2003 Mercedes Benz E320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
214 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 161 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 71 of 214 complaints (33.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 75 | 35.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 55 | 25.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 71 |
| Service Brakes | 57 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 18 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Suspension | 10 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 71; Service Brakes: 57; Electrical System: 19; Fuel System, Gasoline: 18; Air Bags: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Suspension: 10; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 33 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 58 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 33; 100,000 to 149,999: 58; 150,000 and above: 23
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (58). 53 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 | 8 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
2003: 8; 2004: 9; 2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2008: 7; 2009: 3; 2010: 9; 2011: 8; 2012: 14; 2013: 38; 2014: 30; 2015: 24; 2016: 16; 2017: 11; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 9; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 75 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 55 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 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 10003034 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ARM FOR THE CRUSIE CONTROL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE TURN SIGNAL ARM. SEVERAL TIMES A DAY I FIND THAT MY HAND (ALBEIT A SMALL HAND) ACCIDENTALLY HITS THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNAL - ESPECIALLY WHEN SIGNALLING LEFT. THIS ACTIVATES THE CRUISE CONTROL AT A TIME WHEN YOU ARE USUALLY GETTING READY TO SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKING WILL TURN OFF THE CRUISE AUTOMATICALLY, BUT IT IS STILL AN INCOVENIENCE AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY SAID THAT THE CARS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012026 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025172 · 2003-06-30 (June 30, 2003)
NEW MERCEDES E320 WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 31, 2003 FROM BOBBY RAHAL MOTORCAR COMPANY IN WEXFORD, PA. THE CAR HAS HAD TWO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITHIN 25 DAYS OF ITS PURCHASE, BOTH BEING SERIOUS AND COULD BE LIFE THREATNING:*AK 1. THE SEAT EASY FUNCTION MALFUNCTIONED. IT PUSHED THE SEAT RIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALMOST CAUSED CHOKING DUE TO PRESSING OF THE CHEST AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL(JUNE 13, 2003) 2. LOST THE PUMP FOR THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT 35 MILES/HOUR ON A HILLY CURVING ROAD. STEERING WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,060 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030401 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
WHEN THE CAR WAS TWO MONTHS OLD, 1500 MILES, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT MY BRAKES MAY NOT BE WORKING AND THAT I SHOULD STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. IN FACT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO KNAUZ MERCEDES IN LAKE BLUFF. THEY STILL HAVE NOT TOLD ME WHAT WENT WRONG BUT SAY THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN NEW PARTS AND THE BRAKES SHOULD BE FINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031968 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH C-240 HEADLIGHT EQUIPMENT.*MR THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AIMED PROPERLY FOR THE LOW BEAM, THERE IS NO FURTHER ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE FOR THE HIGH BEAM. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032449 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. NAR 07/28/2003*MR *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040392 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
HEADLIGHT STANDARDS FOR PASSENGER CARS. TRANSFERRED TO RULEMAKING. *MR *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043369 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
MERCEDES E320-ANOTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE SRS-RESTRAINT LIGHT-GATEWAY. MERCEDES CLAIMS REAR AIRBAG PROBLEM, CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT IF YOU DIDN'T BUY IT FROM SERVICING DEALER, NO LOANER! MB VEHICLE MOTOR INQUIRY INDICATED CAR WAS NAV PRE-WIRED. PLANNED INSTALLATION WHEN AVAILABLE, NO PREPAY, NOW I'M STUCK WITHOUT NAV, REASON I BOUGHT MB *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043369 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗