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Mercedes-Benz C320Model year report

2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
64,500miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and visibility (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 64,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 50 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

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.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I smelt fuel inside my car whenever my car would be filled to a full tank of gas and for a period of time until the fuel level dropped. My car started to drive funny and not accelerate normally then stopped all together. Mercedes diagnosed it as a fuel system issue. I bought the parts at mercedes and had it repaired and then then received a week later a recall for the fuel system as a safety issue. . The dealer did not fix my car and has avoided the assistance to resolve the issue and I can not reach anyone at mercedes corporate that can help.”

NHTSA complaint #10776593, filed 2015-09

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed independently as the contact struck a pothole in the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where it was diagnosed that the impact activated the air bag deployment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10915644, filed 2016-10, 130,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I own a 2004 mb C320 and I have noticed that when it reached 40,000 miles the car itself started malfunctioning from the rear window shade wouldn't go down for which I only use occasionally; the air conditioning would turn on and off; the temp gauge is inaccurate; the passenger visor came off; the center console wouldn't shut close and the. I went to mb for the yearly service- april 2009 and they wanted $1300.00 for the window shade; I think $500 for the center console and $125 for the visor. …”

NHTSA complaint #10275711, filed 2009-07, 60,000 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz C320. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the brakes failed to respond. The contact merged to the shoulder and powered off the vehicle, but was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 79,580 and the current mileage was 89,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10549582, filed 2013-10, 79,580 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 76,000 miles.

8%0–100%10–2517%25–5042%50–7525%75–1008%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 64,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2008201020122014320162022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
C-Class · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual172419$4,350
C320 4matic (Wagon) 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
C320 4matic Sedan 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
C320 Sports Coupe RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual172419$4,350
C320 FFV RWD3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic182420$4,100
C320 FFV (Wagon) RWD3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic182420$4,100
C320 Sports Coupe FFV RWD3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic182420$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 → · Check a 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. 50 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 50 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20051596,2344—19—Falling
20041564,5003—20—Falling
20032254,3523—19—Rising
20026870,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20016370,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz C320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.

Has the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 (C320 FFV, 3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 64,500 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 76,000 miles; 25% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.