2004 Mercedes Benz E500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (53) · Fuel System, Gasoline (24) · Suspension (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz E500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
126 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Service bulletins (81)
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.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 81 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“approximately in march 2026, i started noticing a very strong gasoline odor coming from my 2004 mercedes-benz e 500 4-matic with original miles approximately 56,300. the fuel odor always got stronger whenever i would fill up the gas tank. the history on my car is such that it has always been garage kept. the gasoline odor coming from my car started…”
2026-01-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i am submitting this complaint regarding a suspected safety-related defect involving the fuel system of my mercedes-benz vehicle. i have experienced a persistent gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. the presence of fuel odor is not a normal operating condition and reasonably indicates a potential failure involving the fuel tank, fuel lines,…”
2024-03-05 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“vehicle started smoking and caught fire while i was driving. pulled over and vehicle erupted in flames. it took firefighters 2 hours to put out that fire.…”
2022-09-07 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 71,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e500. the contact stated while driving 55 mph, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. the contact stated that upon making a stop, he noticed fuel leaking onto the driver's side rear wheel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was associat…”
2022-01-12 · Service Brakes“the car has smelled like gas from the minute i received it. the previous owner told me that mercedes had quoted 5 grand to fix it so i would only put half a tank in at a time. turns out there was a warranty on it but has since expired. why wasn't it fixed for free when the previous owner brought it? this is very dangerous and can cause an explosion…”
2021-07-22 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 199,700 mi“the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e500. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake malfunction warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the sbc hydraulic unit needing to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact was relatin…”
2021-04-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 141,111 mi“vehicle has a recall on replacement of fuel tank. mercedes benz dealer did not want to honor the recall. when i fill car up with gas it leaks out of the tank and on the ground. mercedes-benz dealer said i missed the time for the recall. i went to the dealership before the recall ended in 2019 spoke with the service advisor at the mckinney mercedes-…”
2020-07-07 · Seat Belts · 166,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz e500. the contact stated that after releasing the driver's seat, the seat belt warning light illuminated with an audible chime. the contact also stated that rear passenger's seat belt failed latch securely in the buckle. additionally, the center seat belt tongue ceased in the buckle. the vehicle was not rep…”
2020-01-08 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 180,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e500. while the vehicle was being refueled, the contact became aware of a fuel leak. the contact stated that there was an abnormal odor detected outside of the vehicle. the contact stated that the the instrument cluster was red and the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to m…”
2019-06-14 · Power Train · 56,000 mi“the problem with my vehicle is that with its current tcm( transmission control module) in a 722.9 transmission, the conductor plate that holds the sensors in place become defective and creates a problem in which the transmission gets stuck in 2nd gear. this causes a major problem driving on road ways that are +45mph because the vehicle cannot driv…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.