2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class Problems

Complaints

15filed with NHTSA

Median mileage

38,388miles, 12 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 S Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and air bags (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 58% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,388 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.

• Electrical system3 20%
• Transmission and drivetrain3 20%
• Air bags2 13%
• Suspension2 13%
• Brakes1 6.7%
• Seat belts1 6.7%
• Steering1 6.7%
• Body and structure1 6.7%
• Tires1 6.7%
• Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)1 6.7%

Also reported: Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Mileage when problems were reported

58% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,693 and 68,000 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, 2008
  Electrical system
  Covers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2004, SLK 2005–2009, E Class 2003–2006 +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…

• 07V263000Jun 12, 2007
  Suspension
  Covers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2004, CL Class 2000–2004

  On certain vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity causing deterioration of the hose.

• 06V028000Feb 2, 2006
  Interior lighting
  Covers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005, CL Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005

  On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.

• 04V285000Jun 9, 2004
  Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Lock
  Covers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2003–2004, CL Class 2003–2004

  On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position.

Recall details for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

• PE07042Air suspension system failureClosed · Aug 14, 2007

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. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

• 10136035Jun 23, 2014Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
• 10030939Jul 31, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated…
• 10030929Jun 15, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection is…
• 10025845Jul 28, 2008Exterior lighting. Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
• 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…
• 10018931Dec 13, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement.
• 10018833Dec 1, 2005Engine cooling. Inspect catalytic converter, replace if necessary, due to the steel material used to manufacture the catalytic converter housing did not meet din specifications and could lead to a noise complaint.
• 10012831Apr 5, 2005Equipment. Comand head unit hangs at the star symbol when booting up. *tt updated
• 10014593Mar 30, 2005Equipment. Comand head unit disc drive malfunctions at low temperatures. Various models including mercedes-benz model 215, and 220 2004 and 2005.
• 10014583Mar 16, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door.

See all 13 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class

All Mercedes-Benz S Class model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions