2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 5,450miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and air bags (2). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,450 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins 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.
- Fuel system5 33%
- Air bags2 13%
- Brakes2 13%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Engine cooling1 6.7%
- Body and structure1 6.7%
- Tires1 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.7%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Had to replace the fuel pump now I have to replace the fuel tank. Can not fill my fuel tank if so the fuel smell fills my home because I park in the garage. Took it to my mechanic and was told to watch for flames it could cause serious problems. Please help with this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10487629, filed 2012-12, 100,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Transmission problems, vehicle would not shift out of park position to reverse or drive. The plastic piece attached to the fender was loose and the tire was rubbing the plastic. There was an oil leak which had come from the pan in the engine. When the consumer went to change the tire, he discovered there was no spare tire in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10111089, filed 2005-01, 14,500 milesAir bags: “The srs, (supplemental restraint system) or air bag light illuminated, caused by the srscontrol unit experiencing an internal electrical fault. The fault displayed code 9120. Mercedes vehicles of this year and model are known to have air bag wiring harness issues. Even though my issue wasn't the harness itself, it presents a flaw resulting in a safety and state inspection issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10434415, filed 2011-11, 56,745 milesBrakes: “While driving 20 MPH consumer applied the brakes but they braely functioned. This caused the vehicle to hit a bus. Upon impact, both frontal airbags did not deploy. A signal flashed on the dashboard indicating air bags malfunctioned. No injuries reported. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a repair facility. Not only did the air nag fail to deploy but the dash indicator illuminated indicating a malfunction with the restraint system”
NHTSA complaint #10073609, filed 2004-06, 900 milesMileage when problems were reported
64% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,700 and 56,745 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Electrical systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2006, SLK 2005–2009, SL Class 2003–2004, 2006, 2009 +13 more
Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class…
- 05V133000Apr 1, 2005Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2005, SL Class 2003–2005, CLS Class 2006
On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
- 04V296000Jun 22, 2004Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2003–2005, SL Class 2003–2004
On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will…
- 03V534000Dec 19, 2003Seat beltsCovers: Mercedes-Benz E Class 2004, C Class 2004, CLK Class 2004
On certain passenger vehicles, some seat belt buckles may have a burr on a metal component of the locking mechanism. The presence of the burr could prevent the seat belt from locking under certain circumstances.
Recall details for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class → · 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. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10136029Jun 20, 2014Equipment. SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
- 10030964Jun 5, 2009Brakes, Other or unknown. Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. The sbc…
- 10025825Jun 16, 2008Exterior lighting. Mercedes-benz: model 211.026, 065, 070, 076, 082, 083, 265, 276, 282, 283 (e-class). Vin a564853 and x161341; equipped with bi-xenon and curve illumination. Curve illumination nonfunctional.
- 10025826May 21, 2008Exterior lighting. Mercedes benz: model 211.026, 056, 065, 070, 072, 076, 077, 082, 083, 087, 090, 256, 265, 276, 277, 282, 283, 287 equipped with option code 615 (bi-xenon). Headlamp range adjustment nonfunctional…
- 10025554Mar 1, 2008Fuel system, Other or unknown. Mercedes benz service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Check fuel filter module assembly and repair or replace if necessary. Models 211 and 219 amg. Model years 2003-2006. Csc…
- 10019822Jan 1, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. Inspect transmission pilot bushing at electrochydraulic unit and replace if necessary. The transmission pilot bushing may have been installed on the control units with non-tempered sealing rings…
- 10020183Jul 1, 2006Transmission and drivetrain. Dirt can collect in the rear sleeves on the front axle carrier. Clean sleeves on front axle carrier and install new bolts and washers.
- 10020181Jul 1, 2006Tires. The tirefit hose connector may not screw onto the tire valve with an air tight seal. In case of a flat tire, the customer may not be able to inflate the spare tire using tirefit.
- 10016632Apr 1, 2006Electrical system. The alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits.
- 10016646Mar 1, 2006Electrical system. Implausible or illogical messages can appear in the instrument cluster.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 38,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 10 | 65,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 9 | 64,410 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 15 | 5,450 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 45 | 9,718 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 8 | 44,716 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 15 | 69,300 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 34 | 78,800 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 13 | 99,059 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 24 | 98,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 38 | 90,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 16 | 125,250 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 21 | 170,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 38 | 111,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 7 | 72,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz E Class model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,450 miles and the middle half falls between 1,700 and 56,745 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.