2003 Mercedes Benz S Class problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension:front (3) · Seat Belts (3) · Suspension:rear (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz S Class model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (10)
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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2014-06-23 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
Parking Brake 2009-07-31 · SB-P-047527 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. the function works again after a short time or distance. when the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated. if the foot operated parking brake is on at the first notch, the contact switch may react with a co
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2009-06-15 · TSB-42-10-109 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. once the corrosion protection is damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. include all models an
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2008-07-28 · PB 82-10-630 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side. *pe
Exterior Lighting 2006-04-26 · 8210504 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
headlamp low beam or fog lamp is always either too high or too low. *tt
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices:exterior 2005-03-16 · 887039 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 10 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2014-04-01 · Seat Belts · 50,000 mi“the srs system (airbags) have been deemed inoperable by the dealer and may either deploy at any time or not deploy at all in a collision. this is due to a defective seatbelt buckle and a defective passenger recognition sensor pad located in the front passenger seat which disables/enables the airbags functionality. both a very common defect in the 2…”
2013-04-25 · Seat Belts · 50,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz s55. the contact stated that the seat belt would not retract properly whenever there were warmer temperatures. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer and the dealer was unable to determine the failure. in addition, the contact stated that the trunk lid would either become resistant when attempting to close t…”
2012-07-03 · Seat Belts · 120,000 mi“the driver's side seat belt does not work properly during hot weather. more particularly, the belt will not extend. it is impossible to pull the belt out enough to fasten it. thus, the only way the car can be driven in hot weather is without the driver wearing a seat belt. the belt works properly in the morning when leaving our air-conditioned …”
2011-02-04 · Suspension:front“when vehicle gets cold( outside temp below 17 f), the car will lower, and airomatic warning message comes on saying airomatic vehicle too low stop visit shop. *tr…”
2011-01-24 · Suspension:front“when temperature falls below 17 degrees f, the vehicle drop to unsafe level, and message says airmatic stop car vehicle too low. the tires will start rubbing on liner. called dealer they said temperature in germany does not go that low, well this car is sold in us, and they need to make it work. *tr…”
2010-12-31 · Air Bags:frontal · 61,499 mi“air bag-drivers side, steering wheel. i recently became aware of your site and thought it appropriate to inform you of this issue. the airbag warning light came on and the dealer cleared the fault code. this lasted one week and then the warning reappeared. they did not know if this condition would result in a deployment whether warranted or not. …”
2010-11-17 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 93,939 mi“shifter stuck in park. there are probably hundreds, possibly even thousands of mercedes owners that have experienced this problem. for no apparent reason and without any warning the shifter locks in park. you turn the car on and it will not move even if using a 16 pound rubber mallet to bang the shifter. i would consider this as a potentially dang…”
2010-04-22 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 68,000 mi“shifter stuck in park due to the only plastic part ( shifter module) in the shifter box. mercedes headquarters take no responsibility for such an expensive fix when plastic part breaks. *tr…”
2009-11-17 · Suspension · 74,000 mi“i cannot believe that there is not or will not be a recall on the "suspension" issue. i too had the fate of my car collapsing on my way home from work-which is 35 miles away-it happened. on the dash it stated in bid bold letters "airmatic car too low". i pulled over and stepped out-my heart felt like it was going to come through my chest. everyone …”
2009-11-05 · Suspension:rear · 84,500 mi“my suspension is horrible!! without warning my s430 airmatic light displayed "visit workshop", i pulled over and noticed my vehicle was riding extremely low...almost touching my front and back tires. furthermore, there is a rubbing sound when the wheels are being turned. i contacted 4 dealers and they all claimed the suspension and/or airmatic …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.