2004 Mercedes Benz E320: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 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 10110854 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
RECALL CAMPAIGN:04V296000 THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *NM THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO GET THE RECALL SERVICE DONE FOR THE REPEATED DEFLATING TIRE AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE CONSUMER WAS REFUSED A RENTAL OR LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY TO THE PUMP AS THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BLEED. ANOTHER CUSTOMERS PARTS WOULD BE USED AS THE PUMP CONTINUED TO BE FAULTY TO THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ALLOWED BY THE SERVICE DEPT T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111673 · 2005-02-17 (February 17, 2005)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN DECELERATION AT 55 MPH FOR A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. TAKEN IN FOR CHECKUP, BUT RESULTS SHOW THAT THE CAUSE IS UNDETERMINED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121829 · 2005-05-22 (May 22, 2005)
VIBRATION WHEN VEHICULE COLD, AFTER A FEW MILES PROBLEM GOES AWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123758 · 2005-06-24 (June 24, 2005)
DT: PURCHASED A NEW MERCEDES BENZ , 320E 2004 MODEL. ON 2 OCCASIONS ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AT ONCE AND WILL NOT CRANK WHEN ENGINE HAS BEEN TRIED TO START AGAIN. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALER EXPLAINED HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. THOUGHT THIS MAY BE THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. MADE REPAIRS AND REPLACED PARTS. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTERWARDS THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, AND THIS WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, WAS AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. HOWEVER, HAS N…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,496 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130331 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
DT: CONTACT STATED WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR WAS CLOSE TO STOPPING. THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AS TO WHEN THIS WILL OCCUR. IT HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 30 TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONCE, BUT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED PERIODICALLY THEY COULD NOT DUPLICAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130331 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗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 ↗