3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,694 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Jun 012019

E500

  • 56,000 miles
The problem with my vehicle is that with its current tcm( transmission control module) in a 722.9 transmission, the conductor plate that holds the sensors in place become defective and creates a problem in which the transmission gets stuck in 2nd gear. This causes a major problem driving on road ways that are +45mph because the vehicle cannot drive over 25mph further causing more problems that may actually freeze up the engine causing the car to stop. If the car is stopped and begins to go again, the rmp's can go very high without any power or motion in the vehicle. This has happened to 2 of my personal friends already with the 722.9 transmission. In particular the conductor plate or valve body was corrupted and caused the vehicle to fail. I am reporting this because the part can fail anytime during operation of the vehicle and is a safety issue to the driver and others around when this may occur. Many other owners (I've read online) with this 722.9 transmission conductor plate fault is also frustrated by the fact that not only Mercedes-Benz doesn't allow for a consumer to buy the part but many warranties are voided with this fault. My vehicle (Mercedes-Benz E500 2004) also is only at 56,000 miles on the speedometer. Considering the mileage, this is a problem that seems to be premature due to the fact that the vehicle has been serviced by a Mercedes-Benz dealer but has no service for the very commonly faulted part.

- Milpitas, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 202015

E500

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E500. The contact stated that while driving at approximate 60 mph, the vehicle stalled but continued to roll without stopping, the brake pedal failed, and the gear shifter failed to come out of park. In addition, all the instrument panel warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 262009

E500 8-cyl

  • 36,003 miles
Benz E500 2004 (54K miles) safety issue1: Nov 2008(36K miles), the car used to lose power and shut down while driving with all the lights blinking on the dash board. But I was able to break ansdstop. Sometimes it started back on and sometimes it did not.dealer replaced the crankshaft sensor and the sender unit. Had to pay the bill of $600 plus towing. They did not inspect other safety issues like the sbc pump or let me know about the 10 year warranty. Neither did they tell me if sbc pump failure or its malfunction has any impact on other parts of the car. Safety issue 2: Jan 6th 2015.(refer to complaint #10676289)sbc pump failed during a long road trip and thinking it was just brake pads, could have been fatal. Dealer/mb refused any assistance in repairs. Cost us $2200. When the dealer refused to look at the sbc pump before the warranty expired and they know it is going to fail, customer is in a very uncomfortable position with safety aspect, huge repair costs involved and possible impact on other parts and situations. They designed a warranty on this programmable unit that is programmed to lend certain cycles or service. Mercedes Benz has turned this major defect into a money making opportunity lately. They are installing reman units with a high repair cost of $2000-3000. Sometimes, more than the worth of the car. Regulators should revisit the case and have them provide life time warranty on this major flaw and maybe more. When there were two recalls just a year after it was bought, how can they get away with a 10 year warranty and a huge repair cost. Since they have more lawyers than any common man, only regulators can help the citizens and protect their interests and safety.

- Doral , FL, USA

problem #2

Jun 062011

E500 8-cyl

  • 45,965 miles
My Mercedes E500 2004 randomly loses power after coming to a stop. I have to pull over to the side and stop. I turn the engine off and back on and it the power is ok. The check engine light goes out after restarting. This would happen one or twice a month. I only have 45K on the car. Now it's happening quite often. The check engine light would come on and than go out after restarting. I have taken it to the dealer several times and they have found no trouble. They give me the gas cap, bad gas, ect. Today I lost power took in to the dealer and now they are stating a power train problem. I get nervous on the road way when I lose power because I can not speed up and get away from on coming traffic. The dealer is stating 2 to 5 thousand dollars for the repair. This car has less than 45K and I keep it in mint condition and only drive it on week ends. I see that several E500 2004 owners have had the same problem via an on line forum for 2004 E500.

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 012005

E500

  • 14,500 miles
Transmission problems, vehicle would not shift out of park position to reverse or drive. The plastic piece attached to the fender was loose and the tire was rubbing the plastic. There was an oil leak which had come from the pan in the engine. When the consumer went to change the tire, he discovered there was no spare tire in the vehicle.

- Riverside, CA, USA