2004 Mercedes Benz E320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
203 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
98,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 167 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 79 of 203 complaints (38.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 81 | 39.9% |
| Braking behavior | 51 | 25.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 79 |
| Service Brakes | 41 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 34 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 79; Service Brakes: 41; Fuel System, Gasoline: 34; Electrical System: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Air Bags: 5; Exterior Lighting: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 64 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 64; 150,000 and above: 17
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (64). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 47 |
| 2014 | 32 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2004: 2; 2005: 7; 2008: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 9; 2012: 16; 2013: 47; 2014: 32; 2015: 22; 2016: 13; 2017: 10; 2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 81 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 51 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10287486 · 2009-10-15 (October 15, 2009)
GAS LEAK IN CABIN AREA UNDER REAR SEAT BEHIND DRIVER. I REMOVED THE SEAT AND SAW A COLLECTION OF FUEL ACCUMATE ON TOP OF THE FUEL SENDER UNIT AND SMELLS WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. HOWEVER, THE SMELL DISAPPEARS AS GAS IS USED UP. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER UNDER MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS IS MAJOR DEFECT AND WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET SEVERAL FOLKS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP WITH GETTING THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THIS SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD THE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE EXPLOSION... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10287486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370377 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)
MERCEDES 2004 E320 FUEL TANK LEAKING UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHICH IS WORST RIGHT AFTER FILLUP, BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106920 · 2004-12-14 (December 14, 2004)
BRAKE FAILURE, CAUSED A MAJOR COLLISION. CAR DID NOT STOP IN TIME TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *BF CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RECALL STATING THAT THE PUMP MOTOR MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES THEREBY TRIGGERING THEY HYDRAULIC BACKUP FUNCTION MODE LEAVING CONSUMER TO USE GREATER BRAKE PRESSURE LEAVING BRAKE TRAVEL LONGER LIKELY TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109336 · 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED INTO A GLASS WINDOW OF A BUSINESS. NO INJURIES REPORTED. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INSISTED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332413 · 2010-05-26 (May 26, 2010)
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ON MY 2004 MERCEDES E320 WAGON WHICH ONLY HAD 85K MILES. IF IT HAD FAILED AND JUST WOULD NOT WORK, THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUCH AN ISSUE, HOWEVER, WHEN IT FAILED IT LEFT THE ENGINE ON REQUIRING ME TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. STEPS TO REPRODUCE: 1) PUT ELECTRONIC KEY IN CAR 2) TURN KEY TO FULLY ON AND START CAR 3) TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION AND REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION ENTIRELY NOTE CAR IS STILL ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF EVEN AFTER AN HOUR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367890 · 2010-11-26 (November 26, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 MB E320 TO THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT AT THE TIME THAT TURNED GREEN BEFORE I STOPPED. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GO, THERE WAS NO POWER. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE LOCAL GARAGE SAID I WAS OUT OF GAS, PUT TEN DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS IN IT, CHARGED ME $60.00 AND SAID THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE. THE NEXT TIME MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR OUT, IT STALLED AGAIN IN NEARLY THE SAME PLACE. SHE WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE AS I WAS AND WAS ST…
Owner-reported narrative. 174,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10438200 · 2011-12-03 (December 3, 2011)
2004 E320 4MATIC WAGON. ENGINE STALLED WHILE MERGING TO I-65 SB. VEHICLE WAS 7QT LOW ON OIL. VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL DIPSTICK TO CHECK OIL. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FLEXIBLE SERVICE SYSTEM THAT MONITORS OIL LEVEL, CONDUCTIVITY, TEMP, PRESSURE. OWNERS MANUAL SHOWS THAT IF ANY PARAMETERS ARE OUTSIDE NORMAL, OR IN THE CASE OF SENSOR/SYSTEM FAILURE, A RED WARNING WOULD APPEAR ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO INSTRUCT THE DRIVER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. NO WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. DEALERSHIP STATES INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED…
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109256 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS RESULTED WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFTS 2 OR 3 MORE GEARS AT A TIME. *BF *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883100 · 2016-07-06 (July 6, 2016)
BERBERIAN STOCKTON DEALER WANTS $2,400 TO FIX THE SBC (SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL) $740 TO FIX FRONT BRAKES. THE REP RALPH CARRASCO SAID THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT COMPLY WITH THE REMEDY FOR RECALLS AS THE TIME PERIOD FOR RECALLS HAS EXPIRED. REALLY? REPAIR OF FAULTY BRAKES EXPIRE? I WAS WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN WHEN THE BRIGHT RED MESSAGE "STOP! BRAKES UNSAFE STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY" [ CAN'T RECALL EXACT VERBATIM]. TO STOP THE CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAD BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE .THE CAR FROZE UP, RESTARTS BUT WILL NOT SHIFT GEAR TO DRIVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 180 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585077 · 2014-04-26 (April 26, 2014)
I LEFT MY HOME IN CINCINNATI, OH AT 8:25, WITH A 1/2 TANK OF GAS, DROVE ~ 3 MILES TO HWY126 AND MERGED TO 75S. I MOVED FROM THE RIGHT TO THE MIDDLE TO THE LEFT LANE. AFTER BEING AT 50 MPH ~ 2 MINUTES ON THE LEFT LANE, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE DASHBOARD WAS ALL LIT UP WITH WARNING SIGNS, CHECK ENGINE, BRAKES AND OIL. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHT ON, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED THE KEY OFF, AND THEN BACK ON. THE SAME WARNING SIGNS CAME ON AND THE CAR DID NOT START. I CALLED MERCEDES ASSISTANCE WHO ADVISED TO CALL 911 AND THAT A TOW TRUCK WILL ARRIV…
Owner-reported narrative. 111,573 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585077 at NHTSA ↗