2003 Mercedes Benz E320
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › E320 › 2003
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
2 recalls name the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. Newest first.
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.
A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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
A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
I inherited my dad's 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 when he passed away last year. He kept the car in pristine condition. About a month ago while driving it, I noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. The odor is strong just after filling the tank, and then it disappears at appox. 3 quarters of a tank. This issue has been physically challenging for me, making me dizzy and giving me migraines. I'm also very concerned about the safety issues relating to gasoline fumes inside the car... My understanding is that this is a common issue for the said Mercedes Benz model and year. It is a dangerous parts defect that is unacceptable.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-320. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the braking system became inoperable. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated after the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 2005110001. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the sensotronic brake control (SBC) braking system. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
MB USA is not honoring Recall 2005110001 for 25 years per NHTSA Bulletin. The Mercedes Benz Representative said that the recall is closed for a 2003 car, but which should not be closed until 2028 for my car. The Mercedes Benz Representative agreed that she does see the car matches the 2003-2006 E class with chassis of A336226 falling between A0- and A7- for the recall. The Mercedes Benz Representative gave no explanation as to why the 25 year recall has closed prior to 2031. The faulty SBC has caused numerous problems. If the recall is not honored, I plan to file a lawsuit against Mercedes. A formal complaint is being filed with the NHTSA for MB USA's lack of adhering to the recall for the full 25 years.
Report number: cal-03-07 new car assessment program (ncap) frontal barrier impact test
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor throughout the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak coming from underneath the vehicle, above the fuel tank. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,800.
*1. The Fuel Tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned. *2. After filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3The car has been taken to a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center and was told that the problem was the gas tank and system/components. *4.The car was inspected by a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center Mechanic *5. There were NO warning lamps or messages on the dashboard or message center on car. The only symptoms of the problem was the strong odor of gasoline fumes after fuel fill ups.
System restraint malfunction seems like it the passenger side airbag won’t let you no if on or of
Everytime I get in my car, the battery is dead! I have purchased several brand new batteries, and the same thing! I purchased a new battery, and my wife and I went on vacation, and as we was headed back home, we began to smell a real foul oder! We stop to the gas station, and looked everywhere, but didn't see anything! As we continue to drive, and turned in the drive way the battery light came on! I opened the trunk, and there was the foul smell, and the battery was so hot it could have caught fire, luckily we was home
Brakes failed
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact removed the rear seat where the fuel tank was located and discovered that fuel was leaking into the vehicle underneath the rear seat instead of going into the fuel tank. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
After fueling up, a smell of gas occurs. Slight gas puddle forms under the car after every fuel up. Drops gas gauge down and after that no more smell of fuel but still slight puddle of gas after leaving the car parked. Noticed it about a month ago and it seems to get worse. Doesn't seem safe knowing the car is leaking fuel.
Dealership failed to fix and inspect my sbc pump which lead to my vehicle being totaled and losing esp.
When my windows are down and im driving you can smell gasoline very strongly in the car. Even worse in the back seat area. Especially if my gas tank IS filled. Im constantly getting a warning to check the gas cap and the gas light goes off flashing then my check engine light will go on.
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz E320. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the contact hit a pot hole which caused the passenger's side frontal air bag to deploy without warning. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact spoke with mercedes-benz of atlanta south (3775 royal s pkwy, atlanta, ga 30349) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in an air bag recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. *bf consumer stated since the incident, manufacture sent a letter stating there was a recall with the airbags.*jb
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz E320. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sun roof glass detached from the vehicle. An unknown dealer was contacted and the contact was quoted a cost to replace the glass portion of the sun roof. The sun roof glass was replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired however, the sun roof was no longer operable. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Fuel smell coming from within cabin first noticed october 2018 told it was probably was charcoal filter not a big deal when filling tank with fuel it sometimes happens, and was recently noticed when tires where changed that fuel smell and looked like leakage of gas. Was told this was a known defect and as the second owner was never informed in any capacity. This IS a safety concern which in my opinion if they knew, all owners should have been notified asap. I am not sure what I can do, or can be done, but this IS certainly not acceptable if it IS a known defect. This was noticed when vehicle was not moving. I want the american public to know, we may have others out their with the same problem not knowing this. What a shame for mercedes if they have not contacted people. I started reviewing what I could find on web sites, attached IS a nhtsa document.
When filling fuel tank very strong smell of gas inside of car and outside. When to mercedes dealership and explained the fault and they wanted $5000 to correct issue.found out there was a safety recall on this issue, and they refused to expedite as they said it was for 15 years and that had expired. No recall notices had been sent to me or the previous owner.i have had car for 4 years, previos owner had it for 6.contacted head office in atlanta still would not cover the issue
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz E-320. The contact stated the brakes and spc warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brakes and sensors were replaced however, the failure recurred. While driving at 35 mph the brake pedal was depressed however but failed to slow and stop the vehicle as designed. The contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the brake pedal fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to w.i. Simonson mercedes-benz (1626 wilshire blvd, santa monica, ca 90403 (855) 677-2690), where it was diagnosed that the spc reservoir was defective, and hydraulic unit also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,722.
I have a 2003 E320 mercedes benz with sbc brake system. The company has admitted having issues with the system and has extended the warranty to 25 years on the sbc pump. My car has on about 4 or 5 incidents gave me a red warning on my dash to stop the vehicle and see workshop. Each time this happens my braking ability IS significantly reduced to the point of needing a lot of distance to stop. I have had the brake system flushed, that worked for a while. Around january of 2018 the dealer updated some kind of software package. January 2020 the brake issue happen again. I am being told that unless a certain default code IS indicated they cannot replace the pump. I told mercedes customer service that how will I know that the next time my braking IS reduced will be my last time that will cause death or property damage to other drivers or my self before this default code comes up, a code no one will tell me what it IS. I was told that they understood my concern but until this default code comes up they cannot replace the sbc . I find that statement to be not consider of life and property damage on our national highways
Dealer claims mb has no recall on this car even though nhtsa has a recall number: 19v918 for glass panel detaching from vehicle. Please advise me of next steps to get dealer compliance.
Brake failure occurred with no prior warning. brakes are electronically controlled and complete loss of braking occurred while vehicle was in motion. red "brake" and "ABS" lights in dash started flashing along with continuous beeping. was able to bring vehicle to a stop within parking lot by using parking brake. upon shutting off and restarting engine, vehicle regained braking. car will not be driven until issue IS addressed.
Check engine light goes on and off for days at a time . brake lights on dash stay on all the time ABS will also come on while driving and my car will stop . I have to force the car into park ... Pump my brakes the breaks make a sound and then they start working again .... There IS a humming noice when I start my car as well as the seat belt light goes on and off even with my seals belt on.
Gas tank leaks, car IS 2 years out of coverage for gas tank. The original program did not leave much room for 2003 owners to be eligible. The tank leak at the top IS an inherent design flaw that mercedes admits IS a problem but washes their hands of it after the program eligibility expiration. There IS a noticeable gas smell coming from the left rear wheel area and the leak can be seen coming from the top of the tank when the fuel filter access plate IS removed.
TL* the contact owned a 2004 mercedes-benz E320. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The front end was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained chest and torso injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 193,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz E320. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning while turning. The contact stated that all of the power windows became inoperative, as well as the horn and brakes. The vehicle continued to accelerate independently and was unable to be stopped. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery and alternator warning indicators flashed on the instrument panel. The contact replaced the battery and the alternator, but the failure recurred. The battery was disconnected and reconnected several times in an attempt to correct the failure. A dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.