2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
19
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
The 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS has received a total of 19 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (3 complaints), Fuel System Gasoline (2 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS, potentially affecting up to 352,139 vehicles.
Recall 08V303000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 404 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 05V133000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 204,000 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Recall 04V296000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 143,387 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 03V534000 — SEAT BELTS
| 4,348 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
19 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuelpropulsion System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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
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
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
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
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
Safety Rating for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2006010006 — STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE REMOTE TRUNK CLOSING CONTROL UNIT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY DURABLE AND MAY RESULT IN THE NEED TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUNK MANUALLY. REPLACE REMOTE TRUNK CLOSING CONTROL UNIT. *TT
424646B — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) BLEEDING PROCEDURE. VARIOUS INCLUDING MY2005 M-BENZ E-CLASS AND SL-CLASS INCLUDED. *TT THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES PB42.46/46 DATED JUNE 24, 2004. ALL MODELS. *TT
2004070020 — STRUCTURE:BODY
MODIFICATION OF WATER DRAINS IN LEFT/RIGHT FRONT WHEELHOUSES. *TT
2004070019 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FLASH CENTRAL GATEWAY (CGW). *TT
424643 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN GENTLY APPLYING BRAKE. MODEL 211 MY2005 ALSO INCLUDED. *TT
722031A — STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN FULLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TT *MJ
916071 — AIR BAGS
OPERATIONAL NOTES ON NEW WEIGHT SENSING SYSTEM (WSS) OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS). MERCEDES-BENZ 211 (E-CLASS) MY2005 ALSO INCLUDED. *TT
8295322 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
TELE AID NOT ACTIVE DISPLAYED IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TT
010104 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2003 SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *JB
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS
- 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 20 complaints
- 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 61 complaints
- 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 33 complaints
- 2002 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 8 complaints
- 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 69 complaints
- 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS (current)
- 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 10 complaints
- 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 11 complaints
- 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 5 complaints
- 2009 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS — 0 complaints
Other MERCEDES BENZ Models
- MERCEDES BENZ C300 — 4,886 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ E350 — 2,649 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ E320 — 1,515 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ ML350 — 1,236 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ ML320 — 1,087 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ GLK350 — 1,031 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ C250 — 898 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ C230 — 879 total complaints