Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320 a bad year?
214 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other E 320 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320 are in line with other E 320 years. Fuel system and brakes stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 E 320 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 105,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 88 (41%) | 89k–133k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 77 (36%) | 82k–139k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 21 (10%) | 70k–117k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 19 (9%) | 64k–140k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 105,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 214 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 8 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320: 2
The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. 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 A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mercedes-Benz: 57
Repair instructions Mercedes-Benz sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
Engine noises (rattling) after engine start
Xentry (Mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
Neighbouring years
2002 E 320: 23 complaints, keep it · 2004 E 320: 203 complaints, keep it.
Every Mercedes-Benz E 320 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All E 320 years side by side
Other Mercedes-Benz models: Mercedes-Benz AMG E 55 · Mercedes-Benz C 230 · Mercedes-Benz C 250 · Mercedes-Benz C 300 · Mercedes-Benz C 320 · Mercedes-Benz C 350 · Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz E 300 · Mercedes-Benz E 350 · Mercedes-Benz E 500 · Mercedes-Benz E 550 · Mercedes-Benz GL 450 · Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 · Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 · Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 · Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 · Mercedes-Benz ML 320 · Mercedes-Benz ML 350 · Mercedes-Benz Metris · Mercedes-Benz R 350 · Mercedes-Benz S 430 · Mercedes-Benz S 500 · Mercedes-Benz S 550 · Mercedes-Benz S Class · Mercedes-Benz SL 500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 · Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320 a bad year?
214 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other E 320 years. At 105,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (88), brakes (77), electrical system (21), air bags (19), suspension (11).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 320 have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 24V-874), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 19V-918). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.