VehicleVerdict

2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 fuel system problems

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 has 41 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

41

Fuel System complaints

29%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

E500 fuel system complaints by model year87 complaints2003: 41 complaints2004: 87 complaints2005: 78 complaints2006: 31 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints
E500 fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

WHEN THE TANK IS FULL IT HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AND AROUND THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, ALSO MISFIRE DURING THESE FEW DAYS. I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ASAP REGARDING THIS POSSIBLE DANGEROUS ISSUE, ANY HELP TO CORRECT THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 1, 2014

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 have?

NHTSA has 41 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 fuel system — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.