U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Mercedes Benz E500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

142 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

90,800 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 126 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 56 of 142 complaints (39.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	49	34.5%
Braking behavior	28	19.7%
Electrical and battery issues	10	7.0%
Transmission and shifting	5	3.5%
Steering behavior	4	2.8%
Engine operation	3	2.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel/Propulsion System

Fuel System, Gasoline

Suspension

Service Brakes

Electrical System

Engine

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Power Train

Fuel/Propulsion System: 56; Fuel System, Gasoline: 26; Suspension: 20; Service Brakes: 19; Electrical System: 7; Engine: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Power Train: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 43; 150,000 and above: 11

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2005

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2024

2026

2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 21; 2013: 27; 2014: 27; 2015: 19; 2016: 7; 2017: 5; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2024: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 49 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10262767 · 2009-03-23 (March 23, 2009)

WE HAD NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN OUR GARAGE EACH MORNING JUST AFTER WE HAD FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS. WE TOOK THE MB TO MYERSTAR MERCEDES, THEY FOUND CRACK IN THE UPPER MIDDLE FRONT OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THIS DEFECT SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED IN A VEHICLE THAT'S ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD WITH 45,000 MILES. THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN OUR GARAGE. *TR COPY OF MOVIE.WMV UPDATED 05/02/11 *BF UPDATED 12/29/11 *CN

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262767 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10364069 · 2010-11-04 (November 4, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT "BRAKE FAILURE AND ESP FAILURE" WERE DISPLAYED AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY DOWNSHIFTING AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CO…

Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10105378 · 2004-12-28 (December 28, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING 35 MILES PER HOUR DOWN HILL, THE OWNER HEARD A WARNING LIGHT STATING THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED. THE OWNER HAD TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE OWNER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105378 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10117540 · 2005-04-04 (April 4, 2005)

2004 500E ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS THAT WHEN ALL BRAKES ARE LOCKED, IT WILL THEN PULSATE THE BRAKES SO THAT THE DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE TO. THE CONSUMER STATED ON HIS VEHICLE THE BRAKES SYSTEM COULD LOCK WITHOUT PULSING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES DID NOT LOCK AND THE BAS DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117540 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10091345 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)

ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE FROM AIRCRAFT CAUSED LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN PARKED AT AIRPORT AND DRAINED BATTERY. CAR PARKED MORNING OF 9/4/04. SINGLE INCIDENT OF CAR ALARM REPORTED EVENING OF 9/6/04. RETURNED TO CAR 9/11/04 AND FOUND LIGHTS IN OFF POSITION AND BATTERY DRAINED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 11,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091345 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10232543 · 2008-06-27 (June 27, 2008)

I OWN A MERCEDES-BENZ E500 BOUGHT NEW IN 2004. 3 DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR AND CAR STALLED AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. I COULD NOT START THE ENGINE BACK FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME, WHICH WOULD HAVE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. I LATER TOWED THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES SERVICE STATION. THEY REPORTED IT AS AN ELECTIRCAL FAILURE DUE TO FAILING OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FAULTY SENSOR AND THE CAR IS RUNNING OK NOW.…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232543 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10059243 · 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DRIVER PUT VEHICLE INTO DRIVER AND IT WOULD ONLY GO BACKWARDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THE NEED FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059243 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10063036 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 300 MILES. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN CONSUMER WAS CROSSING LANES TO AN ON COMING TRAFFIC. AS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM FIRST GEAR TO NEUTRAL ON ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063036 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10679582 · 2015-01-28 (January 28, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE NO BREAKAGE POWER AND THE SHUT DOWN ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,600.

Owner-reported narrative. 91,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10679582 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10758694 · 2015-08-23 (August 23, 2015)

WE HAD JUST STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPACE AT A GRCCERY. AS WE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WERE WALKNG AWAY FROM IT WE HEARD A LOUD POP AS IF A TIRE HAD A BLOWN. WE LOOKED AROUND BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY LOW TIRE FROM LOSS OF AIR. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING MY WIFE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOWER THAN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL "STOP, CAR TOO LOW!" I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEE IF THE WHEEL/TIRE WOULD RUB AGAINST THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 112,699 miles reported. Look up ODI 10758694 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10559593 · 2014-01-13 (January 13, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT T HE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER REFUELING ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559593 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

142 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

88.7%Usable mileage126 / 142 records

99.3%Valid incident date141 / 142 records

100.0%Valid filing date142 / 142 records

99.3%Ordered incident and filing dates141 / 142 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Fuel/Propulsion System	2721.6% ODI 10459332 AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK GAS STARTED TO DRIP FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FLOOR. *TT Look up ODI 10459332 at NHTSA ↗	5639.4% ODI 10468809 · 53,000 mi AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT. YOU SMELL THE ODOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE GAS GOES BELOW ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK THE SMELL IS NO LONGER PRESENT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR Look up ODI 10468809 at NHTSA ↗	5539.3% ODI 10458733 · 70,000 mi I STARTED SMELLING A STONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK ON THIS CAR. AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 50 MILES, THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. TODAY, MAY 16, 2012, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DENVER MECEDES DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, NEXT TO THE TOP LEFT FUEL PUMP. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO YOUR INVESTIGATION ON PE 12-001. THE DEALER ASKED FOR $2000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PENDING THIS INVESTIGATION AND MERCEDES RESPONSE. Look up ODI 10458733 at NHTSA ↗	1632.0% ODI 10469587 FUEL TANK CRACKED. UNEXPLAINED, AND CONFIRMED BY DEALER. FUMES LEAK FROM EXTERIOR (CAN DETECTED WHEN TANK IS NEAR CAPACITY). CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. MB SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TANK. PE12001 (RELATED CASE IT WOULD SEEM) -- E CLASS. *TR Look up ODI 10469587 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11485122 I HAVE A SMELL OF FUEL ON THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM EITHER THE FUEL FILTER MODULE OR IT IS A TANK LEAK. I TOOK OFF THE REAR CUSHION AND WE CAN SEE AND SMELL FUEL VISIBLY ON THE LEFT SIDE UNDER THE SEAT QUESHON AND OVER THE FUEL FILTER MODULE. SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE 2003-2006 E CLASS AND THE 2006 CLS CLASS VEHICLE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. I THINK IT WILL BE A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE INVESTIG… Look up ODI 11485122 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10644832 · 84,300 mi WHEN FILLING GAS TANK TO FULL, CAR SMELLS OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10644832 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10637130 · 126,000 mi MY E500 STARTED TO SMELL HORRIBLE AFTER ADDING FUEL, NOW MY VEHICLE SMELLS ALL THE TIME OF GAS THE FUMES ARE HORRIBLE. I AM CALLING MERCEDES IN THE MORNING, I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS, DEFINITELY CAN'T BE SAFE. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP THE FUMES ARE SO BAD. *TR Look up ODI 10637130 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	2923.2% ODI 10500903 · 131,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE AND SEIZED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ABS ANTILOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. Look up ODI 10500903 at NHTSA ↗	1913.4% ODI 10615041 · 140,510 mi WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DASH WARNING SYSTEM TURNED BRIGHT RED WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY FAILED, SHE HAD NO BRAKES. SHE LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO HELP SLOW THE VEHICLE AS SHE SLOWED DOWN SHE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE SLOWLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND SHIFTED IT INTO PARK. SHE THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND CYCLED THE IGNITION KEY. THERE WAS NO LON… Look up ODI 10615041 at NHTSA ↗	3424.3% ODI 10554401 · 89,000 mi DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES GOING DOWNHILL IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. RED BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER VEERED OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN, RED LIGHT IN DASH WAS GONE, NO WARNINGS EXISTED, AND BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 115,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY). SLOWLY DROVE VEHICLE TO… Look up ODI 10554401 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10819468 · 127,209 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OFF THE FRWY AND WAS TURNING ON THE RAMP WHEN MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING Look up ODI 10819468 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	1411.2% ODI 10433623 · 40,000 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND UNTIL I DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY A GERMAN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT IT IS A CRACKED GAS TANK AND THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES E-CLASS MODELS FROM 2003-2005. THE SMELL APPEARS TO BE EMANATING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN EUROPE AND ASIA BUT THAT MERCEDES NEVER ISSUED A RECALL IN THE US FOR THIS ISSUE DESPITE BEING EXTREMELY PERVASIVE. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNE… Look up ODI 10433623 at NHTSA ↗	2618.3% ODI 10102689 · 1,500 mi TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR : THE FUEL CANISTER TOUCHES THE CHASIS AND MAKE LOUD TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR, REPORTED THIS TO MBUSA AND REPERESETATIVE PUT INSULATION AROUND FUEL CANISTER AND WHICH IS NOT SAFE. *JB Look up ODI 10102689 at NHTSA ↗	2014.3% ODI 10281194 · 61,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 E500 MERCEDES BENZ. A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND IN HIS GARAGE. FUEL ALSO LEAKS OUT OF THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. Look up ODI 10281194 at NHTSA ↗	1224.0% ODI 10366573 · 39,700 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS AFTER GAS FILL UP. CAR INTO MERCEDES BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FL. OCT. 10, 2010. REPLACED L/SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE REMAINED SO STRONG COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS OR PARK IN GARAGE. CAR BACK TO MERCEDES NOV. 5, 2010. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY GAS TANK VENT. REPLACED GAS TANK GOT CAR BACK NOV. 13, 2010. REPAIRS WELL OVER $2000. EVEN THOUGH CAR EMITTED GAS SMELL DETECTABLE FROM 50 FEET, AND CLEARLY UNHEALTHY TO DRIVE, NOT CONSIDERED EMISSION ISSUE. M… Look up ODI 10366573 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	1310.4% ODI 10381948 · 66,002 mi BOTH FRONT AND REAR AIR SHOCKS WENT WITHIN 2000 MILES OF EACH OTHER 64000 AND 66000 MILES. THESE SHOCKS ARE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THEY WERE NOT ENGINEERED PROPERLY OR THEY SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. MERCEDES WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT.. Look up ODI 10381948 at NHTSA ↗	2014.1% ODI 10330982 · 108,000 mi THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES - FIRST IN MARCH 2010, THEN APRIL 2010, AND NOW MAY 2010. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FIRST 2 INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DROPPED AND THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. IT IS NOW DROPPING ON THE RIGHT AGAIN, AND PULLS STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEALER. EVEN THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYSTEM FAILS, AND FAILS IN A MANNER IN WHICH THE WHOLE … Look up ODI 10330982 at NHTSA ↗	96.4% ODI 10472664 · 21,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,600. Look up ODI 10472664 at NHTSA ↗	36.0% ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	21.6% ODI 11004205 · 152,801 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH HOUSTON LOCATED IN HOUSTON, TEXAS) WHO INDICATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC SBC BRAKE PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SBC BRAKE PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2011. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED, INCLUDING THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WAR… Look up ODI 11004205 at NHTSA ↗	74.9% ODI 10091345 · 11,400 mi ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE FROM AIRCRAFT CAUSED LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN PARKED AT AIRPORT AND DRAINED BATTERY. CAR PARKED MORNING OF 9/4/04. SINGLE INCIDENT OF CAR ALARM REPORTED EVENING OF 9/6/04. RETURNED TO CAR 9/11/04 AND FOUND LIGHTS IN OFF POSITION AND BATTERY DRAINED. *AK Look up ODI 10091345 at NHTSA ↗	64.3% ODI 10331313 · 77,100 mi DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN AN ALERT THAT THE SRS SYSTEM HAD DETECTED A FAILURE AND LIT UP ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER. HAD A AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES SHOP READ CODES WHICH WERE: FAILURE OF SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON A 2005 MERCEDES E500 WAGON. THE "SRS" LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MERCEDES DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT SENDS AND RECEIVES DATA TO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG 1 CAUSED A FAILURE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SQUIB FOR THE AFFECTED AIRBAG. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN THE E… Look up ODI 10331313 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10896312 · 105,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE CLUSTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE CLUSTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 10896312 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	10.8% ODI 10808274 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBINE SENSOR, THE WHEEL, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND THE COIL PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH… Look up ODI 10808274 at NHTSA ↗	74.9% ODI 10504055 · 105,000 mi AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR Look up ODI 10504055 at NHTSA ↗	85.7% ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	75.6% ODI 10121208 DT: THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT ON OCT. 21 2004 HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 2004050014-SBS. THE RECALL WAS REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE LINE FROM THE BRAKE FLUID LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN CUT AND IT LOOKED LIKE ELECTRICAL TAPE HAD BEEN PLACED AROUND IT WERE THE CUT WAS LOCATED. HE TALKED TO MERCEDES AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK WITH HIM YET. HE HAS ALSO REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT UNIT WHICH CONTROLS ALL THE LIGHTS. *JB Look up ODI 10121208 at NHTSA ↗	53.5% ODI 10117540 2004 500E ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *NO ANSWER REQUIRED. MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS THAT WHEN ALL BRAKES ARE LOCKED, IT WILL THEN PULSATE THE BRAKES SO THAT THE DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE TO. THE CONSUMER STATED ON HIS VEHICLE THE BRAKES SYSTEM COULD LOCK WITHOUT PULSING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES DID NOT LOCK AND THE BAS DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. *JB Look up ODI 10117540 at NHTSA ↗	42.9% ODI 10395727 · 68,056 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN; THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC UNIT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V133000, SERVICE BRAKES H… Look up ODI 10395727 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10151553 · 100 mi DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS, AND STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THERE WAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARDER AND THERE WAS SLIGHT POWER AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE TURNED OFF AND ON TO RESTORE BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE STOPPING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WA… Look up ODI 10151553 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	64.8% ODI 10137154 I HAD AN ACCIDENT TODAY THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER WHERE ANOTHER CAR CRASHED INTO ME CAUSED CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. THE OTHER CAR WAS GOING AT LEAST 40-50 MPH. THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT AS DAMAGED AS MINE AND NO INJURIES RESULTED YET. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. *NM Look up ODI 10137154 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	53.6% ODI 10777865 · 100,102 mi I AM REFERENCING A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN P-B-91.60/99E. THE CONTROL CLUSTER SHOWS SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MERCEDES DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE CARE ANALYZED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: DTC 9103 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/13 IS TOO HIGH) AND DTC 9123 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/14 IS TOO HIGH). BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAULTY SCM HARNESS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DANGEROUS AN… Look up ODI 10777865 at NHTSA ↗	48.0% ODI 10836703 · 143,619 mi THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL AS A REGISTERED OWNER AND THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. Look up ODI 10836703 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel/Propulsion System	73,836–132,000 mi	93,000 mi	49	ODI 10468809 · 53,000 mi AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT. YOU SMELL THE ODOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE GAS GOES BELOW ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK THE SMELL IS NO LONGER PRESENT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. TR Look up ODI 10468809 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10469035 · 99,000 mi STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR AFTER REFUELING. TR Look up ODI 10469035 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10470698 · 104,700 mi NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE AND INSIDE MY VEHICLE. ALSO NOTICED THAT MY LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT WAS DISCOLORED WITH DARK YELLOW STAINING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON CAR AND TOOK TO LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER TO CHECK PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD FAILED AND THAT RAW FUEL WAS LEAKING IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE GASOLINE ODOR AND STAINING TO UPHOLSTERY. WAS STRONGLY URGED BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT MERCEDES-BENZ TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT "ANYTIME YOU'RE LEAKING FUEL THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE". HAD… Look up ODI 10470698 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	67,250–110,000 mi	85,083 mi	24	ODI 10102689 · 1,500 mi TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR : THE FUEL CANISTER TOUCHES THE CHASIS AND MAKE LOUD TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR, REPORTED THIS TO MBUSA AND REPERESETATIVE PUT INSULATION AROUND FUEL CANISTER AND WHICH IS NOT SAFE. JB Look up ODI 10102689 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10228665 · 49,500 mi 6 DISC CHANGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. RIGHT AFTER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WAS OVER, DEALER SAID THEY HAD REPLACED MANY OF THEM THAT WEEK, BUT REFUSED TO FIX IT AND IT WAS ONLY 1,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY. BEFORE WARRANTY WAS UP, THE DEALER SAID THE FIXED GAS HOSE RECALL BUT STILL SMELL GAS AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT IT ANYMORE. TR Look up ODI 10228665 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451510 · 105,500 mi GAS ODOR BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN TANK IS FILLED TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY. ODOR LINGERS UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF EMPTY. INSPECTED FUEL PUMP/FILTER LOCATED UNDER REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND DISCOVERED GAS LEAKAGE/PUDDLE. GAS LEAK IS WITHIN A COUPLE OF CENTIMETERS FROM TWO ELECTRICAL CABLE CONNECTIONS ATTACHED TO FUEL PUMP/FILTER - AN IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. PREVAILING FUMES ARE HAZARDOUS TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY SMALL CHILDREN, AND MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR Look up ODI 10451510 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	85,000–112,699 mi	100,000 mi	17	ODI 10330982 · 108,000 mi THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES - FIRST IN MARCH 2010, THEN APRIL 2010, AND NOW MAY 2010. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FIRST 2 INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DROPPED AND THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. IT IS NOW DROPPING ON THE RIGHT AGAIN, AND PULLS STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEALER. EVEN THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYSTEM FAILS, AND FAILS IN A MANNER IN WHICH THE WHOLE … Look up ODI 10330982 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT "BRAKE FAILURE AND ESP FAILURE" WERE DISPLAYED AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY DOWNSHIFTING AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CO… Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10459018 · 98,500 mi WHILE DRIVING MY E CLASS HOME FROM WORK MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND DISPLAYED "VEHICLE LOW DON'T DRIVE". I WAS AT THE ENTRANCE WAY TO MY HOME AND PROCEEDED TO MY GARAGE. UPON GETTING OUT OF MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER WAS LOWERED DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE TIRE. I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIR MATIC STRUT ASSEMBLY; WHICH IS A COSTLY REPAIR. MY RIGHT SIDE WENT OUT AT 88,000 MILES. MERCEDES SHOULD ON UP TO THE FLAWS IN THIS SYSTEM AND FIND A CHEAPER FIX FOR THE VEHICLE OWNERS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER … Look up ODI 10459018 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	86,000–129,390 mi	99,000 mi	17	ODI 10615041 · 140,510 mi WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DASH WARNING SYSTEM TURNED BRIGHT RED WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY FAILED, SHE HAD NO BRAKES. SHE LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO HELP SLOW THE VEHICLE AS SHE SLOWED DOWN SHE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE SLOWLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND SHIFTED IT INTO PARK. SHE THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND CYCLED THE IGNITION KEY. THERE WAS NO LON… Look up ODI 10615041 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10639110 · 90,000 mi CAR MAKES AN UNUSUAL, LOUD, HUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, UPON STARTING AND CONSTANTLY, NO MATTER THE SPEED. ON OCCASION, THERE IS NO NOISE, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE HUMMING IS PRESENT. THE NOISE EMANATES FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, AND CAN BE HEARD ON THE INTERIOR AND FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP 3X FOR THE ISSUE, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 10K MILES. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS SMELL ISSUE SINCE 35K MILES,… Look up ODI 10639110 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10640212 · 127,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE IN SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. Look up ODI 10640212 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	38,002–85,500 mi	61,000 mi	7	ODI 10091345 · 11,400 mi ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE FROM AIRCRAFT CAUSED LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN PARKED AT AIRPORT AND DRAINED BATTERY. CAR PARKED MORNING OF 9/4/04. SINGLE INCIDENT OF CAR ALARM REPORTED EVENING OF 9/6/04. RETURNED TO CAR 9/11/04 AND FOUND LIGHTS IN OFF POSITION AND BATTERY DRAINED. *AK Look up ODI 10091345 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10232543 · 40,000 mi I OWN A MERCEDES-BENZ E500 BOUGHT NEW IN 2004. 3 DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR AND CAR STALLED AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. I COULD NOT START THE ENGINE BACK FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME, WHICH WOULD HAVE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. I LATER TOWED THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES SERVICE STATION. THEY REPORTED IT AS AN ELECTIRCAL FAILURE DUE TO FAILING OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FAULTY SENSOR AND THE CAR IS RUNNING OK NOW.… Look up ODI 10232543 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10249917 · 61,000 mi MY CAR BATTERY KEPT DYEING AND ALL OF THE SPEAKERS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT WORKING. IN FACT WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF THOSE SPEAKERS WOULD MAKE STATIC NOISES. I HAD AN ELECTRONIC AUTO STORE LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN THEY POSED THE QUESTION TO THEIR ONLINE SITE, THE ANSWER CAME BACK AS THE "AUDIO GATEWAY" BEING DEFECTIVE. THEY WERE OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALER, TOLD THEM OF THE BATTERY DYEING PROBLEM AND THEIR… Look up ODI 10249917 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	98,300–133,000 mi	109,000 mi	7	ODI 10504055 · 105,000 mi AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR Look up ODI 10504055 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10604788 · 139,000 mi I FILLED UP MY CAR & NOTICED A GAS SMELL I WAS ON MY WAY TO ATLANTA FOR WORK I HAD TO INHALE STRONG GAS FUMES FOR MOST OF MY TRAVEL. WHEN I GOT THERE I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP & THEY DISCOVERED MY GAS TANK HAD A LEAK AND GAS WAS LEAKING NEAR BACK SEAT THEY GAVE A ME AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 2500 TO FIX I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MERCEDES BUT NO RECALL YET WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY THE INHALATION OF THE FUMES & GAS LEAKING IN A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING & PARTS THAT GET EXTREMELY HOT. I DON'T UNDE… Look up ODI 10604788 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	98,500 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10331029 · 51,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A TOW TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 12/10/10 BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE … Look up ODI 10331029 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT "BRAKE FAILURE AND ESP FAILURE" WERE DISPLAYED AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY DOWNSHIFTING AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CO… Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10809991 · 130,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED … Look up ODI 10809991 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	50,983 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10405366 · 45,965 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10405366 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	24V874000	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	1	None	ODI 11712043 I am submitting this complaint regarding a suspected safety-related defect involving the fuel system of my Mercedes-Benz vehicle. I have experienced a persistent gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. The presence of fuel odor is not a normal operating condition and reasonably indicates a potential failure involving the fuel tank, fuel lines, or related fuel system components. Fuel vapors present a known fire and explosion hazard and constitute a safety risk to vehicle occupants, surrounding vehicles, and property. This condition was not… Look up ODI 11712043 at NHTSA ↗
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	1	None	ODI 11740023 Approximately in March 2026, I started noticing a very strong gasoline odor coming from my 2004 Mercedes-Benz E 500 4-matic with original miles approximately 56,300. The fuel odor always got stronger whenever I would fill up the gas tank. The history on my car is such that it has always been garage kept. The gasoline odor coming from my car started getting stronger and stronger while in my garage. On Memorial Day 2026 I called HQ, Mercedes Benz and told them about the gas odor coming from my car. After the call ended I decided that the car need… Look up ODI 11740023 at NHTSA ↗
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2008	0	0	0
2009	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2008	1	0	0
2009	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Fuel/Propulsion System	Fuel System, Gasoline	Suspension	Service Brakes	Electrical System	Engine	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Power Train
Fuel/Propulsion System	—	1 ODI 10512625 · 68,000 mi REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. THERE IS A DISTINCT FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. DO NOT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE BUT DO SMELL AFTER THE CAR IS PUT AWAY INSIDE GARAGE. NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE UNDER THE CAR (PUDDLING OR DRIPS). GOES AWAY AFTER FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN FULL. THERE IS NO SMELL IF YOU ONLY FILL TO 3/4. *TR Look up ODI 10512625 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 10639110 · 90,000 mi CAR MAKES AN UNUSUAL, LOUD, HUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, UPON STARTING AND CONSTANTLY, NO MATTER THE SPEED. ON OCCASION, THERE IS NO NOISE, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE HUMMING IS PRESENT. THE NOISE EMANATES FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, AND CAN BE HEARD ON THE INTERIOR AND FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP 3X FOR THE ISSUE, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 10K MILES. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS SMELL ISSUE SINCE 35K MILES,… Look up ODI 10639110 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10682523 · 54,000 mi BENZ E500/55K MILES. I HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CAR. ONE BEING FUEL TANK RELATED AND THE SECOND SBC PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ON THE FIRST, TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, SO MANY YEARS AFTER THE INCIDENT AND PURCHASE OF THE CAR, MERCEDES BENZ HAS SENT A LETTER COVERING THE REPAIR AND PARTS FOR 15 YEARS. I THINK THAT IN ITSELF IS AN OFFENSE AND A CRIME. ON THE SECOND ISSUE, SBC PUMP MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO GIVE ME IN DETAIL THE EFFECT OF FAILING SBC PUMP ON OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR OR THE EFFECT OF FAILED SBC PUMP. MORE IMPORTANTLY, SERV… Look up ODI 10682523 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11447158 the car has smelled like gas from the minute i received it. the previous owner told me that mercedes had quoted 5 grand to fix it so i would only put half a tank in at a time. turns out there was a warranty on it but has since expired. why wasn't it fixed for free when the previous owner brought it? this is very dangerous and can cause an explosion. the warranty should have been fixed rather than quoted and seems very greedy to not disclose that information but instead giving a quote. i have lung and heart problems and this is a definite safety… Look up ODI 11447158 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10504055 · 105,000 mi AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. TR Look up ODI 10504055 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10809765 · 127,000 mi TL 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 FUEL WAS NOTICED. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING AFTER THE COOLANT WAS REFILLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. Look up ODI 10809765 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	1 ODI 10512625 · 68,000 mi REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. THERE IS A DISTINCT FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. DO NOT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE BUT DO SMELL AFTER THE CAR IS PUT AWAY INSIDE GARAGE. NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE UNDER THE CAR (PUDDLING OR DRIPS). GOES AWAY AFTER FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN FULL. THERE IS NO SMELL IF YOU ONLY FILL TO 3/4. *TR Look up ODI 10512625 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	2 ODI 10604788 · 139,000 mi I FILLED UP MY CAR & NOTICED A GAS SMELL I WAS ON MY WAY TO ATLANTA FOR WORK I HAD TO INHALE STRONG GAS FUMES FOR MOST OF MY TRAVEL. WHEN I GOT THERE I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP & THEY DISCOVERED MY GAS TANK HAD A LEAK AND GAS WAS LEAKING NEAR BACK SEAT THEY GAVE A ME AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 2500 TO FIX I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MERCEDES BUT NO RECALL YET WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY THE INHALATION OF THE FUMES & GAS LEAKING IN A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING & PARTS THAT GET EXTREMELY HOT. I DON'T UNDE… Look up ODI 10604788 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11297903 · 180,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR DETECTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS RED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE 321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526, [phone removed] TO BE DIAGNOSED. A FUEL LEAK WAS CONFIRMED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED… Look up ODI 11297903 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10809991 · 130,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED … Look up ODI 10809991 at NHTSA ↗	0
Suspension	0	0	—	2 ODI 10639700 ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE TO WORK THE RED SIGN CAME ON ( BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLES ) I STOPPED THE CAR AND AFTER 5 MINUTE STARTED IT AND IT WAS OK HALF WAY TO WORK RED SIGN CAME ON (BAKES LONGER STOPPING DIST START ENGINE ) AND ITS WAS DOING THAT ALL DAY THE NEXT DAY THE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR RED SIGN CAME ON (BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLE ) AND NEXT SIGN WAS (ESP MALFUNCTION VISIT WORK SHOP )CALLED MERCEDES DEALER AND TOWED THE CAR I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS( BRAKE PRESSURE PUMP MODULATOR AND AUX BATTERY ) I LOOKED UP ONL… Look up ODI 10639700 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10965857 · 99,000 mi SBC UNIT HAS A LIMIT THAT IS SHOWING A FAULT YET BRAKES SEEM FINE NOW MUST FIX AND ALL THAT IS AVAILABLE ARE REMANUFACTURED UNITS. Look up ODI 10965857 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10534472 · 85,000 mi WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-5, AT APPROX. 65 MPH, DISPLAY SHOWED RED LETTERING "VEHICLE TOO LOW STOP CAR". MADE MY WAY OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD WHEN MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. PROCEEDED WITH TRIP. AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES, MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN CAR HANDLING OR PERFORMANCE FELT. MESSAGE AGAIN, DISAPPEARED. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL ARRIVAL AT HOME. THOUGHT FAULTY RELAY OR SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ONCE HOME, I GOT OUT OF CAR AND HEARD A SOUND AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM A BALLOON. NOTICED LEFT FRONT HAD DROPPED ALMOST ON TIRE. CAR … Look up ODI 10534472 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT "BRAKE FAILURE AND ESP FAILURE" WERE DISPLAYED AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY DOWNSHIFTING AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CO… Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes	3 ODI 10639110 · 90,000 mi CAR MAKES AN UNUSUAL, LOUD, HUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, UPON STARTING AND CONSTANTLY, NO MATTER THE SPEED. ON OCCASION, THERE IS NO NOISE, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE HUMMING IS PRESENT. THE NOISE EMANATES FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, AND CAN BE HEARD ON THE INTERIOR AND FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP 3X FOR THE ISSUE, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 10K MILES. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS SMELL ISSUE SINCE 35K MILES,… Look up ODI 10639110 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10682523 · 54,000 mi BENZ E500/55K MILES. I HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CAR. ONE BEING FUEL TANK RELATED AND THE SECOND SBC PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ON THE FIRST, TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, SO MANY YEARS AFTER THE INCIDENT AND PURCHASE OF THE CAR, MERCEDES BENZ HAS SENT A LETTER COVERING THE REPAIR AND PARTS FOR 15 YEARS. I THINK THAT IN ITSELF IS AN OFFENSE AND A CRIME. ON THE SECOND ISSUE, SBC PUMP MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO GIVE ME IN DETAIL THE EFFECT OF FAILING SBC PUMP ON OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR OR THE EFFECT OF FAILED SBC PUMP. MORE IMPORTANTLY, SERV… Look up ODI 10682523 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11447158 the car has smelled like gas from the minute i received it. the previous owner told me that mercedes had quoted 5 grand to fix it so i would only put half a tank in at a time. turns out there was a warranty on it but has since expired. why wasn't it fixed for free when the previous owner brought it? this is very dangerous and can cause an explosion. the warranty should have been fixed rather than quoted and seems very greedy to not disclose that information but instead giving a quote. i have lung and heart problems and this is a definite safety… Look up ODI 11447158 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10639700 ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE TO WORK THE RED SIGN CAME ON ( BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLES ) I STOPPED THE CAR AND AFTER 5 MINUTE STARTED IT AND IT WAS OK HALF WAY TO WORK RED SIGN CAME ON (BAKES LONGER STOPPING DIST START ENGINE ) AND ITS WAS DOING THAT ALL DAY THE NEXT DAY THE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR RED SIGN CAME ON (BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLE ) AND NEXT SIGN WAS (ESP MALFUNCTION VISIT WORK SHOP )CALLED MERCEDES DEALER AND TOWED THE CAR I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS( BRAKE PRESSURE PUMP MODULATOR AND AUX BATTERY ) I LOOKED UP ONL… Look up ODI 10639700 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10965857 · 99,000 mi SBC UNIT HAS A LIMIT THAT IS SHOWING A FAULT YET BRAKES SEEM FINE NOW MUST FIX AND ALL THAT IS AVAILABLE ARE REMANUFACTURED UNITS. Look up ODI 10965857 at NHTSA ↗	—	2 ODI 10730195 · 125,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. Look up ODI 10730195 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	0	0	1 ODI 10534472 · 85,000 mi WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-5, AT APPROX. 65 MPH, DISPLAY SHOWED RED LETTERING "VEHICLE TOO LOW STOP CAR". MADE MY WAY OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD WHEN MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. PROCEEDED WITH TRIP. AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES, MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN CAR HANDLING OR PERFORMANCE FELT. MESSAGE AGAIN, DISAPPEARED. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL ARRIVAL AT HOME. THOUGHT FAULTY RELAY OR SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ONCE HOME, I GOT OUT OF CAR AND HEARD A SOUND AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM A BALLOON. NOTICED LEFT FRONT HAD DROPPED ALMOST ON TIRE. CAR … Look up ODI 10534472 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10730195 · 125,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. Look up ODI 10730195 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	2 ODI 10504055 · 105,000 mi AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. TR Look up ODI 10504055 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10809765 · 127,000 mi TL 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 FUEL WAS NOTICED. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING AFTER THE COOLANT WAS REFILLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. Look up ODI 10809765 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10604788 · 139,000 mi I FILLED UP MY CAR & NOTICED A GAS SMELL I WAS ON MY WAY TO ATLANTA FOR WORK I HAD TO INHALE STRONG GAS FUMES FOR MOST OF MY TRAVEL. WHEN I GOT THERE I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP & THEY DISCOVERED MY GAS TANK HAD A LEAK AND GAS WAS LEAKING NEAR BACK SEAT THEY GAVE A ME AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 2500 TO FIX I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MERCEDES BUT NO RECALL YET WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY THE INHALATION OF THE FUMES & GAS LEAKING IN A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING & PARTS THAT GET EXTREMELY HOT. I DON'T UNDE… Look up ODI 10604788 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11297903 · 180,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR DETECTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS RED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF GOLDENS BRIDGE 321 NY-22, GOLDENS BRIDGE, NY 10526, [phone removed] TO BE DIAGNOSED. A FUEL LEAK WAS CONFIRMED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED… Look up ODI 11297903 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	1 ODI 10809991 · 130,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED … Look up ODI 10809991 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT "BRAKE FAILURE AND ESP FAILURE" WERE DISPLAYED AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY DOWNSHIFTING AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CO… Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train	0	0	0	1 ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10837458 · 86,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10837458 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10676537 · 36,003 mi 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… Look up ODI 10676537 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

32 mentions · 22.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 91,500 mi (28 usable records).

ODI 10228665 · 49,500 mi

6 DISC CHANGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. RIGHT AFTER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WAS OVER, DEALER SAID THEY HAD REPLACED MANY OF THEM THAT WEEK, BUT REFUSED TO FIX IT AND IT WAS ONLY 1,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY. BEFORE WARRANTY WAS UP, THE DEALER SAID THE FIXED GAS HOSE RECALL BUT STILL SMELL GAS AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT IT ANYMORE. *TR

Look up ODI 10228665 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi

Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10451510 · 105,500 mi

GAS ODOR BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN TANK IS FILLED TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY. ODOR LINGERS UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF EMPTY. INSPECTED FUEL PUMP/FILTER LOCATED UNDER REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND DISCOVERED GAS LEAKAGE/PUDDLE. GAS LEAK IS WITHIN A COUPLE OF CENTIMETERS FROM TWO ELECTRICAL CABLE CONNECTIONS ATTACHED TO FUEL PUMP/FILTER - AN IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. PREVAILING FUMES ARE HAZARDOUS TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY SMALL CHILDREN, AND MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR

Look up ODI 10451510 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

20 mentions · 14.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 118,850 mi (18 usable records).

ODI 10105378

Look up ODI 10105378 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10331029 · 51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A TOW TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 12/10/10 *BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE …

Look up ODI 10331029 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi

Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

10 mentions · 7.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 108,616 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10364069 · 67,000 mi

Look up ODI 10364069 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10640212 · 127,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE IN SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Look up ODI 10640212 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10643657 · 124,839 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE "YOU HAVE REDUCED CAPACITY" WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND SANK TO THE FLOOR FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURN OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) UNIT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…

Look up ODI 10643657 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 2.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 42,983 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10232543 · 40,000 mi

Look up ODI 10232543 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10405366 · 45,965 mi

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 …

Look up ODI 10405366 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10559593 · 38,000 mi

Look up ODI 10559593 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

3 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 101,200 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10091345 · 11,400 mi

Look up ODI 10091345 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10701499 · 191,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS REFUELED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.

Look up ODI 10701499 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10944022

THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO A PRIOR GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION AND RELATED EXTENSION OF WARRANTY. THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION DETERMINED LEAKS COULD OCCUR FROM THE GAS TANK PRESSURE SENSOR, THE OUTLET OF THE GAS TANK FILLING LIMITER VALVE AND AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. DETERMINED LEAKS COULD OCCUR FROM THE GAS TANK PRESSURE SENSOR, THE OUTLET OF THE GAS TANK FILLING LIMITER VALVE AND AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. AS A RESULT, BENZ EXTENDED ITS WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS ON GAS TANK COMPONENTS IN 2003-2009 E-CLASS VEHICLES AND 2006-2011 CLS-CLASS VEHIC…

Look up ODI 10944022 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 1.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,967 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10864238 · 76,933 mi

WHILE D IRVING HOME FROM WORK, AFTER STOPPING FOR LIGHT, WHEN LIGHT CHANGED AND I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, I SUDDENLY COULDN'T HARDLY TURN. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO MAKE TURNS, THEN AFTER ARRIVING HOME MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE SUSPENSION HAD DROPPED ON THE VEHICLES AND WAS RESTING ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. POWER STEERING RESOVIOUR WAS EMPTY AND WHEN HE PUT SOME IN. IT ALL RAN ON THE GROUND. V ECHO LIE WAS IN MOTION.

Look up ODI 10864238 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10875633 · 75,000 mi

DEALERSHIP: FIRST CLASS AUTO LAND, 4050 FRANKFORD AVE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19124 FIRST PROBLEM: THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR THE DEALERSHIP PROMISED TO FIX IT AND NEVER DID. SECOND PROBLEM: THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT, BUT I GOT A NEW ERROR ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIRD PROBLEM: AFTER GETTING THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM FIXED A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED SAYING WARNING ESP MALFUNCTION VISIT SERVICE CENTER. FORTH PROBLEM: I DROVE TO WORK AND GOT HOME PARK THE CAR WOKE UP THE NEXT D…

Look up ODI 10875633 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b