VehicleVerdict

2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other S-Class years?

S-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted101 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 32 complaints1996: 6 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 101 complaints2001: 46 complaints2002: 56 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 3 complaints2009: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints
S-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S-Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System318%
Transmission318%
Suspension212%
Tires & Wheels212%
Airbags212%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Brakes16%
Seat Belts16%
Steering16%
Body & Structure16%

Does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V303000Electrical SystemJuly 7, 2008 · 404 units

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 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.

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.

07V263000EngineJune 12, 2007 · 19,924 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

06V028000LightingFebruary 2, 2006 · 36,911 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

Consequence

DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

04V285000Latches & LocksJune 9, 2004 · 16,690 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.

Consequence

IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 12, 2010 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 21, 2005

“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/…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 28, 2009

“THE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLS DOWN DURING COLD WEATHER, CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO SINK DOWN ON THE WHEELS. A WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON INFORMING THE DRIVER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 3, 2005

“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A SPRAINED HIP, AND A SWOLLEN KNEE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT SENSOR WASN'T HIT UPON IMPACT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 27, 2004 · crash

2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — common questions

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 S-Class problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S-Class years to avoid are 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1995. The cleanest record among S-Class years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.