AI Damage2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- 5.5 L · petrol · turbo · 12 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- automatic, 7-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 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 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
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.
Rear view mirror leaking . Lava effect, blurred, dimmer failure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 9,288 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the S Class has 19 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 15, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, air bags. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (20%), warning lights, check engine (13%), airbags did not deploy (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class?
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 Class 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 2026-11-06.