2004 Mercedes Benz C320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
64,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 15 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Air Bags: 2; Visibility: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Equipment: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10234598 · 2008-07-16 (July 16, 2008)
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION = GOODYEAR TIRE HAD AN INTERIOR WALL "TEAR" THAT CAUSE SUDDEN DEFLATION SUGGESTING A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS TIRE.....THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED FROM THE TIRE RACK SEPTEMBER 2007 (LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO) AND HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES OF NORMAL SUBURBAN DRIVEN...THE "TECHNICIAN UPON REVIEW OF THE IMAGES OF THE TIRE STATED "NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT". *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275711 · 2009-07-03 (July 3, 2009)
I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356216 · 2010-09-17 (September 17, 2010)
I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES C320 THAT INCORRECTLY THOUGHT THAT IT NEEDED TO CUT POWER TO THE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES, I WOULD GUESS ABOUT 6 OR 7, FROM THE TIME I LEFT MY HOUSE UNTIL I TURNED AROUND AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE DRIVING DISTANCE. THESE WERE NOT ALL COMPLETE LEFT TURNS, MOST WERE CURVES TO THE LEFT. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER LATER THAT DAY, AND DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT LOOKED INTO BECAUSE IT DID NOT DO IT TO HER AND "THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED" ALSO SHE DECIDED SH…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383092 · 2011-02-17 (February 17, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHILE THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THEY HAD THE SAME FAILURE IN ANOTHER MODEL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED A REQUEST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453065 · 2012-03-23 (March 23, 2012)
2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION AND ISSUES WITH HEADLINER AND REAR SAIL PANELS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY PLACED BACK IN THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS SHODDY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10453065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10513731 · 2013-05-28 (May 28, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549582 · 2013-10-25 (October 25, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 79,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560207 · 2014-01-16 (January 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560207 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗