MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mercedes Benz S Class

○ Not enough data
2004 Mercedes Benz S Class
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:35:22.980Z

Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercedes Benz S Class Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 27 complaints 1996: 6 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 2 complaints 1998 1999: 9 complaints 2000: 81 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 48 complaints 2002 2003: 28 complaints 2004: 15 complaints 2004 2005: 2 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2009 2012: 1 complaints 2012
2004: 15 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199412
199527
19966
19972
19982
19999
200081
200136
200248
200328
200415
20052
20092
20121

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 15 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

POWER TRAIN

3 of 15 total reports mention: power train.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 of 15 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100921

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKE OR POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD BEEN THERE FOR 3 WEEKS, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040614

WHEELS

1 of 15 total reports mentions: wheels.

VISIBILITY

1 of 15 total reports mentions: visibility.

TIRES

1 of 15 total reports mentions: tires.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040817 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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

Campaign 04V285000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060929 — interior lighting

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 OPERATIO

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 SC

Campaign 06V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070702 — engine and engine cooling, suspension

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 T

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.

Campaign 07V263000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20070814 — PE (closed 20071120)

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE

R 20080830 — electrical system

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 C

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.

Campaign 08V303000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Mercedes Benz S Class — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V285000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V028000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V263000 (engine and engine cooling, suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V303000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

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

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.