2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 142 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,965miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500, 5% of the 142 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,965 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Benz E500 2004 (54k miles) safety issue1: nov 2008(36k miles), the car used to lose power and shut down while driving with all the lights blinking on the dash board. But I was able to break ansdstop . Sometimes it started back on and sometimes it did not.dealer replaced the crankshaft sensor and the sender unit. Had to pay the bill of $600 plus towing. They did not inspect other safety issues like the sbc pump or let me know about the 10 year warranty. Neither did they tell me if sbc pump failure or its malfunction has any impact on other parts of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10676537, filed 2015-01, 36,003 miles“My mercedes E500 2004 randomly loses power after coming to a stop. I have to pull over to the side and stop. I turn the engine off and back on and it the power is ok. The check engine light goes out after restarting. This would happen one or twice a month. I only have 45k on the car. Now it's happening quite often. The check engine light would come on and than go out after restarting. I have taken it to the dealer several times and they have found no trouble. They give me the gas cap , bad gas, ect. Today I lost power took in to the dealer and now they are stating a power train problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10405366, filed 2011-06, 45,965 miles“Driving at about 60 MPH and start decelerating to turn and the transmission shifted out of gear or to first gear the initial time. I had to pull over, cut the car off completely and then re-start the vehicle for it to shift correctly. Went about a month and it happened again. At first I thought that I had done something, but it started happening more often like once a week and then daily. I was traveling at one time on I-64 and decelerated a bit to go through the hampton tunnel and realized that it happened again as I was accelerating at the end of the tunnel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10234409, filed 2008-07, 88,000 miles“While driving transmission failed at 300 miles. Dealer stated transmission needed to be replaced. Failure occurred when consumer was crossing lanes to an on coming traffic. As the transmission failed, the gear shifted from first gear to neutral on acceleration and vehicle wouldn't move forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10063036, filed 2004-05, 300 miles“Engine check light illuminated. Driver put vehicle into driver and it would only go backwards. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer determined the need for a new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10059243, filed 2004-02, 30 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10165839Jul 14, 2014Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
- 10165844Jul 10, 2014Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
- 10166982Feb 19, 2014During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500
84 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology