2003 Mercedes Benz E320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (65) · Service Brakes (54) · Fuel System, Gasoline (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz E320 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
160 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
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 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 (80)
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 80 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-11-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i inherited my dad's 2003 mercedes benz e320 when he passed away last year. he kept the car in pristine condition. about a month ago while driving it, i noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. the odor is strong just after filling the tank, and then it disappears at appox. 3 quarters of a tank. this issue has been physically…”
2024-07-15 · Service Brakes“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e-320. the contact stated while driving 30 mph, the braking system became inoperable. the contact stated that the abs warning light was illuminated after the failure. the contact stated that the failure was related to tsb: 2005110001. the contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vin was not und…”
2024-07-15 · Service Brakes“mb usa is not honoring recall 2005110001 for 25 years per nhtsa bulletin. the mercedes benz representative said that the recall is closed for a 2003 car, but which should not be closed until 2028 for my car. the mercedes benz representative agreed that she does see the car matches the 2003-2006 e class with chassis of a336226 falling between a0- a…”
2023-07-25 · Service Brakes“report number: cal-03-07 new car assessment program (ncap) frontal barrier impact test…”
2023-07-07 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 202,800 mi“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e320. the contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor throughout the vehicle. upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak coming from underneath the vehicle, above the fuel tank. the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. t…”
2023-03-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“*1. the fuel tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned. *2. after filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3the car has been taken to a certified mercedes benz dealersh…”
2022-11-08 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification“system restraint malfunction seems like it the passenger side airbag won’t let you no if on or of…”
2022-09-15 · Electrical System“everytime i get in my car, the battery is dead! i have purchased several brand new batteries, and the same thing! i purchased a new battery, and my wife and i went on vacation, and as we was headed back home, we began to smell a real foul oder! we stop to the gas station, and looked everywhere, but didn't see anything! as we continue to drive,…”
2022-07-11 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 73,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e320. the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. the contact removed the rear seat where the fuel tank was located and discovered that fuel was leaking into the vehicle underneath the rear seat instead of going into the fuel tank. there was no war…”
2022-01-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“after fueling up, a smell of gas occurs. slight gas puddle forms under the car after every fuel up. drops gas gauge down and after that no more smell of fuel but still slight puddle of gas after leaving the car parked. noticed it about a month ago and it seems to get worse. doesn't seem safe knowing the car is leaking fuel.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.