2004 Mercedes Benz S Class problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (3) · Electrical System (3) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz S 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 (19)
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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2014-06-23 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
Parking Brake 2009-07-31 · SB-P-047527 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. the function works again after a short time or distance. when the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated. if the foot operated parking brake is on at the first notch, the contact switch may react with a co
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2009-06-15 · TSB-42-10-109 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. once the corrosion protection is damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. include all models an
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2008-07-28 · PB 82-10-630 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side. *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
Power Train 2005-12-13 · 276064 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 19 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2014-03-27 · Air Bags · 108,749 mi“srs system not operating on passenger side. *tr…”
2012-01-16 · Visibility · 38,954 mi“rear view mirror leaking . lava effect, blurred, dimmer failure. *tr…”
2011-04-14 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 64,000 mi“i received a bas/esp malfunction on my steering wheel. this is the second tire monitor that has failed on this car. i have contacted mercedes and notified them of the problem. they have offered no assistance in repairing this safety/mechanical failure. this car should not have these sensors going bad this quickly. …”
2011-01-18 · Steering · 68,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz sl500. while driving the contact noticed that her check engine light illuminated and oil was leaking in the vehicle front of the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test. the failure was located as the power steering pump. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure a…”
2010-09-21 · Electrical System · 33,243 mi · 🔥 fire“tl*the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz s500. while driving 65 mph he started to smell an electrical fire and continued to drive to his destination. after arriving to his destination he noticed that everything electrical in the rear of the vehicle was no longer working. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. the dealer advised him that the…”
2010-07-27 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 72,568 mi“2 weeks ago the shifter on the car started to get harder and harder to get out of park. last week the car's shifter was stuck in park position and does not move. i had to tow the car to a mechanic and they have to replace the whole shifter. *tr…”
2010-04-11 · Seat Belts“i have had to replace two cable harnesses for seat belt in both front seat. connectors are being replaced in every s class due to more than frequent failure. mechanic has informed me that these connectors by not operating will cause safety restraint and airbags to not deploy in accident. consequently had to replace right front passenger child …”
2009-01-30 · Wheels · 86,666 mi“in 12-06 i bought a 2004 mercedes benz s500. since than i took the car back the dealer more ten times the latest was 1-09 for the same reason the air matic defected orcompressure leak,pressure sensor malfunction,air matic valve block defective. some time they found the air matic compressors w/ external leak cause the suspension to be low. in may 20…”
2008-05-22 · Electrical System · 37,823 mi“a complete shutdown of the electrical system occurred after a rain. as a result i am unable to drive the car. mercedes authorized mechanic cites "air intake at blower intake area was inverted at installation from the factory". the car is in process of being repaired. a complete overhaul of the electrical system will have to be performed. the merced…”
2005-12-12 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 6,080 mi“vehicle cut off while driving. proceeded into an intersection, upon acceleration vehicle cut off, no breaks, no power steering. vehicle was pushed across the road, eventually the vehicle started again and i drove it directly to the dealership. service manager indicated after a test no problem at this time. *nm…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.