2003 Unimog U500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2003 Unimog U500. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2003 Unimog U500
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Automatic transmission (power train)
On certain trucks equipped with the eas transmission option, a programming logic error in the transmission automatic shift system may prevent the vehicle's clutch from disengaging when the vehicle is operated in working group or crawler gear range (low-low range).
Remedy: Dealers will modify the automatic shift system to provide reduced engine torque when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is operated in working group or crawler gear range. The gear shift electronic control unit…
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Clutch assembly (power train)
On certain trucks equipped with automatic shift, air may leak into the clutch hydraulic system at the central release bearing seal preventing the clutch from opening completely and potentially preventing the transmission from shifting into neutral.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the central release bearing and update the clutch actuation electronic control unit (ECU) software free of charge. The recall began on august 24, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at…
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Tires
On certain trucks equipped with michelin 365/85 r20 tires, the tires may not be compatible with the maximum load and maximum speed ratings.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tires with michelin 395/85 r20, and an updated gross axle weight ratings (gawr) certification label will be affixed to the vehicle. The recall began on december 3, 2004. Owners should contact…
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Labels (equipment) and 2 other components
Certain trucks do not comply with several federal standards: (1) the vehicle certification labels, part 567, "certification;" (2) tire labels, federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 120, "ire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars;" (3) incomplete vehicle document, part 568, "vehicles manufactured in…
Remedy: Only two of these vehicles had been sold to consumers and both vehicles have been remedied. The remaining vehicles are at dealerships and will be repaired at those locations. No owner notification is necessary for this…
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2003 Unimog U500. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Unimog U500 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Unimog U500 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 Unimog U500 | 4 | 0 |
| 2004 Unimog U500 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 Unimog U500 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 Unimog U500 | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 2003 Unimog U500
How do I know if my 2003 Unimog U500 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2003 Unimog U500; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Unimog dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V163000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Unimog models
- U500NA1 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.