2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 covers two trims that part ways at the driveline. Base and 4Matic share the 4-door sedan body and the 5.0L single-overhead-cam V8, naturally aspirated and running on gasoline, but the 4Matic designation adds all-wheel drive, and the manual takes in that driveline too. The manual gives specifications and torque values for the shared engine.

Engines covered

• 5.0L V8 — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Base
• 4Matic

Known issues on the 2003 S500. NHTSA filed three recalls against wider groupings. Two were issued for the 2003 S-Class line: certain vehicles could have a trunk lid spring snap while the lid was closed, so a lid raised by hand might drop onto someone reaching in, and on certain others humidity could corrode the active body control pressure hose until it leaked near hot exhaust parts. The 2003 W220-chassis models recall involved certain vehicles equipped with front strut acceleration sensors for active body control, which could send mismatched readings. Thirteen owner complaints name the S500, four on seat belts; 23 cite the 2003 S-Class line. Trunk lid, suspension hydraulic and restraint procedures are included.