AI Damage2003 Mercedes-Benz E 350: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 350 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 29% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 14% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Almost in an accident as the airmatic suspension failed. Car suddenly lowered while driving. Changed air shocked, failed again after 2 years. This car has only less 93000 miles. All mechanics across the board know this is the problem mercedes has refused to take care.
When gas tank is full, I can smell gas from the drivers passenger side. When the gas tank is 3/4th tank, the smell disappeared. After research online there might be a problem in the rubber seal in the tank. It is a fire issue.
An unknown warning light was illuminated. Mercedes benz of walnut creek ([address], walnut creek, [ZIP], [phone]) was contacted by phone. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed.
The vechile has a very strong smell of fuel tbat I may believe is building up as it leaks in the undercarriage of the car
The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the sun roof detached from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility).
November 2019 the vehicle fog, interior & rear tail lights began to flash on & off and the security alarm begin to sound with a weak like battery sound without the use of the smart key, december 2019 the same occurrences batteries were drain, no power & recently february 2019 same occurrences no power to vehicle.
The contact stated that while traveling 55 mph, there was a sudden loss of power steering. The contact resumed driving even though the steering wheel was difficult to turn without force being applied. In addition, there was power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the E 350 has 96 complaints (23 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
- E 350 200410 sources
- E 350 200515 sources
- E 350 2006400 sources
- E 350 2007350 sources
- E 350 2008173 sources
- E 350 200964 sources
- E 350 2010184 sources
- E 350 2011223 sources
- E 350 2012217 sources
- E 350 2013164 sources
- E 350 2014278 sources
- E 350 201531 sources
- E 350 2016135 sources
- E 350 2017104 sources
- E 350 2020225 sources
- E 350 2021226 sources
- E 350 2022161 sources
- E 350 2023148 sources
- E 350 2024168 sources
- E 350 2025175 sources
- E 350 202683 sources
- E 350 20277 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 350?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, air bags. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (29%), battery drain (14%), headlights and tail lights (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 350?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 350 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.