Model year
2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 45 complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 8 recalls and 416 complaints under AMG E55, E320, E350, and E500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (6), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (5). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,100–$5,500, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 34 complaints
- 2001 15 complaints
- 2002 8 complaints
- 2003 45 complaints
- 2004 15 complaints
- 2005 9 complaints
- 2006 10 complaints
- 2007 436 complaints
- 2008 5 complaints
- 2009 85 complaints
- 2010 258 complaints
- 2011 296 complaints
- 2012 235 complaints
- 2013 188 complaints
- 2014 304 complaints
- 2015 57 complaints
- 2016 89 complaints
- 2017 167 complaints
- 2018 71 complaints
- 2019 59 complaints
- 2020 24 complaints
- 2021 25 complaints
- 2022 23 complaints
- 2023 24 complaints
- 2024 12 complaints
- 2025 10 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
08V303000 · Jul 7, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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,…
05V133000 · Apr 1, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
04V296000 · Jun 22, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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…
03V289000 · Aug 7, 2003
STEERING
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUT ON THE BOLT WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING GEAR TO THE STEERING COUPLING MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Complaints
45 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| AMG E55 | 3 | 70 |
| E320 | 2 | 214 |
| E350 | 0 | 7 |
| E500 | 3 | 125 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E320 · 3.2L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| E500 · 5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| E320 (Wagon) · 3.2L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| E320 4Matic (Wagon) · 3.2L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| E55 AMG · 5.4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 13 | 19 | 15 | — | — | $5,500 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.