2004 Mercedes Benz E Class problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (2) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz E Class model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (28)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:electrical:anti-Theft Devices 2014-06-20 · LI68.05-P-059193 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sentex gate operator with clik card remote not compatible with homelink
Traction Control System 2009-06-05 · SB-090930 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 t
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2008-06-16 · P-B-82.10/626 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2008-05-21 · PB-82-10/612 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 (u
Fuel System, Other 2008-03-01 · 2008020001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Power Train 2007-01-01 · 2006020008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 28 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2013-08-14 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 55,000 mi“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…”
2013-07-15 · 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…”
2012-12-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100,000 mi“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…”
2012-07-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 60,000 mi“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 di…”
2012-01-05 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 160,000 mi“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 t…”
2011-11-06 · Air Bags · 56,745 mi“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 s…”
2005-01-12 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 1,700 mi“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 engi…”
2005-01-11 · Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire · 14,500 mi“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 ve…”
2004-10-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 6,000 mi“while driving 60 mph brake sensor light came on. as a result, when consumer attempted to pull over total brake failure occurred. *ak…”
2004-09-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 3,500 mi · 💥 crash“mercedes benz e320 2004 - vehicle lurched forward at high rate of speed without operator acceleration. structural damage to home, great concern for the potential of injury if event occurs again. vehicle sent to dealership ( mb bloomfield, mi ) for evaluation. web search finds similar events with same model 2003.*ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.