2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 problems
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 has 173 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (50%) concerns fuel system. After that come brakes (16%) and suspension (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 173 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 50% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 154 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 17 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 31 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 28 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 19 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 24 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 154 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 87,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 88,000 miles (78 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 87% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Mercedes-Benz E500 with enough data (24 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving home I smelt smoke. I stopped the car to investigate the smell of smoke that was overpowering the now normal scent of gas which filled my vehicle cabin due to a fuel pump leak. When I exited my vehicle I opened up the drivers side rear passenger door to find smoke emitting from that area. I quickly left the immediate vicinity of the smoldering car and when I turned to look back, I saw flames under my car.
On 12/6/07 my family was involved in a head on collision that caused both front airbags to deploy. My concern is regarding the passenger airbag that should not have deployed according to the dashboard console. When my 7 year old daughter is in the passenger seat the ?passenger air bag off? Light stayed on and this was the only reason we let her ride in the front passenger seat. Unfortunately in this accident the airbag deployed which caused minor head injuries.
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.
I have noticed strong gasoline odors emanating from my car after refueling. I purchased a new mercedes benz gas cap and installed it. Filled the gas tank and gasoline odor was still very strong. I do not 'top off' when refueling. Researched issue online at benzworld.org and discovered that the gas odor issue I am experiencing may be related to a problem being seen in numerous mercedes benz e-model vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz e500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the brake pedal was engaged and failed to respond as the brake system warning light illuminated. The contact was able to avoid an accident. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sbc unit needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, the contact stated that while driving at a various speeds, a fuel odor emitted inside the vehicle.