Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗ABC HIGH PRESSURE HOSE
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
- Consequence
- THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES BENZ\TRUNK LID SPRINGS
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.
- Consequence
- IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (28)
28 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 21.4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 14.3% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 14.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 10.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 7.1% |
| Interior lighting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Power train | 2 | 7.1% |
| Structure | 2 | 7.1% |
How 2003 compares with other S-Class years
Best and worst S-Class years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 |
| 2000 | 81 | 5 |
| 2001 | 36 | 5 |
| 2002 | 48 | 2 |
| 2003 | 28 | 2 |
| 2004 | 15 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 17 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,850
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 523 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 17 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $4,850 | 523 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 20 / 15 | $5,500 | 593 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 S-Class for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 07V263000 (engine), 04V285000 (latch). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems?
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (7), Electrical system (6), Air bags (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates the 4.3 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 S-Class compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2000 the most (81). The 2003 drew 28. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.