2004 Mercedes Benz S Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › S Class › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2004 Mercedes Benz S Class. Newest first.
Mercedes-benz IS recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. a software calibration number (scn) coding…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that IS required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
Remedy
Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. the recall began on august 30, 2008. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
On certain vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity causing deterioration of the hose.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter. leaking fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possible fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install new corrosion resistant abc high pressure distribution hose. the recall began on july 2, 2007. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster IS experiencing electrical malfunctions. the instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle IS in operation.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Due to inadequate illumination, the driver will be unable to read the gauges and indicators, such as the speedometer, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules. the recall will be conducted in phases. phase I was mailed out to approximately 7,500 owners on september 29, 2006. phase II and phase III IS scheduled for december 2006. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
On certain vehicles, the trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the trunk lid IS manually lifted, it may not remain in the up position and could cause injury if it comes down while someone IS reaching into the trunk.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both trunk lid springs. the recall began august 17, 2004. owners should contact mercedes- benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Owner complaints
15 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
Srs system not operating on passenger side. *tr
- Visibility
Rear view mirror leaking . lava effect, blurred, dimmer failure. *tr
- 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.
- 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.
- 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…
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.
- 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. *Tr
- 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.…
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. *Tr
- Suspension · Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems · 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/…
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. *Tr
- 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". *tr
- 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. *nm
- 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. *nm
- 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. *nm
- 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.*ak
- 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.*ak
- 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…
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
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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, with a rubber stop on the end, located in the shock absorber.this rest-stop condition IS designed such that there IS no impact on vehicle control.mercedes-benz (mbusa) supplied video showing a vehicle in this condition operating under several different situations including evasive maneuvers demonstrating the ability of the vehicle to be controlled effectively with a ride height reduced to the minimum.only those complaints to odi and mbusa that alleged a steering interference during a reduced ride height condition were counted in this resume failure report.some complaints alleged that with a reduced ride height and a stop now warning message there was a rubbing noise when turning, but the ability to steer the vehicle was not compromised.a sampling of warranty claims submitted by mbusa did not reveal any indicating a loss of control due to an airmatic system failure.there was one crash reported by mbusa to odi but the information available indicated that it related to suspension systems and it was not possible to verify that the incident was related to an airmatic system failure. Further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and will take further action in the future if warranted.this preliminary evaluation IS closed.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10136035Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- 10030939Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake IS applied, the parktronic system IS deactivated. If the foot operated parking brake IS on at the first notch, the contact switch may react with a consideration delay when the parking brake IS released. No model years listed.
- 10030929Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection IS damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. Include all models and model years.
- 10025845Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
- 10019822Inspect transmission pilot bushing at electrochydraulic unit and replace if necessary. The transmission pilot bushing may have been installed on the control units with non-tempered sealing rings which may cause a small leak to occur. Updated 04-11-07.
- 10018931Learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement.
- 10018833Inspect catalytic converter, replace if necessary, due to the steel material used to manufacture the catalytic converter housing did not meet din specifications and could lead to a noise complaint.
- 10014593Comand head unit disc drive malfunctions at low temperatures. Various models including mercedes-benz model 215, and 220 2004 and 2005.
- 10014583Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door.
- 10014548Rough downshifting when accelerating. Various models including 2005 mercedes-benz 219 and 220.
- 10014547High-pitched whining noise heard on telephone/vcs/tele aid calls.
- 10012832Sd flash telematics cd stuck in comand head unit when performing a software update.
- 10012831Comand head unit hangs at the star symbol when booting up. Updated
- 10010134Noises from parking brake cable.
- 10010129Diagnostic enhancement. 220/215 comand enhanced diagnostic assistance center edac.
- 10009985The high pressure hydraulic distribution hose of the active body control (abc) may deteriorate over time due to excessive exposure to humidity and high temperatures. Voluntary recall campaign of active body control (abc) (12 cylinder only).
- 10009891The trunk lid springs could fail in the closed trunk lid position due to extensive exposure to very high temperatures. Voluntary recall campaign. Cover letter, recall campaign bulletin and letter to owners. Literature from warranty services group regarding labor time information.
- 10009820Replacement of abc pressure supply valve unit hydraulic line.
- 10007590Tele aid not active displayed in instrument cluster.
Every Mercedes Benz S Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.