2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 Fuel/propulsion System Problems
NHTSA component category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How fuel/propulsion system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 125 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 overview page.
What owners report
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR LOST POWER. PULLED OVER FOR VISUAL INSPECTION, NOTICED THE FUEL WAS LEAKING RAPIDLY. IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF…”NHTSA complaint 11340993 — filed 07/22/2020
“STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN TANK FULL. DOESN'T HAPPEN IF TANK IS 3/4 FULL OR LESS. ANY RECALLS? WILL DEALERSHIP FIX PROBLEM?”NHTSA complaint 10937128 — filed 12/22/2016
“STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT. THE SMELL SPREAD TO THE CABIN AND THE WHOLE GARAGE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS…”NHTSA complaint 10916100 — filed 10/14/2016
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 have fuel/propulsion system problems?
Fuel/propulsion System is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500: 27 of 125 complaints on file (21.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 have in total?
125 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 4 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's fuel/propulsion system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
