U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Mercedes Benz E CLASS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

45 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

9,718 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 34 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 45 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	15	33.3%
Fuel system concerns	6	13.3%
Transmission and shifting	3	6.7%
Engine operation	3	6.7%
Electrical and battery issues	3	6.7%
Steering behavior	2	4.4%

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.

Electrical System

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Fuel System, Gasoline

Fuel/Propulsion System

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Air Bags

Equipment

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	6
Fuel System, Gasoline	5
Fuel/Propulsion System	5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3
Air Bags	2
Equipment	2

Electrical System: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Air Bags: 2; Equipment: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 11 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.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2002: 1; 2003: 9; 2004: 17; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10000362 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)

THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT SAYS MY SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MERCEDES SHOP NO LESS THAN 4 TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT SIMPLY RE-OCCURS AFTER EACH REPAIR. FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE…

Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000362 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10017030 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)

DEFECTIVE BRAKES. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1,440 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017030 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10433494 · 2011-10-28 (October 28, 2011)

THE CAR HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. THE GASOLINE ODOR PERMEATES THE CABIN AND, WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE, CAUSES A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF GAS FUMES THAT OVERWHELMS A THREE CAR GARAGE AS WELL AS THE 1000 SQUARE FEET LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE (EVEN WITH ALL ADJOINING DOORS CLOSED). SHOULD THE GASOLINE CONCENTRATION REACH THE PROPER LEVEL, IT MAY CREATE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD. ONCE THE TANK IS 1/8 EMPTY, THE FUEL ODOR GOES AWAY AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL THE GAS TANK IS ONCE AGAIN FULL. HAD AUTO CHECKED …

Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433494 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10433530 · 2011-10-29 (October 29, 2011)

VERY STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. FUMES COMPLETELY PERMEATE MY TWO CAR GARAGE AND ALSO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FUMES DISAPPEAR WHEN TANK LEVEL REACHES 7/8 FULL. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES ON THE WEB REGARDING STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN THE TANK IS FULL ON E MODEL MERCEDES YEARS 2003 TO 2006. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVELY AND/OR FIRE. I CONTACTED MERCEDES REQUESTING THE ISSUANCE OF A SERVICE RECALLED BASED ON THE APPARENT HIGH INCIDENCE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN TA…

Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433530 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10047007 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)

I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10083022 · 2004-07-30 (July 30, 2004)

1- VEHICLE (2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E55) WAS TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY (NJ). I WAS APPROACHING EXIT 109 WHEN A CAR ENTERING FROM THE RIGHT DECIDED TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, CUTTING ME OFF. *AK 10086185 2- WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS QUICKLY, THE DASH LIT UP RED, A WARNING BEEP CAME ON AND A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE TOLD ME "BRAKE MALFUNCTION-STOP VEHICLE" (A BIT IRONIC, HUH?). THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT TO THE FLOOR. I DOWNSHIFTED TWO GEARS AND TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT FINALLY HAD TO STOP THE CAR BY DOWNSHI…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,180 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083022 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10060856 · 2004-03-09 (March 9, 2004)

VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND SLOWS UNEXPECTEDLY. UPON ACCELERATION WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH AS IT IS ABOUT TO STALL.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,487 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060856 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10036734 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)

MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS AND SL CLASS 2003 2004 MODELS WITH ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS ARE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURES, SOMETIMES WITHIN 1000 MILES OF PURCHASE. ELECTRICAL FAILURES CAN LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO REAR BRAKES AND LIMITED USE OF THE FRONT BRAKES! SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUBBER AND ATTACHED WITH HOSE CLAMPS! I HAVE WORKED ON CARS FOR FIFTEEN YEARS AND HAD NOT SEEN A BRAKE FAILURE, BUT HAVE NOW SEEN THREE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. WHEN THESE VEHICLES AGE, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURES MAY BE POSSIBLE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036734 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10039260 · 2003-09-21 (September 21, 2003)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 17 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10071611 · 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE JERKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NINE TIMES, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED LOST OF POWER STEERING DUE TO FLUID LEAKING INTO THE GROUND. DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING GEAR BOX. ALSO, SUNROOF DOESN'T CLOSE. DEALER REPLACED SLIDING ROOF ANGLE BRACKET. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071611 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10436746 · 2011-11-22 (November 22, 2011)

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT GAVE ME A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE STATING THAT THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAY DOESN'T READ THE PROPER LEVEL, THE BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE, THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE FEATURES OF AUTO ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TILT, THE MIRRORS, AND THE SEATS ARE NOT WORKING. CHECKED FOR RECALLS, FOUND A SIMILAR RECALL IN JULY OF 2008, BUT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED! *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436746 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

45 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

75.6%Usable mileage34 / 45 records

95.6%Valid incident date43 / 45 records

100.0%Valid filing date45 / 45 records

95.6%Ordered incident and filing dates43 / 45 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2008
Electrical System	821.1% ODI 10219827 MERCEDES BENZ E320 YEAR 1994. MECHANIC SAYS I HAVE A DEFECTIVE ENGINE HARNESS. CAR SPARKS AND CAUGHT FIRE ONCE WHEN STARTED. THIS IS BECOMING A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS IN MERCEDES SOLD AROUND THE YEAR 1994. A SAFETY RECALL IS REQUIRED ASAP TO AVOID INJURY AND CONSUMER ROBBERY. *TR Look up ODI 10219827 at NHTSA ↗	628.6% ODI 10246053 · 155,104 mi THE WIRE HARNESS IS CRACKED. A/C COMPRESSOR STOPPED, AND THAT MADE RELAYS BLEW OUT. *TR Look up ODI 10246053 at NHTSA ↗	318.8% ODI 10350841 · 228,000 mi I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & LOST POWER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I ALMOST GOT KILLED, I FINALLY PULLED ON THE SHOULDER& EASED TO SERVICE ROAD & I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED, THE A/C WAS RUNNING ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED TO REV ENGINE UP BY MOVING THE CABLE LEVER MANUALLY; THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE IDLE, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO EWING MERCEDES BENZ THEY HAD TO ORDER THE WHOLE ENGINE HARNESS. IT WILL COST ME $1100 OR MORE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THIS WIRING HARNESS IS … Look up ODI 10350841 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.2% ODI 10018552 · 55,500 mi APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER FIRST STARTING THE CAR FOR THE DAY AND DRIVING 5 OR 6 MILES ON RURAL ROADS, I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR 20 OR 30 SECONDS AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT ON TO THE MAIN HIGHWAY. AT FIRST THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL I HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HALF WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THEN IT SLOWLY RESPONDED WITH A VERY LOW LEVEL OF POWER. ONCE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAD TO HOLD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN 50 MILES PER HOUR. SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE OTHERWISE I ASSU… Look up ODI 10018552 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	823.5% ODI 10003555 · 39,000 mi SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID SPILLED FROM CUP HOLDER IN 2000 E320 DURING BRAKING. DISABLED THE CAR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY DESTROYING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. CARBECAME STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. WHEN PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART, CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. TOLD BY MB DEALER IN FRESNO, CA THAT EVEN MINUTE AMOUNTS OF LIQUID WILL DISABLE THE CAR IN THIS WAY. CAR DISABLED IN SAME WAY IN MAY 2000 BUT WAS NEVER TOLD BY MB THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MOISTURE OR USING CUP HOLDER. NOT INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN CAR WAS LEASED IN 2000. Look up ODI 10003555 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 10157340 2001 BENZ E320 WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. TS NAR* THE CONSUMER NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL THE VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVABLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BEARINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND A NEW LEFT SPINDLE, ROTOR AND BRAKE PADS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (3 TIMES), FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, OIL LEVEL SENSOR, A/C CONT… Look up ODI 10157340 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10585495 · 102,000 mi I REITERATE ....THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP! MERCEDES BENZ INSTALLED POWER SEAT CONTROLLERS IN THIS CAR THAT FAIL VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS DESIGN FLAW CAUSES THE UNIT TO RUN POWER SEAT COMPONENTS CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, KEY REMOVED AND THE CAR IS LOCKED. WITHIN 2-11 HOURS, THE ACTIVITY OF THIS FAULT SEAT CONTROLLER UNIT DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY! WHEN YOU TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR AS PER MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, THE PROCESS CAUSES THE REAR LEFT SAM (SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND ACTUATOR MODULE DRIVER SIDE) TO LOSE PARTI… Look up ODI 10585495 at NHTSA ↗	715.6% ODI 10025906 · 3,800 mi THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT SAYS MY SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MERCEDES SHOP NO LESS THAN 3 TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT SIMPLY RE-OCCURS AFTER EACH REPAIR. *AK Look up ODI 10025906 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10065011 · 4,000 mi ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK Look up ODI 10065011 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10151126 · 5,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 03/28/06. JB Look up ODI 10151126 at NHTSA ↗	110.0% ODI 10297534 · 21,670 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2006 E350. THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS TO SHORT AND COMES APART DISABLING ALL AIRBAGS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE COMPANY WON'T PAY TO CORRECT IT. THE REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVE AT $715.00 THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY DEFECT!! *TR Look up ODI 10297534 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	212.5% ODI 10125206 I HAVE A 1996 MERCEDES E300D AND RECENTLY I LEARNED FROM AN INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD ABOUT A SAFETY DEFECT ON THIS CHASSIS INVOLVING THE FRONT SUSPENSION. SPECIFICALLY IT'S THE UPPER SPRING SUPPORT OR PERCH AS SOME PEOPLE CALL IT WHICH CAN RUST AWAY AND BREAK FROM THE SUPPORTING BACK WALL, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE RUSTING IS CAUSED BY OR AT LEAST CONTRIBUTED TO BY A POOR-QUALITY SEALANT THAT MERCEDES USES AROUND THAT AREA. AFTER SOME TIME THIS SEALANT LOSES ITS ADHESION OR STARTS TO CRACK, TRAPPING WATER UNDERNEAT… Look up ODI 10125206 at NHTSA ↗	1436.8% ODI 10018982 FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING FLEW OFF CAR WHILE DRIVING AND TOOK A LARGE CHUNK OF THE TIRE WITH IT. *NLM Look up ODI 10018982 at NHTSA ↗	520.8% ODI 10101797 THE TOP SPRING MOUNT BROKE OFF THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A CHECK UP, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE OTHER RIGHT SPRING NEEDED REPAIRS AS WELL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. AK THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. SC *JB Look up ODI 10101797 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10162595 · 94,663 mi PURCHASED A USED 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300 TURBO DIESEL END OF FEB 2006 WITH 92,494 MILES FROM A JAGUAR/LAND ROVER DEALER. TRADED IN A 1985 MERCEDES BENZ 300 TURBO DIESEL. BROUGHT CAR TO THE MECHANIC THAT DOES ALL MY WORK TO HAVE ALL FLUIDS CHANGED AND THE CAR CHECKED. MECHANIC CALLED TO RECOMMEND I NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP WAS REPLACED. I VISITED THE MECHANIC AND VIEWED THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT HIS FINGER ON THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP HIS FINGER NAIL CHIPPED OFF FLAKES OF METAL IT WAS ENOUGH T… Look up ODI 10162595 at NHTSA ↗	12.9% ODI 10224410 · 108,000 mi SPRING PERCH FAILED, CAUSING LEFT FRONT SPRING TO BRAKE AND COLLAPSE ONTO TIRE.. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *TR Look up ODI 10224410 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	1231.6% ODI 10025241 · 40,000 mi THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 IS CRACKED BECAUSE OF THE USE OF POOR WIRING INSULATION CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. TO RESTART IT, I HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE SHIFTER GATE TO P, TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY BACK, AND FINALLY RESTART IT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MANY ACCIDENTS BECUASE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE BENZ TECHS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT MERCEDES-BENZ REFUSES TO MAKE IT A RECALL. *AK Look up ODI 10025241 at NHTSA ↗	628.6% ODI 10171241 · 216,000 mi DURING ENGINE WORK MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD DEGRADED AND EXPOSED BARE WIRES IN SOME AREAS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDED FANS RUNNING CONSTANTLY AND INTERMITTENT AC OPERATION. MY RESEARCH INDICATED THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE MERCEDES-BENZ W124 BODY STYLE WIRING HARNESS, INCLUDING ASSOCIATED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS, SMOKE AND IN SOME CASES FIRES. APPARENTLY THE HARNESS HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO DEGRADE EASILY UPON THE END OF ITS LIFE IN A LANDFILL, BUT THE HARNESSES ARE DEGRADING WHILE … Look up ODI 10171241 at NHTSA ↗	318.8% ODI 10170578 · 110,000 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DISINTEGRATION IN MY 1996 E300D MERCEDES SEDAN. *NM Look up ODI 10170578 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 10067575 · 4,900 mi INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE DISTRONIC RADAR-CONTROLLED CRUISE CONTROL. IN EXTREME WET CONDITIONS THE CAR IN FRONT IS INTERMITTENTLY NOT SEEN BY THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT. THIS FAULT PERSISTS FOR SOME DAYS AFTER THE WET CONDITIONS SUBSIDE. THE CAR'S FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM SOMETIMES DETECTS THIS AS A FAULT, BUT RESETS ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY LEADING TO THE DANGEROUS CONDITION RECURRING RANDOMLY. *AK Look up ODI 10067575 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front	12.6% ODI 10268748 · 140,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY IS ONLY VALID IN CANADA AND NOT THE UNITED STATES. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HA… Look up ODI 10268748 at NHTSA ↗	14.8% ODI 10247655 · 270,000 mi 1. ERRATIC STEERING. 2.SECOND OCCURRENCE. 3.BEING REPLACED & OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR Look up ODI 10247655 at NHTSA ↗	425.0% ODI 10121680 RIGHT FRONT SPRING PERCH MOUNT BROKE ON MY 1996 E300D MERCEDES WHILE BEGINNING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP SIGN CONTROLLED INTERSECTION. VEHICLE GAVE NO FOREWARNING SIGNS, AND HAD IN-FACT JUST BEEN SERVICED WEEK PRIOR. MERCEDES DENIES ANY DEFECT, AND I HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING AND REPAIR COMPLETELY. THANK GOD IT DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEED! I AM NOW READING THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS OF MERCEDES OWNERS, AND I JUST WANTED TO REPORT MY OWN EXPERIENCE! Look up ODI 10121680 at NHTSA ↗	410.5% ODI 10000808 · 64,000 mi SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION COMPONENT AND FRONT FRAME RAIL. RUST HOLE BIG ENOUGH TO PUT A HUMAN FIST INTO. APPROXIMATELY $3000 IN RUST REPAIRS, ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 67,000 MILES ON IT. *JB Look up ODI 10000808 at NHTSA ↗	28.3% ODI 10159242 · 140,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, THE FRONT END COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPRING PERCH FRACTURED. THE SPRING PERCH WAS REPLACED. Look up ODI 10159242 at NHTSA ↗	646.2% ODI 10155942 · 7,500 mi FAIL OF SPRING PERCH ON 1999 MERCEDES E-CLASS DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING PROCESS POSSIBLE RESULTING IN FATAL INJURY. *JB Look up ODI 10155942 at NHTSA ↗	12.9% ODI 10416902 · 148,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SPRING TOWER HAD FRACTURED. HE ALSO NOTICED CORROSION ON THE SPRING TOWER. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. Look up ODI 10416902 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10232529 · 53,000 mi FRONT STRUTS FAILED, AIR SUSPENSION (AIR LEAK) AND WHEELS COLLAPSED UP INTO WHEEL WELLS. THE FRONT WHEELS COULD NOT BE TURNED AT ALL; IF TURNED THE TIRES WOULD HAVE RUBBED ON THE WHEEL WELLS RESULTING IN SUDDEN DEFLATION. THIS COLLAPSE OCCURED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOLLOWING 140 MILES OF INTERSTATE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE LEAK OCCURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AS THE COMPUTER INDICATED MY MPG HAD DROPPED 2 MPG COMPARED TO EARLIER IN THE DAY. THERE WERE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. (SENT FROM GERMANY), INDICATING EITHE… Look up ODI 10232529 at NHTSA ↗	12.2% ODI 10344140 · 31,690 mi I OWN A MERCEDES BENZ E-500, 2003, WITH ONLY 31,700 MILES ON IT. ON FRIDAY, JULY 16, I HAD IT SERVICED AT MY LOCAL MB DEALER IN LARCHMONT, NY. ON SUNDAY, JULY 18, AS I STARTED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING "STOP. CAR TOO LOW". I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WILL LOOK AT IT BUT, I BELIEVE IT IS A FAILURE OF THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) AIRMATIC SUSPENSION, THE CAR IS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT, AFTER ONLY 31,700 MILES, THAT SUCH A PART CAN FAIL. I'M RATHER HESITANT TO DRIVE IT TO THE D… Look up ODI 10344140 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10281886 · 56,500 mi ON OR ABOUT JUNE 22, 2009, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE 64 WHEN THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE AND THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK TO IMMEDIATELY BREAK. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR FELL ONTO THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE MERCEDES DEALER COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CORRESPONDED BY E-MAIL WITH 2 MERCEDES REPRESENTATIVES WHO TOLD ME THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE WA… Look up ODI 10281886 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring	1128.9% ODI 10026308 THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED WHILE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A HIGH SPEED MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL TO ENGAGE. THIS REDUCED THE ENGINE'S POWER TO APPROXIMATELY 20%, SLOWING THE CAR DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. 1994, MERCEDES BENZ, 320.*AK Look up ODI 10026308 at NHTSA ↗	419.0% ODI 10136061 · 155,000 mi MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS CURRENTLY DETERIORATING CAUSING THE WIRES TO BE EXPOSED TO AN INTENSE AMOUNT OF HEAT. *JB Look up ODI 10136061 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.6% ODI 10222207 · 201,000 mi MY MB E300D'S ENGINE WILL CUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT STARTED GRADUALLY JUST CUTTING OFF WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION OR WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP. FEELING IT WAS ANYTHING FROM FUEL TO COMPUTER PROBLEMS I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THEY ADVISED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND WANTED TO START REPLACING PARTS LIKE RELAYS. THE PROBLEM CAME TO A HEAD WHILE MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING ON AN INTERSTATE RAMP INTO TRAFFIC RUNNING 70MPH. THE CAR CUT OFF CAUSING NEAR CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS. THIS IS OF COURSE UNACCEPTABLE. MER… Look up ODI 10222207 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	37.9% ODI 10074886 · 112,000 mi 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E420- WIRING HARNESS IS DECAYING. THE WIRES ARE BRITTLE AND MELTING TOGETHER. THE INSULATION AROUND THE WIRE IS GONE; AS A RESULT, THE WIRE IS BARE AND UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE SUFFER FROM ALL TYPES OF PROBLEMS; SUCH AS, STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, SURGING IN TRAFFIC JAMS, AND GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY GO HAYWIRE.*AK Look up ODI 10074886 at NHTSA ↗	29.5% ODI 10007091 THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND WOULD NOT RESTART.*JB Look up ODI 10007091 at NHTSA ↗	16.3% ODI 10042638 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ STALLS OUT.MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. JB *NLM Look up ODI 10042638 at NHTSA ↗	12.6% ODI 8012522 ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE LOST WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. SLC Look up ODI 8012522 at NHTSA ↗	312.5% ODI 10050830 · 74,000 mi FAILURE OF HARMONIC CRANKSHAFT BALANCER IN 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320. *LA Look up ODI 10050830 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 10022108 INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 MERCEDES E320. AK THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE WASHER TUBE CAME OFF AND CAUSED WASHER FLUID TO LEAK. THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED WHICH CAUSED IT TO READ INCORRECTLY. THE HEAD REST MOTOR FAILED. SCC *NLM Look up ODI 10022108 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	36.7% ODI 10038749 MY 2003 E 320 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES BECAUSE WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT TIMES IT WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. *PH Look up ODI 10038749 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10151126 · 5,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 03/28/06. JB Look up ODI 10151126 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	511.1% ODI 10468261 · 103,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPEATED THE DEALER'S SENTIMENTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000. Look up ODI 10468261 at NHTSA ↗	320.0% ODI 10467522 · 60,000 mi I CAME OUT TO MY GARAGE ONE MORNING TO FIND A MY CAR WREAKING OF FUEL. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR AROUND FOR A FEW TO SEE IF IT THE PUNGENT ODOR WOULD GO DISSIPATE ALTOGETHER. DURING THIS TIME, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO LET HIM DO A QUICK ONCE-OVER BEFORE HE LEFT FOR THE DAY. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST. BEING THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS AND WHATNOT TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT, I HAD IT TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ. I WAS NOT GOING TO LET MY GIRLFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO WAY, NO HOW. SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE(M… Look up ODI 10467522 at NHTSA ↗	555.6% ODI 10475532 · 40,876 mi I FILLED MY GAS TANK AND THE NEXT DAY I SMELLED GAS BOTH NEAR MY DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL AND INSIDE THE CAR IN THE REAR SEAT AREA. I FILLED THE CAR AS I ALWAYS DID UNTIL CLICK AND I AM SURE NONE SPILLED, AS I AM VERY FUSSY ABOUT MY CAR. I CANNOT PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AS IT FILLS THE GARAGE WITH FUMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW UPON FUELING UP. IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I HAVE SEEN WHERE OTHERS I KNOW HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL MERCEDES. *TR Look up ODI 10475532 at NHTSA ↗	330.0% ODI 10458202 · 50,000 mi FUEL SMELL WHEN VEHICLE IS FILLED UP ...FUEL LEAKING AT TOP OF FUEL TANK ...THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE W211 E CLASS CARS FROM 2003 TO 2009 DEALER WANTS 2000.00 TO REPAIR THIS FLAW IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MERCEDES WILL NOT HELP AT ALL WITH THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10458202 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	37.9% ODI 10155874 · 108,000 mi I NEED A NEW HEAD GASKET TO REPAIR AN OIL LEAK. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING TO THE OIL LEAK HE HAD TO TAKE OFF THE WIRING HARNESS UPON WHICH THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATED IN HIS HAND. I AM VERY CONCERNED THE MB WOULD YOU BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL TO MANUFACTURER AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS $1,000 AND NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW SINCE THE REPAIRING THE EXISTING HARNESS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *JB Look up ODI 10155874 at NHTSA ↗	314.3% ODI 10232360 · 187,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, BUT IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE. HE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. DAYS AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:W… Look up ODI 10232360 at NHTSA ↗	212.5% ODI 10202793 · 125,500 mi ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TOWING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS HAD VIRTUALLY DISINTEGRATED. PARTS AND LABOR TO REPAIR APPROX. $1000. FILING NOW ONLY BECAUSE I JUST FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AROUND MY YEAR (1996). *TR Look up ODI 10202793 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	514.7% ODI 10130400 DT: ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY. THEY PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK. CONSUMER WAITED 30-45 MINUTES AND THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN MOVED APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MILES AND THE IT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY WERE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID COME ON. THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THIS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED A MONTH PRIOR, THE CONSUMER HAD SPILLED COFFEE IN THE GEAR SHIFTER.*AK Look up ODI 10130400 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 10111089 · 14,500 mi TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK POSITION TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. BF THE PLASTIC PIECE ATTACHED TO THE FENDER WAS LOOSE AND THE TIRE WAS RUBBING THE PLASTIC. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK WHICH HAD COME FROM THE PAN IN THE ENGINE. SC WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, HE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE IN THE VEHICLE. Look up ODI 10111089 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	17–2,500 mi	500 mi	5	ODI 10025906 · 3,800 mi THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT SAYS MY SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MERCEDES SHOP NO LESS THAN 3 TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT SIMPLY RE-OCCURS AFTER EACH REPAIR. AK Look up ODI 10025906 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10039260 · 17 mi ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. JB Look up ODI 10039260 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	9,718 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10017030 · 1,440 mi DEFECTIVE BRAKES. JB Look up ODI 10017030 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10060597 · 8,945 mi TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. MERCEDES BENZ 2003 E500.....I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND WITHIN 20 FEET, I RECEIVED A WARNING DISPLAY TO STOP VEHICLE, BRAKES INOPERATIVE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR WITH PARKING BRAKE. THIS CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM IS A "BRAKE BY WIRE" TYPE. JB Look up ODI 10060597 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10173848 · 30,001 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TWO RECALL LETTERS WERE RECEIVED REGARDING THE BRAKES, #05V133000 AND #04V296000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE REPAIR WORK DID NOT NEED TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT THEN ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE WORK WAS NOT DONE, AND THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIPS DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE WORK NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. Look up ODI 10173848 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	57,000–80,000 mi	78,000 mi	5	ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10433494 · 57,000 mi THE CAR HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. THE GASOLINE ODOR PERMEATES THE CABIN AND, WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE, CAUSES A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF GAS FUMES THAT OVERWHELMS A THREE CAR GARAGE AS WELL AS THE 1000 SQUARE FEET LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE (EVEN WITH ALL ADJOINING DOORS CLOSED). SHOULD THE GASOLINE CONCENTRATION REACH THE PROPER LEVEL, IT MAY CREATE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD. ONCE THE TANK IS 1/8 EMPTY, THE FUEL ODOR GOES AWAY AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL THE GAS TANK IS ONCE AGAIN FULL. HAD AUTO CHECKED … Look up ODI 10433494 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10433530 · 107,000 mi VERY STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. FUMES COMPLETELY PERMEATE MY TWO CAR GARAGE AND ALSO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FUMES DISAPPEAR WHEN TANK LEVEL REACHES 7/8 FULL. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES ON THE WEB REGARDING STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN THE TANK IS FULL ON E MODEL MERCEDES YEARS 2003 TO 2006. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVELY AND/OR FIRE. I CONTACTED MERCEDES REQUESTING THE ISSUANCE OF A SERVICE RECALLED BASED ON THE APPARENT HIGH INCIDENCE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN TA… Look up ODI 10433530 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	95,950 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10468261 · 103,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPEATED THE DEALER'S SENTIMENTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000. Look up ODI 10468261 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10476883 · 210,000 mi EACH TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL TANK EMITS VAPORS. IT SEEMED SOMEWHAT TOLERABLE IN THE PAST, THOUGH THIS PAST WEEK, IT WAS ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH WALLS AND UP 2 STORIES. IT'S PAST TOLERABLE AND JUST DOWNRIGHT UNACCEPTABLE NOW. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY OWNER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FRANKLY I'M AMAZED A COMPANY WITH THE "PEDIGREE" OF MERCEDES BENZ HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO UNSOLVED ACROSS THE MARKET. TR Look up ODI 10476883 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10550379 · 53,000 mi STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT AFTER FILL UP. THIS COINCIDED WITH ACCURACY ISSUES OF THE FUEL GAUGE, WHERE VEHICLE NOW RUNS OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE INDICATES 1/4 TANK. THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS HAPPENS NOW REPEATEDLY WITH EVERY FILL UP, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE SOME FORM OF LEAKAGE AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. TR Look up ODI 10550379 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Too few reports for a range	14,230 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10083232 · 14,230 mi NEW BRAKES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE , AND THEY FAILED WHILE IT WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT GRAB COMPLETELY, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. AK SEE VOQ 10083022, 10086185. DSY Look up ODI 10083232 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10086879 · 41,900 mi 100% BRAKE FAILURE/LOST I LEFT MY OFFICE AT 02:30 AM. 3.5 MILES FROM HOME, AS I'M DRIVING UP HILL APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 55 MILES PER HR TEMP. OF 75 DEGREES DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. I APPROACH ONE OF THE INTERSECTIONS AS I PRESS ON THE BRAKE THERE IS 100% BRAKE FAILURE THE PEDAL FEELS NORMAL NOT HARD NOT SOFT NORMAL, THE WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATES A RED LETTERING DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP! VEHICLE BRAKE (SOMETHING) I CANT REMEMBER THE INSTRUCTIONS OTHER THAN STOP VEHICLE BUT I COULD NOT STOP AT ALL. I PROCEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT AND FLICKERING M… Look up ODI 10086879 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10109036 · 3,905 mi INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COMMENCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN IT CAUSES A LACK OF BRAKING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 10109036 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	1,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	2 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10000362 · 2 mi THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT SAYS MY SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MERCEDES SHOP NO LESS THAN 4 TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT SIMPLY RE-OCCURS AFTER EACH REPAIR. FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE… Look up ODI 10000362 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment	Too few reports for a range	1,259 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10039260 · 17 mi ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB Look up ODI 10039260 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2006: 0 complaints · 2008: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2006	0	0	0
2008	0	3	3

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2006	10	0	0
2008	5	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Fuel System, Gasoline	Fuel/Propulsion System	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Air Bags	Equipment
Electrical System	—	0	1 ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	3 ODI 10038749 MY 2003 E 320 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES BECAUSE WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT TIMES IT WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. *PH Look up ODI 10038749 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10039260 · 17 mi ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB Look up ODI 10039260 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	1 ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3 ODI 10038749 MY 2003 E 320 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES BECAUSE WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT TIMES IT WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. *PH Look up ODI 10038749 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10047007 · 500 mi I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ST… Look up ODI 10047007 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Equipment	2 ODI 10039260 · 17 mi ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB Look up ODI 10039260 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10041141 · 2,500 mi THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK … Look up ODI 10041141 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

8 mentions · 17.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 14,180 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10036734

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ODI 10060597 · 8,945 mi

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. MERCEDES BENZ 2003 E500.....I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND WITHIN 20 FEET, I RECEIVED A WARNING DISPLAY TO STOP VEHICLE, BRAKES INOPERATIVE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR WITH PARKING BRAKE. THIS CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM IS A "BRAKE BY WIRE" TYPE. *JB

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ODI 10083022 · 14,180 mi

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Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

4 mentions · 8.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 78,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10456826 · 78,000 mi

FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE NEAR REAR LEFT TIRE. FOUND FUEL AROUND FUEL SENSOR UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. MOST EVIDENT AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. FIRST DISCOVERED LEAK AT 70K MILEAGE AND AGAIN ON 128K. *TR

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ODI 10535366

I PURCHASED THE MERCEDES IN APRIL 2013 OF THIS YEAR AND LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE CAR I HAD MAJOR REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR. I SLIGHTLY SMELLED FUEL VAPORS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR HOWEVER I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A POSSIBLE AFTER EFFECT OF ME REFUELING THE CAR. OVER THE COURSE OF TWO MONTHS THE FUMES BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AND I STAY WITH A MIGRAINE EVERYDAY. TODAY WAS UNBEARABLE AS IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND IT IS BECOMING HARD TO CONCENTRATE AND IT FEELS LIKE MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO BURST. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER AS THIS IS TH…

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ODI 10550379 · 53,000 mi

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT AFTER FILL UP. THIS COINCIDED WITH ACCURACY ISSUES OF THE FUEL GAUGE, WHERE VEHICLE NOW RUNS OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE INDICATES 1/4 TANK. THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS HAPPENS NOW REPEATEDLY WITH EVERY FILL UP, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE SOME FORM OF LEAKAGE AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. *TR

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Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

4 mentions · 8.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 48,069 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10054887 · 3,288 mi

MERCEDES 2003 E320: THE PARKTRONICS IN THE CAR, ARE SET OFF BY CONSTANT RAIN OVER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, IN SPEEDS UP TO 10MPH. THE DOUBLE RED LIGHTS GO OFF AND THE PARKTRONICS WARNING BUZZERS GO OFF, WARNING THAT YOU HAVE HIT A SOLID OBJECT. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF A KROGER GROCERY STORE AND MY PARKTRONICS WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT OFF WARNING THAT I HAD HIT SOMETHING SOLID. I TOOK THE CAR INTO PARK PLACE MERCEDES IN DALLAS TEXAS AND THEY REPLACED MY PARKTRONICS TWICE, THEN THE THIRD TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME…

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ODI 10054897 · 7,237 mi

THE PURGE VALUE FOR THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM, MAKES A TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AT IDLE, AS IF THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL. WHEN I TOOK THIS IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE TAPPING NOISE WAS, THEY EXPLAINED THAT A LOUD METAL TAPPING NOISE WAS NORMAL ON THE MERCEDES. THEY STATED THEY WOULD PUT A NEW "PURGE VALUE" IN THE CAR TO SEE IF THAT WOULD QUITE THE LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. UPON DOING SO, THE CAR BEGAN JERKING BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM BECOMES GRADUALLY WORSE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, T…

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ODI 10504889 · 120,000 mi

THE WARNING LIGHT OF BRAKES FAILURE CAME ON AT HIGHWAY EXIT AT 65MPH AND THE BRAKE PADDLE HIT THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES. PULLED OVER AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN MID MARCH AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS THE SBC PUMP THAT FAILED WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MERCEDES BENZ UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 484656 BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 02/28/13 AND SINCE I WAS 15 DAYS OVER THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED. CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF NA AND ASKED THEM THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WAS NOT TOLD BY ANYONE ABOUT THIS TSB AND THEY SHOULD COVER…

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Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

3 mentions · 6.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 4,487 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10054897 · 7,237 mi

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ODI 10060856 · 4,487 mi

VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND SLOWS UNEXPECTEDLY. UPON ACCELERATION WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH AS IT IS ABOUT TO STALL.

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ODI 10071611 · 3,000 mi

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Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 6.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 4,487 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10047007 · 500 mi

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ODI 10060856 · 4,487 mi

VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND SLOWS UNEXPECTEDLY. UPON ACCELERATION WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH AS IT IS ABOUT TO STALL.

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ODI 10096507 · 5,000 mi

CAR PURCHASED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT FLETCHER JOHES, NEWPORT BEACH, CA..A TOTAL OF 20 PLUS FAULTS AND 13 WEEKS IN REPAIR OUT OF 12 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP...HAD ASKED DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATOR. DEALER WANTS US TO TRADE IN AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR. AFTER PAYING $50,000 FOR A QUALITY NAME, THIS SEEMS LIKE A JOKE. 1. FOUL AMONIA SMALL FROM A/C WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED. DEALER CHANGED VENTILATION FILTER BUT SMELL CONTINUES. 2. RADIO BUTTON STICKS. DEALER SAYS MB DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THIS. CAR IS WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER F…

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Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 2.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 3,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10071611 · 3,000 mi

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Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b