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2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

NHTSA component category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026

56Fuel/propulsion System complaints
39.4%Of all 142 complaints
#1Most-reported category

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

How fuel/propulsion system ranks on this vehicle

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM56 · 39.4%
SUSPENSION20 · 14.1%
SERVICE BRAKES19 · 13.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7 · 4.9%

Share of the 142 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 overview page.

What owners report

“THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK THE SMELL IS SO STRONG IT…”NHTSA complaint 10855195 — filed 04/13/2016
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND A STRONG ODOR OF…”NHTSA complaint 10809765 — filed 12/11/2015
“WHEN FILLING THE CAR WITH GASOLINE TO A FULL TANK, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL THAT IS VERY STRONG THE NEXT DAY. I…”NHTSA complaint 10808811 — filed 12/07/2015

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints by year filed

152012172013920146201522016120171201812019120211202222026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 have fuel/propulsion system problems?

Fuel/propulsion System is the most-reported problem area on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500: 56 of 142 complaints on file (39.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 have in total?

142 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 3 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 3 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's fuel/propulsion system category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.