AI Damage2004 Mercedes-Benz S 500: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S 500 filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 17% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 17% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (50% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Equipment: 2 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During rain storm, water seepeed ino air cowl into cabin-passenger side- flooded floor eventually sam electronic module under floor was damaged and shut off electronics in automobile while driving at high speed on freeway- with out power controls operating it made driving and stopping the car a very dangerous feat…
The dash board lights lose their ability to illuminate the dashboard and the back airbags on the suspension keep deflating
Systematic water intrusion by air cowl disabled electronics while driving and also long term caused a health issue respiratory neurological - two years homebound after was finally diagnosed w/unknown cancer
License playe light out short causes srs light to come on and have to be reprogrammed. There is now an sis defective light due to the wiring. My truck does not power close. Happens at all times. And while turning it caused an error for turn lights
The contact stated that the vent controls failed to activate the air conditioning and the heating system. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the motor regulator and the air conditioner blower needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
While attempting to change the driver side front tire the lug wrench itself failed. The lug wrench came apart leaving the head still attached to the lug nut without the handle causing forward momentum injury to head and shoulder.
I have a 2004 mercedes-benz and the seat belt look new but will not retract. I am the second owner of the car. I called the company in usa and they will not replace the seat belt assembly free of charge because of the age of the car.
Issues with airmatic system. Will not function properly. Car is sitting too low to the ground to drive safely. Issues with pump.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the S 500 has 11 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 12, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, suspension. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (8%), A/C or heater (8%), headlights and tail lights (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S 500?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S 500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.