2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility); however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the sunroof glass was manufactured in a year outside of the year stated in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the sunroof glass was not covered under the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11647683

Incident

Mar 11, 2024

To Whom It May Concern, I took my 2004 Mercedes-Benz into the Stevens Creek location located in San Jose, CA 95129 to have the sliding roof bonding recall fixed on December 24, 2024. I have attached the repair invoice to this complaint. It has now been almost two full months and I am still being blocked from updating my vehicle registration because my vehicle needs to complete an Official Brake and Light Adjustment Certification. However, the recall vin lookup page (https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/) has been showing my recall as incomplete for almost two full months now. The mechanic that performs the Brake and Light inspection says the vehicle will fail the test until the recall vin lookup page displays a 0 for my vehicle. Once again, this issue is preventing me from updating my vehicle registration until the recall vin lookup page shows the successful completion of the vehicle recall performed on December 24, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz of Stevens Creek. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11643417

Incident

Dec 24, 2024

SBC braking system stated as covered under 25 year/unlimited miles warranty. SBC system failed on 2/1/25. Vehicle towed to local dealer service facility on 2/3/25. Tow was authorized at no charge by MB Roadside Assistance at no charge plus $100.00 credit toward diagnostic. Was told by phone on 2/3/25 that upon confirmation that SBC did in fact fail, the SBC replacement would be performed at no charge due to warranty through 2028. As of 2/10/25 service facility did confirm that the SBC system had failed. Currently, MB USA has a HOLD pending for authorization of repairs, with no reason given as to why as of 2/13/25.

NHTSA ID

11642524

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

The sunroof has a recall due to the fact that it has a bad seal, which could fly off due to this issue. I know the seal is bad because the whole roof leaked a few years ago and fried all the electronic; e.g. lights, sunroof controls, trunk light controls, side door controls. I went to the dealership and they said they would not fix it because they could not open the sunroof to see the manufacturer date on it.

NHTSA ID

11586834

Incident

May 3, 2024

The driver's side mirror auto-dim function failed (as theorized by simple research where others have this issue) December 2023 and leaked a liquid behind the glass causing blurriness, double vision, and extremely dim reflection. This makes it difficult to safely judge other traffic using the mirror and seems very dangerous while driving. It also seems to present a risk of misjudging any other objects on the road which are reliant on this mirror. The equivalent replacement mirror glass alone is prohibitively expensive and Mercedes-Benz USA was contacted twice for help and refused to provide help or replacement. Neither the manufacturer nor another entity has inspected it yet. The mirror is available for inspection upon request. The passenger side view mirror is not auto-dimming so there is no issue.

NHTSA ID

11584505

Incident

Dec 22, 2023

The glue around front windshield has deteriorated and has caused major damage to my interior lights, electrical essemblys , interior damage to seats , dash board and flooring. Including the trunk seal is also deteriorated and causing the battery to stop working and has made my car non drivable.

NHTSA ID

11563988

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

Mercedes Benz has a KNOWN safety problem with this model and has not put it under recall yet and it needs to be. The wire casing in the wiring harness for the headlights crumbles and leaves exposed wires that touch, short, and draw causing dim headlights. Due to being cited for dim headlights the night before, I called MBUSA on December 27 2023 and they initially REFUSED to take a case from me.

NHTSA ID

11562004

Incident

Dec 26, 2023

The TRUNK will not open. It is supposed to open by pressing the button on the key fob or taking the thin key out of the key fob and manually open the truck with the keyed lock. Neither method works. There is absolutely no way to open the trunk otherwise (i.e. inside button or lever). When the key fob button and the thin key do not work there is absolutely no way to open the truck. There is no way to access the lock from the trunk lid rear and there is no way to access the trunk from behind the back seat cushions. It is a very bad situation and dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11560575

Incident

Sep 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that the headliner had detached from the sunroof causing rainwater to enter the interior of the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was documented as completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the recall repair was not completed, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that the sunroof was manually closed by the dealer and advised the contact to never open the sunroof. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11559137

Incident

Nov 16, 2023

Mileage

118,000 mi

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 equipped with Arroyo Tires, Tire Line: Grand Sport ZR A/S, Tire Size: 225/55/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an unusual sound coming from the rear tires. The contact parked the vehicle and became aware that the rear tires tread had separated, and the steel belts were visible. The tires were not replaced. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the tires were replacement tires purchased at Pep Boys. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 250,000. The tire failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11530822

Incident

Jul 6, 2023

Mileage

250,000 mi

The rear passenger side inside door handle will not open the door. This is an unacceptable safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11518642

Incident

Dec 12, 2020

October 26, 2022 my 2004 Mercedes model E320 W211 VIN # [XXX] dash pop out warning " Brake Wearing visit workshop" October 27, 2022 I had the brake pads and wear sensors both replaced and test drive verified car running normal for 30 minutes then dash pop out RED warning "Brake malfunction stop vehicle" plus transmission shifter stick to parking port can not be shift to other position, so can not drive and car being forced to stop on the road, I managed to press the lock off so can shift out of parking but there has no brake function when driving, I called MB USA and being advised that my car qualified to 25 years extended warranty for SBC hydraulic pump repair, 2005070007 2005110001 but when I tow my car to Mercedes dealer they said it only repair the Recall: 2020040011 - Sliding Roof Bonding - Phase 2, but the SBC Hydraulic pump may be at additional service charges, Please help investigate why Mercedes USA said it is under 25 years extended warranty while dealer said it might not qualify? car can not drive because of the SBC hydraulic pump problem and defected the driving safety? Best Regards/[XXX] email: [XXX] tel: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11491955

Incident

Oct 27, 2022

Mileage

158,200 mi

Total brake failure Had to cross the over to the other side of the road to turn around. Was almost hit by an oncoming big rig truck . I've looked it up and this is a common occurrence on these vehicles,! They have a SBC unit that has caused numerous incidents exactly like mine . Someone could easily be killed because of this defect. I've read that they extended the warranty for 25 years . But I haven't been notified. They notified me about a recall of the sun roof but not this!!

NHTSA ID

11478601

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

My car seat belts not fastened and car door warning devices stop working. I took it to the Mercedes service department and told and showed them the safety system was not warning me when my door was not properly closed or when I removed the seat belt while driving. They told me that they needed to replace my instrument cluster in order to fix the issue. They charged me almost $2300.00 to change the panel. When I went to pick the vehicle up. And I drove off and took my seat belt off to see if the repair was done and no warning light came on. I than while driving through a parking lot open my door and no warning happened. Now the dealership is telling me that their is nothing they can do to address this dangerous safety issue and that I have no recourse to get what I paid for. Because Mercedes Benz Corp will not allow them to code the new instrument cluster. I was driving one day and did not realize the door was ajar until I hit a bump and heard the rattling. I have spoken with other Mercedes Benz owners of my model and found they've had this problem, but it is just too expensive to repair. I have been dealing with this now since December of 2021 and now no one from the dealership is returning any calls or offered a answer to this issue. I have spoken with the Service Director last on February 7 2022. And he has not reached out to me since.

NHTSA ID

11453966

Incident

Dec 10, 2021

Extreme Gas Odor after filling gas tank and during time of driving.

NHTSA ID

11452891

Incident

Feb 18, 2022

The vehicle will flood after being exposed to rain which has caused all sorts of electrical issues. I have read online where several others have filed lawsuits regarding E class Mercedes for similar issues. The car’s interior will take on water and since there’s several electrical components running along the floor board of the car they will become damaged and cause the car’s computers and electrical system to go crazy. I picked up my car from having the oil changed at a local service shop a few days after it was repaired and I was driving back home after the service pick up and the car completely lost power. I got out of the car and opened the trunk in which I had to do so by using the key inside of the key fob. When I opened the trunk, I noticed that there was a little bit of water in the trunk which led me to open the back door and to my surprise there was standing water behind the driver seat. I checked the driver floor and it was soaked as well. I had the car towed back to the shop where I had the oil changed and the owner did not have the available equipment to test the car. I dried the car out over the next several days and drove to a local Mercedes dealership where they told me to do a full diagnostic on the car it would cost upwards of $19k. Are you kidding me? Now I know from reading others stories that this isn’t an unknown issue. So, what do I do now…file an insurance claim? I guess that would be the next step but they’ll turn around and get the money right back out of me by raising my policy rates. This is terrible. My car is a 2004 E320 with just under 65k miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11427255

Incident

May 4, 2021

DRIVER IS EXPERIENCING A HEAVY ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FILL UP. VEHICLE IS NOT OVERFILLED/TOPPED OFF. VEHICLE WAS SITTING INSIDE GARAGE WHEN OWNER NOTICED A HEAVY FUEL ODOR AND NOTIFIED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE. PER RECOMMENDATIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, KEEP VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE UNTIL ISSUE COULD BE INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC. MECHANIC INSPECTED FUEL SYSTEM AND FOUND FUEL LEAK UNDER REAR SEATS NEAR FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES REPAIR ISSUE SAYING IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS ARE ESPECIALLY HEAVY INSIDE A SINGLE CAR GARAGE, AND IF A IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED IT COULD BECOME FATAL.

NHTSA ID

11397478

Incident

Jan 20, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

I FILLED THE GAS TANK FULL AND ON PULLING IN THE GARAGE COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE... WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGE THE NEXT DAY AND THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED HE COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM MY CAR AT VALVOLINE OIL CHANGE.... VERY STRONG SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS WELL AS WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR YOU COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GAS... THE GENTLEMAN FROM VALVOLINE LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAID THERE'S SOME TYPE OF COVER THAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK ITSELF AND PUT HIS FINGER INTO IT AND COULD TOUCH GASOLINE ON HIS HAND... I JUST WENT ONTO THE INTERNET AND READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED... IN THOSE COMPLAINTS THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT THEIR CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REMEDY AND THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL... AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE BIT AND REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK THE SMELL HAS SUBSIDED SOMEWHAT... THOSE COMPLAINTS ALSO MENTION THAT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WITH THIS TYPE OF LEAK

NHTSA ID

11388481

Incident

Jan 12, 2021

Mileage

165,000 mi

ON 12/16/2020 WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE FAILED. A RED WARNING TRIANGLE APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THE CARS BRAKING ABILITY WAS SEVERELY REDUCED AND TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC COULD FIND NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE RED WARNING LIGHT WAS GONE AND THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY/RECALL FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CAR RELATED TO BRAKE FAILURE. MERCEDES WILL REPLACE THE SENSORTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (SBC) FREE PROVIDED THE CORRECT CODES ARE EVIDENT WHEN THEY DIAGNOSE THE CAR.(SAFETY RECALL #2005110001 I BELIEVE) MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE ARE NO CODES SHOWING FOR THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES ARE NOW FUNCTIONING. MY ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS CAN BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE RELUCTANT OR WILL NOT REPLACE THE SBC IF THERE ARE NO CODES. AFTER CONTACTING MERCEDES THE CAR IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I TYPE THIS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT MERCEDES WILL DO THE CORRECT THING AND REPLACE THEIR ADMITTEDLY FLAWED BRAKE MODULE BUT IT ISN'T LOOKING GOOD AS THEY SAID IF THE CORRECT CODES DO NOT APPEAR THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. THE INSANE IDEA THAT I AM EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE BRAKES FAIL AGAIN IN ORDER TO GET THEM REPLACED IS UNACCEPTABLE. I'M IN A NO WIN SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

11386386

Incident

Dec 16, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

SENSOR TONIC BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT IN INTERMITTENTLY

NHTSA ID

11338324

Incident

Jul 4, 2020

Mileage

250 mi

BACK AIR BAG BEHIND DRIVER LOST AIR WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IN TO REPAIR THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AIR LINE. THEY REPAIRED BUT SAME THING HAPPENED LEAVING REPAIR SHOP AT AN INTERSECTION. ALL THE LIGHT TURNED ON TO STOP DRIVING JUST LIKE BEFORE. I TOWED BACK TO SHOP.THEY SAID THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDED TO ALL BE REPLACED.MY ONLY REASON TO FILE THIS IS THE FEAR I HAD OF GETTING HURT OR HURTING OTHER BY MY VEHICLE JUST BEING UNDRIVABLE WHILE IN MOTION ON MAJOR INTSECTION.THIS PROBLEM OCCURED BEFORE BUT ALWAYS WHEN LEAVING MY HOME SO ID JUST WAIT FOR THE AIR SUSPENSION SELF CORRECT. WHICH IT HAD BEFORE.I WAS ONLY GOING 15MPG OR SO WHEN IT GAVE OUT I WAS APPROCHING MY RIGHT HAND TURN. WE ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH MORE DETAILS AND DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

11327571

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

148,089 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E 320. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PROVIDED A DIAGNOSIS OVER THE PHONE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11319454

Incident

Mar 26, 2020

Mileage

127,000 mi

HEAVY FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY STRUCTURES COULD CATCH FIRE IF FUEL IS LEAKING AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED. ONLY VIABLE REASON WHY FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT IS EITHER THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT A LOCATION OR THE VENT HAS FAILED. VEHICLE FUEL ODOR IS ESPECIALLY STRONG IF VEHICLE WAS FILLED UP RECENTLY BUT IS PRESENT 24/7.

NHTSA ID

11315421

Incident

Nov 5, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BLUE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUOUSLY PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS (9250 BEVERLY BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210, (310) 659-2980) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11288176

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS PERCEIVED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER DEALER (703-284-2500, LOCATED AT 624 S GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA 22204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CANISTER VALVE AND PURGE VALVE SHUT OFF AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VALVES AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11245208

Incident

May 10, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi