2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 power train problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“On june 6, 2013, while braking on approaching intersection, brakes failed and transmission locked. Mercedes customer assistance towed vehicle to dealer, m-b greenway, houston, tx, where the service advisor explained that the pressure reservoir of the sensotronic brake unit had failed and must be…”
filed Jun 7, 2013
“Car is used only for work and mostly highway driving for appointments. At 70,000 miles the transmission went out on the e320. An investigation reveled that a valve had failed in the radiator causing coolant from the engine to mix in with the transmission fluid which in turn burnt out parts in the…”
filed Apr 18, 2013
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause…
LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2026Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
LI33.30-P-056665 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
LI33.30-P-056665 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 21, 2025
Power Train problems in other E320 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 E320 | 10 | 4% |
| 2004 E320 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 E320 | 3 | 13% |
| 2001 E320 | 6 | 16% |
| 2000 E320 | 7 | 16% |
| 1999 E320 | 11 | 13% |
| 1998 E320 | 2 | 5% |
| 1997 E320 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 E320 | 1 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.