RoadVitals

2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Aug 14, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jul 7, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 28 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system526.3%
  • Electrical210.5%
  • Brakes210.5%
  • Transmission210.5%
  • Airbags210.5%
  • Tires & wheels15.3%
  • Visibility15.3%
  • Body & structure15.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V303000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jul 7, 2008
404 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2008 070001View on NHTSA.gov
05V133000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Apr 1, 2005
204,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET AND REPLACEMENT GROUND WIRE TO THE SBC PUMP UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONALLY DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SBC PUMP UNIT IN SL VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2005070007 & 2005110View on NHTSA.gov
04V296000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jun 22, 2004
143,387 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 SWITCH, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, INTO THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
The risk: IF VEHICLES ARE NOT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH MILEAGE COMBINED WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF BRAKE ACTUATIONS, OR A HIGH BRAKE ACTUATION FREQUENCY, THE PUMP MOTOR OF THE SBC MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES, THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT, REPLACING IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21M 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2004050014View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Fuel system
Filed Aug 14, 2013

THERE'S STRONG GASOLINE ODOR FROM MY VEHICLE WHENEVER I REFUEL, PARTICULAR AFTER IT'S GARAGED. THE SMELL SEEMS TO GO AWAY ONCE I USED UP 1/3 OR 1/2 TANK. RECENTLY THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE STRONGER. I CAN SMELL IT EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT GARAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535271
Incident
Feb 8, 2013
Mileage
55,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 15, 2013

MY E 320 HAS GAS SMELL IN MY GARAGE AFTER REFUELING SINCE JUNE/2012. THE SMELL IS GETTING EVEN STRONGER FOR LAST A FEW MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524788
Incident
Jun 14, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Dec 7, 2012

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487629
Incident
Nov 8, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 24, 2012

I CAME OUT TO MY GARAGE ONE MORNING TO FIND A MY CAR WREAKING OF FUEL. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR AROUND FOR A FEW TO SEE IF IT THE PUNGENT ODOR WOULD GO DISSIPATE ALTOGETHER. DURING THIS TIME, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO LET HIM DO A QUICK ONCE-OVER BEFORE HE LEFT FOR THE DAY. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST. BEING THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS AND WHATNOT TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT, I HAD IT TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ. I WAS NOT GOING TO LET MY GIRLFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO WAY, NO HOW. SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE(MY LOCAL MECEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP) FOUND A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER MY BACK SEAT. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PARTIALLY UNDER MY THIRD PARTY WARRANTY. I, HOWEVER, HAD TO PAY ROUGHLY $500 OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING ON MANY W211 E CLASS CARS, IT HAS HAPPENED TO SOME MORE THAN ONCE. I'M AT 7X,XXX MILES NOW AND DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST ISN'T TO BE TOLERATED. IT'S DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10467522
Incident
Aug 10, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 5, 2012

AFTER REFUELING AND FILLING THE FUEL TANK, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AND INSIDE THE CAR. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE, PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT SEAL FAILURE CAUSING POOLING OF GASOLINE AROUND THE SENDING UNIT NEXT TO ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND DIRECTLY UNDER THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT. I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND ACCESS PANEL TO THE SENDING UNIT AND DISCOVERED POOLED GASOLINE AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. THE SENDING UNIT APPEARED TIGHT. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CUTS OR FAILURE TO THE HOSE, JUST AROUND THE SENDING UNIT ITSELF. MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER CLAIMED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS CONDITION, EVEN THOUGH THERE APPEAR TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO BRING MY CAR IN TO BE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC TO TRULY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442586
Incident
Jan 4, 2012
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 6, 2011

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434415
Incident
Oct 18, 2011
Mileage
56,745 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 12, 2005

VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE 2004. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOUR TIMES WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE FOR THE SAME ISSUE - TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT LEAK IS RELATED TO CONNECTOR (?) NOT BEING LONG ENOUGH AND HAS USED ANOTHER NON-MANUFACTURING SPEC'D CONNECTOR TO RESOLVE MATTER. VEHICLE IS ALSO LEAKING ENGINE OIL. ON LAST SERVICE IT WAS NOTED THAT SWEAT STAINS WERE SEEN AND GASKET REPLACED. AS OF TODAY - ENGINE OIL LEAK EVIDENCE CAN STILL BE SEEN. VEHICLE IS IN DANGEROUS STATE SINCE SERIOUS MALFUNCTION IS IMMINENT. LEMON LAW ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10106235
Incident
Jul 23, 2004
Mileage
1,700 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Jan 11, 2005

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK POSITION TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. *BF 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. *SC WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, HE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10111089
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
14,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI68.05-P-059193

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink

SB-090930

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS; TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

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 HYDRAULIC UNIT EXTENDED LIMITED WARRANTY APPLIES TO ALL CONDITIONS THAT JUSTIFY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT UNDER THE STANDARD WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS. *PE

P-B-82.10/626

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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. *PE

PB-82-10/612

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 WITH DTC CODES 9010, 9011, 9012, 9013 OR 9024 (UP TO VIN B111276); PARKING LIGHT LED NONFUNCTIONAL (UP TO VIN B100720). *PE

2008020001

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

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 WAS RECEIVED. *PE

2006020008

POWER TRAIN

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 WHICH MAY CAUSE A SMALL LEAK TO OCCUR. *TT UPDATED 04-11-07. *KB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz E Class by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008500—
2006101144.1
2005931—
2004Viewing154049.9
2003454046.7
2002800—
2001150238.7
2000341343.5
1999131239.6
1998240237.7
1997381243.9
1996162143.7
1995212048.5
1994382053.8
1993720—
1992020—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—
1988010—
1987010—
1986010—
1985010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.