AutoDefect IQ

2003 Mercedes Benz 211 problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Gasoline (3) · Service Brakes (2) · Suspension (1)

🧭 Reliability snapshot

100 /100
✓ Typical or better for this model

Compared against other Mercedes Benz 211 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →

9
Complaints
0
Recalls
26
Service bulletins
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (0)

No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).

Service bulletins (26)

Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.

Fuel System, Gasoline 2015-06-10 · P-B-47.10-63c · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

fuel odor in the area of the fuel tank

Steering 2008-02-22 · 461018A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

steering wheel heater not operating correctly or inoperative at cold temperatures. mercedes benz model 211. model year unknown. *tt model 211 (e series). update 8/8/2008. *pe

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2006-09-26 · 8210258 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

front turn signal lamps inoperative, due to inadequate electrical contact between the turn signal bulb socket and the headlamp housing. *tt

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump 2006-04-26 · 463040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir. *tt

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections 2006-03-01 · 2006030002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

inspect routing of power steering high pressure hose; correct routing and replace coolant line if necessary.*ak

Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2005-01-03 · 484656 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

sensotronic brake control (sbc) noise diagnostic flow charts. mercedes-benz models 211, 230 model years 2003-2005. *tt

Showing the 6 most recent of 26 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2014-01-09 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 132,331 mi

“the strong smell of gas fumes in the cabin of the car, especially after filling the fuel tank. *tr…”

2014-01-04 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 40,500 mi

“my 2003 mercedes benz e55 (w211) has developed a fuel leak at the fuel sending unit/pump. the unit cracks and allows fuel to lead into the cabin, under the rear seats, where the fuel sending unit/pump is located. i took it to the dealer and an independent shop, who said this was a very common occurrence for this model mercedes benz, but that the …”

2013-12-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 96,292 mi

“after a gasoline fill-up a very strong odor of gasoline is noticed outside the car after the car is stopped. this continues until approximately 1/8 tank of gasoline is used. the odor is so strong that it cannot be parked in a closed garage for fear of a fire or an explosion. this is an ongoing issue. *tr…”

2013-10-20 · Service Brakes · 94,465 mi

“i was driving my car on the highway when another car cut in front of me.when i applied the brakes the completely failed and a red warning sign appeared on the dash saying brake malfunction stop vehicle". i was forced to run a red light in order to prevent hitting other cars and was able to activate the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a stop…”

2013-07-30 · Exterior Lighting

“there are wiring defective for 2003 mb e320 and may be other years and models, that use single board for tail lights (brake, night light, signal, reverse as one board). it does not matter how much replace the board ($65/board or $130 for two plus $125 labor), it will go out less than one day use. it is dangers that stop lights are not working, and …”

2012-11-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 84,000 mi

“i have realized for quite some time now that my car had inside gas fumes and i was loosing gas, as well as my gas fuel indicator being off, but i did not understand why, until recently. my service engine light came on as well as the fact that when i fill my gas tank, it leaks. i recently had a mechanic diagnose the problem as leak in the gas tank a…”

2012-07-16 · Suspension · 66,000 mi

“i was sitting with the car in park but still running and a warning light came up saying that the car war to low.looking online and reading others have complained about the same thing happing to the makes me think that there should be a recall issued. the same thing happened about seven months ago where i had to have the right side air sck replaced …”

2012-05-25 · Service Brakes

“dealer diagnosed problem of reservoir, which is part of the sensotronic brake system (sbc). there was a system recall #2004 050014, for the sbc. dealer wants to charge excessive amount to repair, which is a know fact for many owners to have the same exact problem. due to the vast amount of owners complaining of the same issue, regarding the reservo…”

2012-05-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

“i have a 2003 e500 mercedes benz. on several occasions when coming to a stop, the sbc pump would smoke from the hood. on april 18, 2012 was the first notice of pump smoking. shortly afterward the pump would continually cycle or run. on april the 27th the pump started smoking and was extremely hot and the brake visit workshop light appeared immediat…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Mercedes Benz 211 years