2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 20%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,243miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class, 20% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,243 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“A complete shutdown of the electrical system occurred after a rain. As a result I am unable to drive the car. Mercedes authorized mechanic cites air intake at blower intake area was inverted at installation from the factory . The car is in process of being repaired. A complete overhaul of the electrical system will have to be performed. The mercedes dealer calls it water intrusion .”
NHTSA complaint #10228707, filed 2008-05, 37,823 miles“While driving vehicle lost power. The engine continued running, but there was no power brake or power steering. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and had been there for 3 weeks, but they could not identify the cause of the failure. A diagnostic test was performed, but no failure code was found. Dealership was awaiting a factory representative to inspect the vehicle. This problem could be attributed to an electrical failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10076163, filed 2004-06, 4,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz s500. While driving 65 MPH he started to smell an electrical fire and continued to drive to his destination. After arriving to his destination he noticed that everything electrical in the rear of the vehicle was no longer working. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised him that the drain hole for the air conditioner had filled the floor board with water. The dealer replaced the transponder module and the fuse box since the transponder melted during the failure. The failure mileage was 33,243 and the current mileage was 33,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10356793, filed 2010-09, 33,243 milesRelated recalls
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Mercedes-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…Covers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2004, SLK 2005–2009, E Class 2003–2006 +13 more
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class
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