Table 1 shows three common equipment related problems of the 2003 Mercedes Benz S Class.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Navigational (global Positioning System) Gps problems | |
| Radio/tape Cd Player problems | |
| Carrier/rack problems |
This auto's command (communications) system (radio/cass/cell phone/navigation system) has failed, intermittantly eleven times over the past 2 years. Since I purchased this auto for monthly trips between maine and georgia, I really need safe and consistent communications and navigation systems to operate properly. I've now lost faith in the safe operation of this vehicle; purchased expressly for safe, long distance, all-weather, & dependable trips of 2,600 miles each month. While the factory has attempted to repair/replace the command system ten times, it has now failed for the eleventh time! this problem has been additionally documented in the past three issues of the star: Mercedes Benz owners club magazine.
This auto's command (communications) system (radio/cass/cell phone/navigation system) has failed, intermittantly eleven times over the past 2 years. Since I purchased this auto for monthly trips between maine and georgia, I really need safe and consistent communications and navigation systems to operate properly. I've now lost faith in the safe operation of this vehicle; purchased expressly for safe, long distance, all-weather, & dependable trips of 2,600 miles each month. While the factory has attempted to repair/replace the command system ten times, it has now failed for the eleventh time! this problem has been additionally documented in the past three issues of the star: Mercedes Benz owners club magazine.
The srs system (airbags) have been deemed inoperable by the dealer and may either deploy at any time or not deploy at all in a collision. This is due to a defective seatbelt buckle and a defective passenger recognition sensor pad located in the front passenger seat which disables/enables the airbags functionality. Both a very common defect in the 2000 to 2006 model year Mercedes Benz S Class vehicles. The seatbelt buckle contains a sensor that eventually fails for no apparent reason or warning which compromises the air bag's functionality. The passenger recognition sensor pad located in the seat eventually malfunctions due to fatigue. This also disables the functionality of the srs system. This malfunction has recently been addressed and recalled by BMW for the same issues but Mercedes Benz has yet to issue a recall campaign also the gear shifter is stuck in park and can not be shifted in reverse. This is due to a small plastic part located in the shifting mechanism which is released by a solenoid when the brake pedal is depressed. The plastic part eventually cracks and renders the car inoperable. The part is not available nor produced by Mercedes Benz and the entire mechanism must be replaced by the dealer at the owner's expense. The cracked part can also affect the safety of the driver and pedestrians. If it cracks while the car is in drive, the shifter can not be moved forward to neutral or park and will remain stuck in drive due to a broken piece of plastic blocking the shifter from moving. This is another extremely common and dangerous defect in the model year 2000 to 2006 S Class and has affected and left thousands of motorists stranded. . Read more...