CarModelProblems.com

2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel/propulsion System — runs 8.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
203Complaints
0Recalls
6Crashes
1Fires
5Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Fuel/propulsion System (38.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Fuel/propulsion System complaints here are 8.6× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Fuel/propulsion System79 · 38.9%No official action
Service Brakes41 · 20.2%No official action
Fuel System, Gasoline34 · 16.7%No official action
Electrical System13 · 6.4%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6 · 3%No official action
Structure:body5 · 2.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES41 · 20.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13 · 6.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6 · 3%
Unspecified / other6 · 3%
STRUCTURE:BODY5 · 2.5%
AIR BAGS5 · 2.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5 · 2.5%
POWER TRAIN3 · 1.5%

Percentages are the share of the 203 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls

No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE FUEL LEAK, FUEL SENDER LEAKS, I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO REPLACE ALL THOSE PARTS. IT SHOULD HAVE DEALER RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THOSE ISSUES.”NHTSA complaint 10704807 — filed 04/09/2015 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE…”NHTSA complaint 10703313 — filed 04/02/2015 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“CUSTOMER COMPLAINS OF FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE ON APPROACH. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE SMELL IS UNBEARABLE AND CAUSES NAUSEA WHEN DRIVING. INSPECTED THE…”NHTSA complaint 10695084 — filed 03/18/2015 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

102011205620133524201515122017652019562021772023632025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320?

Fuel/propulsion system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 79 of 203 NHTSA complaints (38.9%), followed by service brakes (41), fuel system, gasoline (34), electrical system (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 have?

203 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 have any recalls?

No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.