2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 56,434miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and air bags (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,434 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 33%
- Air bags1 17%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Equipment1 17%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Was driving on expressway today 2/27/1980 when my 2004 mercedes 230 went from 65 to 35mph almost was killed by a semi truck behind me!!!! Looked online today to see if anyone else had similar problems well I went to one site over 200 complaints about the same problem. Their is also a pending class action lawsuit about this problem it is very very dangerous and I was almost killed today by my own car!!!!! 2/27/1980 130pm this happened on my birthday now iam having it towed and repaired and I have sore neck also. Please check into this please. …”
NHTSA complaint #10449482, filed 2012-02, 124,000 milesAir bags: “Dt: the contact vehicle was involved in a accident last night like in the center of vehicle. Consumer's vehicle was equipped with side air bags, and neither one of the side air bags deployed. He said the vehicle was hit pretty hard and they should have deployed. The dealer told him that the air bags could deploy if hit in different positions, and that maybe was the reason why they did not deploy. Manufacturer said pretty much the same thing, and that they would look into it. Also, manufacturer said that it could have been the air bags messed up, and they were going to do an investigation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10120571, filed 2005-05Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 26,555 and 86,314 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10034306Jun 11, 2010Air bags. Mercedes: airbag durability and reliability. Air bag srs control module (n2/2) does not have a set shelf life and will normally be reliable for the life of a vehicle. With 164, 216 221, 251 and…
- 10019990Apr 26, 2006Steering. Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir.
- 10012246Jan 3, 2005Brakes. Sensotronic brake control (sbc) noise diagnostic flow charts. Mercedes-benz models 211, 230 model years 2003-2005.
- 10012245Jan 3, 2005Brakes. Abs or esp event code(s) stored in esp (electronic stability program) or sbc (sensotronic brake control) system. Mercedes-benz models 199, 211, 219, 230 model year 2004-2006.
- 10011693Dec 30, 2004Electrical system. Parktronic triggers without obvious cause at front bumper in mercedes model numbers 171/211/230.
- 10011629Dec 30, 2004Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Windshield washer nozzles heating inoperative.
- 10011709Dec 22, 2004Brakes. Parts identification for the sbs hydraulic unit.(mercedes benz, model 230, year 2005)
- 10011705Dec 16, 2004Brakes. Brake malfunction sbs visit workshop. Displayed within the insturment cluster's multifunction display. (mercedes benz, model 211 and 230 year 2005).
- 10011740Nov 11, 2004Steering. Steering wheel twitch during brake application.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 230
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 | 56,434 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 5 | 30,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 8 | 74,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 230 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz 230 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,434 miles and the middle half falls between 26,555 and 86,314 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.