The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 2003

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index132100 = average car
Complaints60NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold55,683U.S. model year
Per 100K sold108complaints
Year rank#18 of 18#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.2L 6-cylAuto 5-spdRWD17 / 24 / 20Premium$3,850
3.2L 6-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 24 / 20Premium$3,850
5.0L 8-cylAuto 5-spdRWD15 / 21 / 17Premium$4,550
5.4L 8-cyl superchargedAuto 5-spdRWD13 / 19 / 15Premium$5,150

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 59,900 and 120,000 miles. Median 90,200, from 300 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Fuel or ev drive system100,00083,000–127,50085
Brakes120,00088,900–142,00075
Brakes38,40011,400–82,00028
Fuel system, gasoline101,40075,500–120,00029
Electrical69,5001,500–115,90025

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes32%
Electrical20%
Transmission & drivetrain18%
Airbags13%
Speed control12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
3911511509

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 24V874000 Nov 2024 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 22V954000 Dec 2022 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

    Risk. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

  • 19V918000 Dec 2019 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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

    Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedFuel leakage from the fuel tank20132014

Manufacturer communications 110

Mercedes-Benz filed 110 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Cracking/creaking noises from front axle when vehicle is subject to torsion or when steering…
  • Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight
  • Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a…

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2001422044,445Speed control
2002–742,598Steering
20031326055,683Brakes
2004542758,954Brakes
2005823050,383Airbags
2006832950,195Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data