2004 Mercedes Benz S CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
38,389 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 15 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 26.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 26.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10076163 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
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. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. DEALERSHIP WAS AWAITING A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10076163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145035 · 2005-12-12 (December 12, 2005)
RAINING, VEHICLE LEAK OF WATER FROM STORM FRONT PASSENGER, LEFT AND RIGHT REAR PASSENGER FLOOR AREA COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH WATER. WATER RESULTED IN ELECTRICAL CONTROL PANEL SHORTAGE. NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO SPEEDOMETER, INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERING. DROVE TO DEALER, DIAGNOSIS WATERDRAIN OFF NEAR WINDSHIELD DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED AFTER PARTS ORDERED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 11,693 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145030 · 2005-12-12 (December 12, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 6,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145034 · 2005-12-12 (December 12, 2005)
ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE PROCEEDING TO ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING REMAINING HESITANT WHEN ACCELERATING. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, TEST PERFORMED. IT WAS DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. PARTS ORDERED AND VEHICLE REPAIRED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 6,482 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145034 at NHTSA ↗