2003 Mercedes Benz S CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000855 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
I WAS RECENTLY LOOKING AT THE PURCHASE OF A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS SEDAN AND WAS REVIEWING THE FEATURES TO ORDER. ONE OF THE OPTIONS WAS A "TRUNK CLOSER". THE DEALER HAD A UNIT IN STOCK WHICH HAD THIS OPTION AND I HAD ITS OPERATION DEMONSTRATED. MUCH TO MY SURPISE, IT DID NOT HAVE AN AUTOMATIC REVERSE NOR SHUTOFF FOR OBSTRUCTIONS. THE SALESMAN WAS UNABLE TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS OVER THIS DANGEROUS AND FLAWED DESIGN. AS A PHYSICIAN AND FATHER OF A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD, I FEEL AN OBLIGATION TO DRAFT THIS COMPLAINT IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000855 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 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 10054531 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
THE TRUNK LID ON MY NEW 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S-430 OPENS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND KNOCKED A PACKAGE FROM MY WIFE'S HANDS MISSING HER FACE BY A SECOND.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055275 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056506 · 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)
L/F WHEEL BENT; L/R WHEEL CRACKED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093017 · 2004-09-22 (September 22, 2004)
THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYING. SO FAR NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED ON TWO SERVICE TECHS. AND ONE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. DEPLOYMENT IS DO TO A DEFECT. THE CAR IS AN SLK 320. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093017 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.
04V285000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
Reported: 2004-06-09 (June 9, 2004)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.
Consequence: IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V263000 · Suspension | Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2007-06-12 (June 12, 2007)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗