Total Complaints
143 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ E500 · model year
143 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003MERCEDES-BENZE500 carries 143 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 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 E500 is service brakes with 29 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (27) and fuel system, gasoline (14). 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 E500. 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.
Total Complaints
143 filings
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 29 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 27 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 14 |
| SUSPENSION | 13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 7 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 4 |
| VISIBILITY | 3 |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but the pedal was stiff. The vehicle was taken to two dealers where it was diagnosed that the brake pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Mileage: 45,000
Air suspension in the rear suddenly failed making it impossible to drive, also triggered a red warning of "stop, car too low"
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that there was leakage coming from the driverâs and the passengerâs side sunroof. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The contact was informed that the only warranty would be for the module. The contact stated as he was driving the vehicle into the dealer service center the ESP warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the ESP warning light disappeared, the brake warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,648.
Mileage: 97,648
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the air bags on the driverâs side of the vehicle inadvertently deployed without warning. After the air bags were deployed, a message showing an air bag malfunction was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact received medical attention for ringing in his ear from the air bag deployment. The vehicle was not diagnosed because the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 25 MPH .SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES AND A BRIGHT RED SIGNAL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND THE CAR BRAKES FAILED .TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT ,MY WIFE DROVE INTO AN UPHILL PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT THE CARS BRAKES HELP .AFTER WE CALMED DOWN ,WE CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RIZZOLI'S MECEDEZ REPAIR 702 WEST GRAND AVE GROVER BEACH CA 93433 PHONE NUMBER 805-481-0832 WHICH WAS CLOSED AND THE CAR WAS LEFT IN THEIR PARKING LOT WITH THE KEYS LEFT IN THE DROP BOX .THIS WAS THE CLOSEST MERCEDES REPAIR PLACE WE COULD THINK OF IN OUR STATE OF SHOCK. WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT SBC BRAKE SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST $3453.06 TO REPAIR .I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A 25 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VIN NUMBER IN QUESTION .AFTER THE REPAIR I STILL NOTICED SOME CUSHIONING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR BRAKES DID WORK . RIZZOLIS IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP .I CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED TH
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 25 MPH .SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES AND A BRIGHT RED SIGNAL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND THE CAR BRAKES FAILED .TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT ,MY WIFE DROVE INTO AN UPHILL PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT THE CARS BRAKES HELP .AFTER WE CALMED DOWN ,WE CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RIZZOLI'S MECEDEZ REPAIR 702 WEST GRAND AVE GROVER BEACH CA 93433 PHONE NUMBER 805-481-0832 WHICH WAS CLOSED AND THE CAR WAS LEFT IN THEIR PARKING LOT WITH THE KEYS LEFT IN THE DROP BOX .THIS WAS THE CLOSEST MERCEDES REPAIR PLACE WE COULD THINK OF IN OUR STATE OF SHOCK. WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT SBC BRAKE SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST $3453.06 TO REPAIR .I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A 25 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VIN NUMBER IN QUESTION .AFTER THE REPAIR I STILL NOTICED SOME CUSHIONING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR BRAKES DID WORK . RIZZOLIS IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP .I CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED TH
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnose the failure to be the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electronic braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Mileage: 98,000
I am in immediate need of a confirmation that Mercedes Benz USA or any dealership performed a Sensotronic Brake Control services on my 2003 E500 Mercedes Benz relative to Safety Recall #2005110001. Is MZBUSA required to report ALL vehicles that were serviced under this recall? Please , if service was completed, provide the dates(s) and place where the work was done. I cannot stress how important this is, and a timely response is VERY relevant to the Court situation about MZBUSA's contention that the SBC pump was replaced.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the air bag suspension detached from the subframe which caused the shock to lean into the tire. The rear driverâs side wheel ceased turning. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Mileage: 139,000
MZB ISSUED A 25-YEAR-WARRANTY/SAFETY RECALL EXTENSION ON MY 2003 E500 MZB CAR; #2005110001 -FOR THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM. AROUND AUGUST 2020 I WAS DRIVING ON SURFACE STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING RED WARNINGS AND THE SPEED IMMEDIATELY REDUCED AND TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED IN FIRST GEAR. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED AND MANAGED TO PULL CAR CURBSIDE. I THEN SLOWLY DROVE CAR HOME, AND THE NEXT DAY CONTACTE A MASTER ASE MZB MECHANIC AND HAD CAR TOWED THERE IN TEMECULA. HE DETERMINED THE SBC UNIT WAS THE CAUSE AND EVEN CALLED MZB TEMECULA TO ASSURE THEY HAD THE PART. HE THEN INFORMED ME MY CAR WAS UNDER A 25-YEAR RECALL EXTENSION TO REPAIR THE SAFETY- HAZARD ISSUE. DEALER AND MZB USA REFUSES TO REPAIR - THEY SAY SINCE THEIR COMPUTER DOES NOT SHOW FAULTS, THE CODES THAT THE ASE MASTER MECHANIC ( WHO IS KNOW TO TEMECULA MZB SERVICE MANAGER FOR YEARS) SENT TO THEM DO NOT MATTER...ONLY THEIR SYSTEM CODES. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE FREEWAY DRIVES ARE ESSENTIAL AND FREQUENT
Mileage: 150,250
MZB ISSUED A 25-YEAR-WARRANTY/SAFETY RECALL EXTENSION ON MY 2003 E500 MZB CAR; #2005110001 -FOR THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM. AROUND AUGUST 2020 I WAS DRIVING ON SURFACE STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING RED WARNINGS AND THE SPEED IMMEDIATELY REDUCED AND TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED IN FIRST GEAR. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED AND MANAGED TO PULL CAR CURBSIDE. I THEN SLOWLY DROVE CAR HOME, AND THE NEXT DAY CONTACTE A MASTER ASE MZB MECHANIC AND HAD CAR TOWED THERE IN TEMECULA. HE DETERMINED THE SBC UNIT WAS THE CAUSE AND EVEN CALLED MZB TEMECULA TO ASSURE THEY HAD THE PART. HE THEN INFORMED ME MY CAR WAS UNDER A 25-YEAR RECALL EXTENSION TO REPAIR THE SAFETY- HAZARD ISSUE. DEALER AND MZB USA REFUSES TO REPAIR - THEY SAY SINCE THEIR COMPUTER DOES NOT SHOW FAULTS, THE CODES THAT THE ASE MASTER MECHANIC ( WHO IS KNOW TO TEMECULA MZB SERVICE MANAGER FOR YEARS) SENT TO THEM DO NOT MATTER...ONLY THEIR SYSTEM CODES. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE FREEWAY DRIVES ARE ESSENTIAL AND FREQUENT
Mileage: 150,250
VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING A RED WARNING SIGN WHILE DRIVING AT WHICH POINT I LOST ALL BRAKES IT WAS ONLY RIGHT THAT I USED A RUNAWAY RAMP AT THE MOMENT OTHERWISE THE CAR WOULD HAVE NOT STOPPED. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN UPON RESTARTING EVERYTHING BRAKE RELATED DISAPPEARED. ALSO THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ALREADY.
Mileage: 146,753
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST POWER. PULLED OVER FOR VISUAL INSPECTION, NOTICED THE FUEL WAS LEAKING RAPIDLY. IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE CAR. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. DEALER VERIFIED THE TANK WAS LEAKING.
Mileage: 117,000
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A CITY STREET WHEN I HEARD A CLICK/ CRACK, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN TIME AND HIT A PARKED CAR. THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT WASN'T A CASE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILING BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL (I DO KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE). I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, SURVEYED THE DAMAGE, THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO REVERSE IT AND PARK THE CAR BEHIND THE ACCIDENT. THE STEERING WAS FINE. AFTER I COLLECTED MYSELF, I DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE BLOCK (RESIDENTIAL AREA) AND SAW THE CAR DROVE FINE, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS JUST IN AN ACCIDENT. I ENDED UP HAVING THE CAR TOWED BECAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING, CAUSING SMOKE, AND I DIDN'T WANT THE BELT TO BREAK. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THE CRASH. BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE LOCKED STEERING WHEEL, I INJURED MY RIGHT ELBOW FROM THE IMPACT. MY STOMA
Mileage: 122,000
AIR SUSPENSION LOWER CAUSED CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. THIS AIR SUSPENSION HAS SERIOUS PROBLEM NEEDS RECALL DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING.
Mileage: 90,378
SBC ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED NEEDED REPLACEMENT & SWITCH MB SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOR MY YR VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ FINALLY TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IN DOCUMENT AUGUST 2018 THAT THEY ARE COVERING THE COST AND LABOR TO THIS PROBLEM FOR UP TO 25 YEARS IN MODEL YEAR. BUT YOUR SITE DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL ON THIS?? LIMP MODE AND FAULT LIGHTS FLASHED SBC/ABS UNIT FAILED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. PLEASE, FILE MY COMPLAINT SINCE I AM GOING AFTER MERCEDES BENZ LOCAL DEALER FOR MY REFUND OF CASH FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. THANKS
Mileage: 117,480
SBC ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED NEEDED REPLACEMENT & SWITCH MB SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOR MY YR VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ FINALLY TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IN DOCUMENT AUGUST 2018 THAT THEY ARE COVERING THE COST AND LABOR TO THIS PROBLEM FOR UP TO 25 YEARS IN MODEL YEAR. BUT YOUR SITE DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL ON THIS?? LIMP MODE AND FAULT LIGHTS FLASHED SBC/ABS UNIT FAILED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. PLEASE, FILE MY COMPLAINT SINCE I AM GOING AFTER MERCEDES BENZ LOCAL DEALER FOR MY REFUND OF CASH FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. THANKS
Mileage: 117,480
THE SBC IS THE PROBLE , AND I BELICE RHAT IT IS / WAS ON RECALL, I WANT YOU TO FIX THE PROBLEM . THANKS
Mileage: 109,000
THE SBC IS THE PROBLE , AND I BELICE RHAT IT IS / WAS ON RECALL, I WANT YOU TO FIX THE PROBLEM . THANKS
Mileage: 109,000
AIR SUSPENSION - THE ENTIRE VEHICLE HAS FALLEN ALMOST TO THE GROUND DUE TO DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION(FRONT AND REAR). THIS STARTED WITHIN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A MERCEDEZ BENZ DEALERSHIP BUT DID NOT REALIZE HOW SERIOUS THE PROBLEM WAS UNTIL THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. AS OF TODAY, THE AIR DOES NOT PUMP INTO THE CAR AND THEREFORE IT'S LOW TO THE GROUND.
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.