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FaultScore report

2004 Mercedes Benz S Class problems

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class with NHTSA between 2004 and 2014. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 8 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz S Class All 2004 cars
C

FaultScore 50/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz S Class.

How this is worked out

The numbers

17

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

51,477 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

36%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 21 vs 50 Severity 91 vs 50 Early failure 61 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 21
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz S Class. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 91
17.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 61
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2004 compares with every other Mercedes Benz S Class

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 3 17.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 33,243 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 17.6%

Median failure at 6,482 miles

Suspension 2 11.8%

Median failure at 86,666 miles

Airbags 2 11.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 108,749 mi

Seat Belts 1 5.9%
Wheels 1 5.9%

Median failure at 86,666 miles

Tires 1 5.9%

Median failure at 86,666 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 5.9%

Median failure at 38,954 miles

Body & Structure 1 5.9%

Median failure at 11,693 miles

Brakes 1 5.9%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

Steering 1 5.9%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 21.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 7.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 21.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 21.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 21.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 7.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 2004 peak 3 Mar 2014

NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE07042 Opened 14 Aug 2007 Closed 20 Nov 2007 SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:LINES AND FITTINGS

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE

THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM, AN ALERT WILL FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING THE DRIVER TO EITHER DRIVE CAREFULLY OR TO STOP THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT CAN BE REDUCED BY AS MUCH AS 105 MM BELOW NORMAL RIDE HEIGHT BEFORE THE FULL LOAD OF THE VEHICLE FOR THAT WHEEL COMES TO REST ON A STEEL ROD, WIT...

Recalls on the 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2008290 279 units in Canada

Other

Certain vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) the sensors on the front struts may not operate within tolerances. As such, the sensor signal may not be accurately transmitted to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). A variation in the transmitted values can result in one front strut adjusting to a value while the other does not adjust and presenting the driver with an uneven front suspension. This situation could have an effect on the vehicle's directional stability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash with injuries or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace affected AZ-sensors

Recall 2007195 884 units in Canada

Steering

On certain vehicles equipped with an 8-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control's high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalictic converter which could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hose.

Recall 2006031 1,313 units in Canada

Electrical

Certain vehicles may experience instrument cluster backlighting malfunction. There are three distinct failure modes. (1) Vehicles built between 06/2000 and 11/2000 may contain a defective transformer that could cause an electrical short. (2) Vehicles built from 01/2002 to 04/2002 could have incorrect dielectric layers inside a capacitor that could lead to fluctuating current levels. (3) Vehicles built between 05/2004 and 09/2004 may have incorrect light emitting diodes (LEDs). Correction: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster module.

Recall 2004184 859 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position due to extensive exposure to very high temperatures. This failure only occurs in the closed position and causes the trunk lid to fail to spring open upon being unlocked, thereby providing warning to the owner of the broken spring condition. Correction: Dealers will replace the trunk lid springs.

Recall 2004153 277 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles equipped with a 12-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control's high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalictic converter which could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hose.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 33,243 miles Naples, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE STARTED TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER ARRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION HE NOTICED THAT EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE DRAIN HOLE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD FILLED THE FLOOR BOARD WITH WATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSPONDER MODULE AND THE FUSE BOX SINCE THE TRANSPONDER MELTED DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,243 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,300.

NHTSA complaint #10356793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waldorf, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A SPRAINED HIP, AND A SWOLLEN KNEE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT SENSOR WASN'T HIT UPON IMPACT AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10087121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 108,749 miles Naples, FL

AIR BAGS

SRS SYSTEM NOT OPERATING ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10575184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,954 miles SAN Diego, CA

VISIBILITY

REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAKING . LAVA EFFECT, BLURRED, DIMMER FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10443915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Dumfries, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I RECEIVED A BAS/ESP MALFUNCTION ON MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE MONITOR THAT HAS FAILED ON THIS CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THIS SAFETY/MECHANICAL FAILURE. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE SENSORS GOING BAD THIS QUICKLY.

NHTSA complaint #10396490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Destin, FL

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OIL WAS LEAKING IN THE VEHICLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #10377090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,243 miles Naples, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE STARTED TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER ARRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION HE NOTICED THAT EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE DRAIN HOLE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD FILLED THE FLOOR BOARD WITH WATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSPONDER MODULE AND THE FUSE BOX SINCE THE TRANSPONDER MELTED DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,243 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,300.

NHTSA complaint #10356793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,568 miles Philadelphia, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2 WEEKS AGO THE SHIFTER ON THE CAR STARTED TO GET HARDER AND HARDER TO GET OUT OF PARK. LAST WEEK THE CAR'S SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN PARK POSITION AND DOES NOT MOVE. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SHIFTER.

NHTSA complaint #10345601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cranston, RI

SEAT BELTS

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO CABLE HARNESSES FOR SEAT BELT IN BOTH FRONT SEAT. CONNECTORS ARE BEING REPLACED IN EVERY S CLASS DUE TO MORE THAN FREQUENT FAILURE. MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT THESE CONNECTORS BY NOT OPERATING WILL CAUSE SAFETY RESTRAINT AND AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. CONSEQUENTLY HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER CHILD RESTRAINT SENSOR IN A 2004 S500 MERCEDES 4MATIC DUE TO FAILURE ALSO. BOTH ITEMS AS DESCRIBED ARE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED IN S-CLASS VEHICLES DUE TO FAILURE. LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT TO FIND OUT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10324960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,666 miles Wyandanch, NY

WHEELS

IN 12-06 I BOUGHT A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. SINCE THAN I TOOK THE CAR BACK THE DEALER MORE TEN TIMES THE LATEST WAS 1-09 FOR THE SAME REASON THE AIR MATIC DEFECTED ORCOMPRESSURE LEAK,PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTION,AIR MATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE. SOME TIME THEY FOUND THE AIR MATIC COMPRESSORS W/ EXTERNAL LEAK CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO BE LOW. IN MAY 2008 FOR LEAK IN THE COMPRESSOR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. AGAIN IN JULY 2008 AIR MATIC COMPRESSOR AGAIN LEAK. AUG 2008 THEY TOLD ME IT RELAY DEFECTIVE THE AIRMATIC PUMP WAS STUCK AND THE AIRMATIC PUMP DID NOT PASS PNUMATIC TEST AGAIN THEY TOLD ME THE DEALER CHARGED $821.03.JAN2009 AIRMATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE AGAIN CHARGED $765.89.I THINK SOME COMPLETELY WRONG WITH THIS CAR, BUT THE DEALER AND THE HEAD OF THE MERCEDES BENZ DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ME THE CAR COST ME ALOT OF MONEYS AND EVERY OTHER MONTH I MUST FIND MONEY TO FIXED THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT NOT FAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10256937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,666 miles Wyandanch, NY

SUSPENSION

IN 12-06 I BOUGHT A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. SINCE THAN I TOOK THE CAR BACK THE DEALER MORE TEN TIMES THE LATEST WAS 1-09 FOR THE SAME REASON THE AIR MATIC DEFECTED ORCOMPRESSURE LEAK,PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTION,AIR MATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE. SOME TIME THEY FOUND THE AIR MATIC COMPRESSORS W/ EXTERNAL LEAK CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO BE LOW. IN MAY 2008 FOR LEAK IN THE COMPRESSOR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. AGAIN IN JULY 2008 AIR MATIC COMPRESSOR AGAIN LEAK. AUG 2008 THEY TOLD ME IT RELAY DEFECTIVE THE AIRMATIC PUMP WAS STUCK AND THE AIRMATIC PUMP DID NOT PASS PNUMATIC TEST AGAIN THEY TOLD ME THE DEALER CHARGED $821.03.JAN2009 AIRMATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE AGAIN CHARGED $765.89.I THINK SOME COMPLETELY WRONG WITH THIS CAR, BUT THE DEALER AND THE HEAD OF THE MERCEDES BENZ DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ME THE CAR COST ME ALOT OF MONEYS AND EVERY OTHER MONTH I MUST FIND MONEY TO FIXED THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT NOT FAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10256937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,666 miles Wyandanch, NY

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

IN 12-06 I BOUGHT A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500. SINCE THAN I TOOK THE CAR BACK THE DEALER MORE TEN TIMES THE LATEST WAS 1-09 FOR THE SAME REASON THE AIR MATIC DEFECTED ORCOMPRESSURE LEAK,PRESSURE SENSOR MALFUNCTION,AIR MATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE. SOME TIME THEY FOUND THE AIR MATIC COMPRESSORS W/ EXTERNAL LEAK CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO BE LOW. IN MAY 2008 FOR LEAK IN THE COMPRESSOR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. AGAIN IN JULY 2008 AIR MATIC COMPRESSOR AGAIN LEAK. AUG 2008 THEY TOLD ME IT RELAY DEFECTIVE THE AIRMATIC PUMP WAS STUCK AND THE AIRMATIC PUMP DID NOT PASS PNUMATIC TEST AGAIN THEY TOLD ME THE DEALER CHARGED $821.03.JAN2009 AIRMATIC VALVE BLOCK DEFECTIVE AGAIN CHARGED $765.89.I THINK SOME COMPLETELY WRONG WITH THIS CAR, BUT THE DEALER AND THE HEAD OF THE MERCEDES BENZ DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ME THE CAR COST ME ALOT OF MONEYS AND EVERY OTHER MONTH I MUST FIND MONEY TO FIXED THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT NOT FAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10256937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,823 miles Washington, DC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OCCURRED AFTER A RAIN. AS A RESULT I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. MERCEDES AUTHORIZED MECHANIC CITES "AIR INTAKE AT BLOWER INTAKE AREA WAS INVERTED AT INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY". THE CAR IS IN PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE PERFORMED. THE MERCEDES DEALER CALLS IT "WATER INTRUSION".

NHTSA complaint #10228707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,080 miles Galloway Township, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10145030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,482 miles Galloway Township, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10145034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,693 miles Galloway Township, NJ

STRUCTURE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10145035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Downingtown, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLS DOWN DURING COLD WEATHER, CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO SINK DOWN ON THE WHEELS. A WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON INFORMING THE DRIVER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10109231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waldorf, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A SPRAINED HIP, AND A SWOLLEN KNEE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT SENSOR WASN'T HIT UPON IMPACT AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10087121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles Moscow, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10076163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.