The 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 472,979 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
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.
STEERING08V4650002008-09-17125,228 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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…
STEERING03V1210002003-03-27211,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.
Remedy
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…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1fires3injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
SEATS
1
1injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
1
1fires2injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
1
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“Tl*the 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…”
“Tl*the 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…”
“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…”
“- no precursors or apparent damage - drivers seat heater failed resulting in strong burning smell, and superficial burn to left upper leg of driver”
“- no precursors or apparent damage - drivers seat heater failed resulting in strong burning smell, and superficial burn to left upper leg of driver”
“On the highway driving 65 my 2003 ml500 mercedes - benz computer shut down after hitting a small bump. It was very dangerous and was scared for my life there engine turned off and was luckily able to stop at the side of the road and start the car again. This happened a couple of weeks before but…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationRQ08002 Opened 2008-03-11 · closed 2008-09-17
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK
MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE…
InvestigationRQ08002 Opened 2008-03-11 · closed 2008-09-17
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK
MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE…
InvestigationRQ08002 Opened 2008-03-11 · closed 2008-09-17
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK
MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) WILL NOTIFY CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2003 M-CLASS OWNERS OF THE NEED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY CAMPAIGNED UNDER MBUSA RECALL 2003-040005 (NHTSA RECALL 03V-121).THE MBUSA CAMPAIGN, WHICH ODI IS DESIGNATING RECALL 08V-465, WILL REPLACE THE…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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