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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2003 > Mercedes-benz > S CLASS

2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD
Sedan 4 DR
All wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used MERCEDES-BENZ.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Not Tested  
Passenger Not Tested  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Not Tested  
Rear Seat Not Tested  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Not Tested  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 53 Substantially better than average
Collision Index 163 Substantially worse than average
Theft Index Not rated Not rated


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 08-31-2004
Units potentially affected: 6,238
NHTSA campaign number: 04V228000
Defective part or component: SUSPENSION:AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC)
Description: On certain passenger vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (ABC) high-pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to heat and humidity. Over time, corrosion may deteriorate the inner steel portions of the hose. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage. Under some circumstances, leaking hydraulic fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possibility of fire. Dealers will install new, corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hoses. the recall began August 31, 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 16,690
NHTSA campaign number: 04V285000
Defective part or component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
Description: On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position. If the trunk lid is manually lifted, it may not remain in the up position and could cause injury if it comes down while someone is reaching into the trunk. Dealers will replace both trunk lid springs. Owner notification is expected to begin during June or July 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes Benz at 1-888-648-7820.


This 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 4.5 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 4.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 5 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 5 of 5
  Performance Rating 5 of 5
  Comfort Rating 5 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 5 of 5
  Style Rating 4.5 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability Rating 4 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 4 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 2.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 5 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Mass Air Flow Sensor, 8-cylinder engine only. The cost to repair the Mass Air Flow Sensor is estimated at $224.00 for parts and $26.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat-rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 4 years or 50,000 miles  
Drivetrain 4 years or 50,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 4 years or 50,000 miles  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance provided to all owners.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data from source  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance provided to all owners. Basic warranty includes tires, batteries, and adjustments. Free maintenance included, wear and tear items are not covered.  

This 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 4MATIC AWD warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Still the benchmark for luxury, technology, and class distinction.
By Sam Moses, NewCarTestDrive.com

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers a lot, as it should, given its price and reputation. It represents the state of the technological art of the high-performance luxury sedan. Its interior comfort is unsurpassed; its styling is aerodynamically efficient. It exudes status.

The S-Class is a better choice for many of us than the new BMW 7 Series, which is marred by a driver interface that's a real challenge to learn. The S-Class cars have a daunting set of features that requires some study of the owners manuals, but it isn't insurmountable.

Overview:

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class remains the ultra-luxury car against which other ultra-luxury aspirants are judged. That's impressive given that it was last redesigned for model-year 2000. The S-Class has been mildly face-lifted for 2003.

The Mercedes S-Class is a beautiful line of cars, sleek and aerodynamic. They are smaller yet roomier than the bulky pre-2000 models they replaced. And they are extremely sophisticated. Microprocessors and onboard sensors instantaneously determine forces acting upon the car, filter the data, and adjust the handling. There's much technology here and learning all of the features takes some time.

The Mercedes-Benz S430, the most popular model, offers plenty of power for quick passes, merging into fast freeway traffic, and accelerating out of corners. It exudes the tremendous presence of a Mercedes S-Class. The S500 delivers much more responsive performance, with crisp acceleration that should please any closet hot-rodder. The top-level S600 and the high-performance S55 AMG get even more power for 2003. A lot more power. As if they needed it. Fast traffic is a description fits an S600 and an S55 AMG. The S600 represents the ultimate in Mercedes-Benz luxury and power. The S55 AMG is a limited-production high-performance model.

For 2003, the S-Class comes with new safety systems that can actually anticipate a collision, and prepare driver and passengers to get through it as safely as they possibly can. Electric seat belt tensioners are activated, and the power seats adjust to a lower and more upright position. Mercedes-Benz calls this system Pre-Safe, and points out that it is the only system in production today that engages before the impact, when milliseconds can minimize the energy spikes that cause serious injuries. Also new for 2003 is the availability of 4Matic all-wheel drive.

Read the complete 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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