The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz M/GLE
2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE is about average by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 88, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about seats, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 71 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 97K miles on the car (51 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 49K–100K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir
- Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit
- Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectric seat warmer overheats/burns2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $5300–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2003 mercedes benz 500 - heated seat burnt up - small hole in seat - it was very, very hot. 8jb
2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE owner · NHTSA complaint 10162681
More owner reports
Driver side heated seat burned through the seat causing a burn hole in the seat . Damaged drivers pants and wallet. Dealer to repair/replace seat in mid july
NHTSA complaint 10126701
While driving the vehicle heated seats caused second degree burns to the driver's bottom. There was no damage to the vehicle's seat. This problem also cause some redness to another driver's bottom.
NHTSA complaint 10059309
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 88; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (46%), steering (12%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 97,000 miles. The middle report was at 51,700 miles, from 51 complaints.
Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE cost in fuel a year?
About $5300 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works