MERCEDES-BENZ E320 · model year

2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320

281 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003MERCEDES-BENZE320 carries 281 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 E320 is fuel/propulsion system with 71 filings, followed by service brakes (57) and electrical system (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2003 E320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

281
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

281 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM71
SERVICE BRAKES57
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE18
AIR BAGS16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16
SUSPENSION10
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)7
ENGINE7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
POWER TRAIN4
EQUIPMENT4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3

Recent Complaints

20241130FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20240715SERVICE BRAKES

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.

20240715SERVICE BRAKES

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.

20230725AIR BAGS

REPORT NUMBER: CAL-03-07 NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST

20230725SERVICE BRAKES

REPORT NUMBER: CAL-03-07 NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST

20230725ENGINE

REPORT NUMBER: CAL-03-07 NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST

20230707FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 202,800

20230305FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

*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.

20230305ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

*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.

20230305ENGINE

*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.

20221108AIR BAGS

System restraint malfunction seems like it the passenger side airbag won’t let you no if on or of

20221108AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

System restraint malfunction seems like it the passenger side airbag won’t let you no if on or of

20220915ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20220715SERVICE BRAKES

Brakes failed

20220711FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 73,000

20220102FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20200924CrashSERVICE BRAKES

DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIX AND INSPECT MY SBC PUMP WHICH LEAD TO MY VEHICLE BEING TOTALED AND LOSING ESP.

Mileage: 177,000

20200924CrashELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIX AND INSPECT MY SBC PUMP WHICH LEAD TO MY VEHICLE BEING TOTALED AND LOSING ESP.

Mileage: 177,000

20200717FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20200626AIR BAGS

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

Compare 2003MERCEDES-BENZE320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 have?
The 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 has 281 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320?
The most-complained component for the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 71 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.