2003 Mercedes-Benz Amg E55 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (39) · Fuel System, Gasoline (21) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Amg E55 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
60 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (63)
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.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 63 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-12-04 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz amg e55. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. after a visual inspection of the rear seats, the contact observed gasoline pooling underneath the rear seats. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the d…”
2023-04-26 · Electrical System“the alternator died after just over two years from being replaced by mercedes part and labor causing a loss of electrical power and a loss of brake in the car.…”
2020-08-19 · Power Train · 103,700 mi“while the vehicle was on the highway on a long road trip, there was an increasingly large rattle when the vehicle was under load. eventually the rattle stopped. then when i tried to fill up the car with gas, it leaked everywhere causing a massive fire hazard. while this was put under extended warranty for 15 years by mercedes benz, a 2003 model is …”
2020-02-18 · Seats · 96,000 mi“my vehicle is currently experiencing an srs warning light that the dealership, mercedes benz of south bay, diagnosed as being a passenger seat weight sensor failure. they advised that this is a common failure on these models, which upon searching the internet i believe is the case, and quoted me over $4,000 for the repair. this failure turns off th…”
2019-11-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 90,000 mi“what should have been a classified as a total recall turned into an extended warranty, and as a result i have lost $1700. after a battle with the nhtsa, back in 2015 mercedes settled to do a retroactive extended warranty on certain 2003-2011 vehicles due to how many problems and safety concerns there were with the fuel system. unknown to me,…”
2019-04-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100,000 mi“i just purchased a used 2003 mercedes-benz e55 amg. upon driving it home from the state where i purchased it, i smelled a strong fuel smell. this is strong inside the cabin and also outside the cabin, to the point that others around the car noted the fuel smell. i can smell it while driving and when the car is stationary. a google search indicated …”
2019-01-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 83,000 mi“strong fuel smell after fill up. fuel leaking on to top of tank and vapors entering cabin…”
2016-02-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 65,170 mi“takata recall, also having problem with fuel cap and evacuation system.…”
2015-12-10 · Engine · 115,000 mi“during initial warmup of vehicle (generally soaked at ambient temperatures 60f and below) a short term (5-8 seconds) unstable idle occurs 20-30 seconds after initial engine start and while in a forward drive gear. this unstable idle generates torque variations that will overcome a brake apply and incur vehicle movement. the brake apply is a level w…”
2015-10-31 · Fuel/Propulsion System“bad fuel pumps under rear seat causing fuel smell in my entire car.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.