Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class, the most recent reported on March 31, 2011 (Vehicle speed control: cruise control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class?

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (4 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (2).

How many 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 10 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls and problems

3 recalls and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

NHTSA campaign 11V208000 · reported March 31, 2011 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 136,751 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to reach a certain rate of deceleration. Mercedes-benz has determined that under certain circumstances use of the brake pedal may not automatically disengage cruise control as expected by the driver, although the other means of deactivating cruise control remain fully operative. Specifically, where the driver pumps the brakes rather than applying consistent pedal force, the level of force required may be unusually high.
The risk: Difficulty or delay in disengaging cruise control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during october 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA campaign 08V465000 · reported September 17, 2008 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 125,228 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
The risk: The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump. This could result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
The fix: An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles may not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03v121). Since it is not possible through inspection to identify specific vehicles that may not have been properly repaired, all vehicles repaired prior to november 15, 2003, will be repaired again. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA campaign 03V121000 · reported March 27, 2003 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 211,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
The risk: The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump.
The fix: Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary. Owner notification began june 16, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system4
Engine and engine cooling2
Seats2
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Power train1
Steering1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 17, 2011 · Engine and engine cooling
AFTER CHANGING THE SERPENTINE BELT, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS WOBBLING AND THE BELT VIBRATING, I BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, DOSE MINE STILL APPLIED TO THIS PROBLEM? IT IS ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS KIND OF REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE, PLEASE.

Nov 3, 2010 · Fuel system, gasoline · 42,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC ENGINE STOPPED. DRIVER (NOT ME) WAS VERY SCARED AND SAID AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED AS SHE MANEUVERED TO BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT POWER AND NO POWER STEERING. SECOND OCCURRENCE OF SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPAGE WHILE DRIVING WITH LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND POWER STEERING IN THIS VEHICLE. FUEL…

Aug 14, 2007 · Seats · 28,000 miles · fire reported
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE ENGAGED THE SEAT HEATER. THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE HEATER OFF. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE AND SPARKS. HE POURED WATER OVER THE SEATS AND THE SPARKS STOPPED. THE SEAT HEATER DID NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE…

Mar 14, 2006 · Steering · 24,368 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH GOING AROUND A CURVE THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND THEN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL #03V121000 FOR THE STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER…

May 13, 2005 · Seats · 25,000 miles
- NO PRECURSORS OR APPARENT DAMAGE - DRIVERS SEAT HEATER FAILED RESULTING IN STRONG BURNING SMELL, AND SUPERFICIAL BURN TO LEFT UPPER LEG OF DRIVER

M Class model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	5	25	1	0
2001	4	5	2	0
2002	5	5	0	0
2003	3	10	1	1
2004	1	0	0	0
2006	2	14	1	0

All Mercedes-Benz M Class years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class, the most recent reported on March 31, 2011 (Vehicle speed control: cruise control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class?: Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (4 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (2).
How many 2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 10 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 17, 2011.