVIDING MUCH INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059933 · 2004-02-27 (February 27, 2004)
ON 2/13/04 MY WIFE WHO IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT WAS GOING HOME AFTER A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE IN HER 2003 MERCEDES C240 ON I 75 GOING SOUTH NEAR ARVIDA PARKWAY EXIT, SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE AND PROCEDED TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM MERCEDES, THEY ADVISED HER NOT TO MOVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER AND THEY WOULD DISPATCH SOMEONE IN ABOUT AN HOUR. BEING A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD SHE WAS CONCERNED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC AND HER BEING RIGHT ON THE SHOULDER, SHE THEN CONTACTED ME AS I WAS ON MY …
Owner-reported narrative. 19,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094705 · 2004-09-30 (September 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SNAPPED IN HALF, CAUSING A COLLISION. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,895 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099605 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE STALLED INADVERTENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE. CURRENTLY, STALLING PROBLEMS RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111549 · 2005-03-15 (March 15, 2005)
WHILE PARKED THE BATTERY DIED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359673 · 2010-10-08 (October 8, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 MERCEDES E500 DOWN A HILL WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY BY DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH WARNINGS AND ADMONISHING TO PULL OVER AND NOT DRIVE. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND OUT THAT MERCEDES HAS A 'PROGRAM' FOR THIS FAILURE BUT DOES NOT TELL CAR OWNERS ABOUT IT UNTIL IT OCCURS. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT I HAD NO OTHER BRAKING CAPABILITY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505934 · 2013-04-11 (April 11, 2013)
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION STICKER, WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MALFUNCTION THAT ALLOWED GAS VAPORS TO ESCAPE FROM TANK. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN BUT TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION!!! THE CAR WAS NOT MISUSED OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED, OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART MERCEDES PUT IN THEIR CARS AND THEY CHOSE NOT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. CHARGED $1,400 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 116,322 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577137 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
WAS GOING DOWN ROAD AND FRONT STRUT BOTTOMED OUT BECAUSE OF AIR BELLOW FAILURE IN AIR LEVELING SYSTEM .MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577137 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.