2003 Mercedes Benz G500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other G500 years
- Not enough data 1st of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes Benz G500. That is the most of any G500 model year in the database (9 years). The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (2 complaints, 29%). Complaints mention 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 7owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Mercedes Benz G500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 29% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 29% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 29% | 37,941 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 14% | 75,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Mercedes Benz G500 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2002-2010 g-class vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "'lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these vehicles are equipped with a grill cover for front turn signal protection that, while permissible, may impact over time the signal's ability to meet the minimum requirements of fmvss 108.
Risk: The signal light's visibility to other motorists may be reduced over time, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install improved turn light units optimized for usage with grills. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin at the end of december 2010 or early january 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system
Problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
Fix: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I purchased this car in november of 2012 as the 2nd owner. It only had 60,000 miles on it and seemed like a great car. One day i was driving on the freeway approximately 65mph, when i had to brake slightly and the brake pedal felt kinda mushy and my braking was slower than normal. Next thing i saw…
Dt*: the contact stated one of contact's clients suffered 3rd degree burns on the calf of the leg while exiting the vehicle from a stainless steel portion of the running board. The running board was very hot from the sun shining inside the vehicle resulting in the client's leg being burned. The…
While driving, the steering wheel started shaking uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the steering rack pinion shaft needed replacement. The consumer informed the mechanic that…
I have 2003 mercedes benz g 500. When i am driving on the freeway and i hit a bump in the whole road the whole steering unit in the truck shakes and almost lost control because of it. This has happened a few times and the problem is documented by other ownders at www.benzworld.org…
Esp braking system on the 2003 g500 going down hill around curves past 40 mph is a serious driving hazard. Automatic braking on the left tire turning to the right can throw you into oncoming traffic. Esp needs to be adjusted. *jb
Other Mercedes Benz G500 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 G500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 G500 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 G500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 G500 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006 G500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 G500 | 2 | 1 |
| 2004 G500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | 7 | 2 |
| 2002 G500 | 2 | 1 |
See all Mercedes Benz G500 problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
Embed this 2003 Mercedes Benz G500 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes Benz G500?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, steering, structure problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz G500?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Mercedes Benz G500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other G500 model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.