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2004 Mercedes-Benz E320Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 203 owner complaints about the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-874 the manufacturer reports only 10% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Mercedes-Benz E320
29
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.5× the E320 median · #3 of 15 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 10%Owner complaints20311 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage95kFuel/propulsion system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 11, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 has problems

203 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel/propulsion system790
Service brakes413
Fuel system, gasoline380
Electrical system131
Service brakes, hydraulic92
Air bags61
Structure61
Exterior lighting51
Suspension40
15 other systems354

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

10%repaired · 2026 Q3

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 24V-874 · Nov 19, 2024 · 33,456 vehicles · 3,406 repaired

Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

24%repaired · 2026 Q1

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 19V-918 · Dec 20, 2019 · 747,928 vehicles · 177,202 repaired

Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Mileage at failure

When do fuel/propulsion system problems start?

95kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 71 fuel/propulsion system complaints. 55% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles39under 100k miles32100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Fuel/propulsion system

8 owners mentioned a cost

$2,350median

Middle half: $925 – $2,500

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other E320 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E320 median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Fuel Leakage From The Fuel TankEA13003 · closed Dec 19, 2014
    No recall
In owners' words

What E320 owners report

Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DRIVER IS EXPERIENCING A HEAVY ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FILL UP. VEHICLE IS NOT OVERFILLED/TOPPED OFF. VEHICLE WAS SITTING INSIDE GARAGE WHEN OWNER NOTICED A HEAVY FUEL ODOR AND NOTIFIED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE. PER RECOMMENDATIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, KEEP VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE UNTIL ISSUE…
Complaint 11397478 · Feb 23, 2021 · 147,000 miles
I FILLED THE GAS TANK FULL AND ON PULLING IN THE GARAGE COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE... WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGE THE NEXT DAY AND THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED HE COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM MY CAR AT VALVOLINE OIL CHANGE.... VERY STRONG SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS WELL AS WHEN WALKING…
Complaint 11388481 · Jan 16, 2021 · 165,000 miles
HEAVY FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY STRUCTURES COULD CATCH FIRE IF FUEL IS LEAKING AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED. ONLY VIABLE REASON WHY FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT IS EITHER THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT A LOCATION OR THE VENT HAS FAILED. VEHICLE FUEL ODOR IS ESPECIALLY…
Complaint 11315421 · Mar 1, 2020 · 160,000 miles

Own a 2004 E320?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.