Model year record

2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & problems

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 4 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (3 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints15filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 7, 2008

Electrical system

Recall 08V303000404 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 1, 2005

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V133000204,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 22, 2004

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 04V296000143,387 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsDec 19, 2003

Seat belts

Recall 03V5340004,348 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY HAVE A BURR ON A METAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PRESENCE OF THE BURR COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	0	1,700 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood	2	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	1	—
StructureBody	1	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline
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
Feb 8, 2013 · 55,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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
Jun 14, 2012
Fuel/propulsion system
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
Nov 8, 2012 · 100,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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…
Aug 10, 2011 · 60,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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…
Jan 4, 2012 · 160,000 miles
Air bags
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
Oct 18, 2011 · 56,745 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
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
Jul 23, 2004 · 1,700 miles
Power train
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.
Jan 1, 2005 · 14,500 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.