2003 Mercedes Benz 500
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › 500 › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Mercedes Benz 500. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
11 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
The front passenger seat belt does not extend out and does not work properly during hot weather. *tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
In june 2012 the car did not pass inspection and we were told we needed a new gas cap. we got a gas cap and it passed inspection. since then we have had a strong fuel smell when the gas tank IS filled completely. if we only fill the gas tank about 3/4 or less, there IS no gas smell. we recently…
In june 2012 the car did not pass inspection and we were told we needed a new gas cap. we got a gas cap and it passed inspection. since then we have had a strong fuel smell when the gas tank IS filled completely. if we only fill the gas tank about 3/4 or less, there IS no gas smell. we recently had the car serviced and the mechanic told us the gas cap needed to be replaced and a seal/cap in an overfill tank under the rear seat was loose. we replaced the gas cap again and the cap to the overfill tank was tightened. we filled the tank full and have a very strong smell of gas so those repairs did not fix the problem. in a review of some internet research, we saw that nhtsa and mercedes-benz were jointly investigating a fuel leakage in the upper part of the gas tank for e-class mercedes produced between 2003 - 2008. we think we have one of those fuel leaks. we want to sell the car because we have purchased another vehicle but do not want to sell it until we have fixed this fuel problem. *tr
- Suspension
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
- Fuel/propulsion system
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic
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…
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
- Electrical system
While parked the battery died. as a result, the vehicle would not unlock. *Ak the vehicle had multiple electrical system problems. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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
- Tires
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…
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 way to work leaving the same doctors appt, I proceded to head to her assistrance and advised her to pull further off the shoulder into the grass which she did, I arrived to her location approximatly 45 min later and there was still no assistance there, about 30 min after I arrived one of the I75 road rangers arrived and helped change the tire which was a michelen MXV4 plus radial XSE4, after the tire was replaced we were proceding to the mercedes dealer in pembroke pine to get the tire replaced when my wife phoned me that the car was not riding correctly and pulling to the right , before she could get to the next exit maybe a half a mile the oppisite tire disinigrated with the whole side of the tire comming off, we again pulled over and called mercedes again and was told since we canceled the first call we would have to wait over an hour and would have to pay to tow the car since we had no spare which was used eariler. We then left the car and proceded to the pembroke pines mercedes dealer where they arranged to tow the car, we went back and waited another hour and a half for the tow truck, once the car arrived at mercedes the service advisor stateed many possible reasons for the problem including underinflation and possibly vandilism which I really doubt.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension system
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Serious fuel tank leak resulting from possible design/manufacturer defect or damage in shipping requiring replacement of tank. mercedes will not allow my investigator to inspect tank. mr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10034306Mercedes: airbag durability and reliability. Air bag srs control module (N2/2) does not have a set shelf life and will normally be reliable for the life of a vehicle. With 164, 216 221, 251 and newer, the airbag control unit can be reset five times. With modes 202, 210 and newer, the airbag control unit can be reset three times. Earlier models would have to have their airbag control unit and triggered restrain components changed only after an accident. No models or model years listed.
Every Mercedes Benz 500 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.