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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2003 Mercedes-Benz G-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (3) and structure (2). The EPA rates it 12–13 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
12–13mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
13
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$5,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2003 – Sep 2015
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  2. Structure2
  3. Steering2
  4. Service brakes1
  5. Seats1
  6. Engine and engine cooling1
  7. Tires1
  8. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each G-Class model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200214
200313
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

3 reports
“DT: THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN BAD FROM THE TIME SHE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 17,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME WAS @3,4000 MILES, BUT SHE HAS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2005Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10120059

Structure

2 reports
“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 DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2006StructureODI 10167669

Steering

2 reports
“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 THE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2004SteeringODI 10094235
All 2003 G-Class problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.5L 8-cyl · 5.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
G55 AMG
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121413$5,800684
G500
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111312$6,250741
  • G55 AMG
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.5 L
    12 city · 14 hwy · $5,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
  • G500
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L
    11 city · 13 hwy · $6,250/yr
    12
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 4931
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 G-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.

What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (3), structure (2), steering (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class at 12–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026