How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 have?

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500?

Of 173 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system.

2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 913,037 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 24V874000 2024-11-19 33,456 affected

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is…

VISIBILITY 22V954000 2022-12-23 131,653 affected

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and…

VISIBILITY 19V918000 2019-12-20 747,928 affected

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit:…

Consequence

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

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Complaints by component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SUSPENSION

SERVICE BRAKES

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Total complaints173

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-03-01

“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…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2025-12-20

“Vehicle started smoking and caught fire while I was driving. Pulled over and vehicle erupted in flames. It took firefighters 2 hours to put out that fire.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2024-02-28

“The contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e500. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that upon making a stop, he noticed fuel leaking onto the driver's side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · reported 2022-09-05

“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…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2022-01-12

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2022-01-12

“The contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake malfunction warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the sbc hydraulic unit needing to be replaced.…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2021-07-01

“Vehicle has a recall on replacement of fuel tank. Mercedes benz dealer did not want to honor the recall. When I fill car up with gas it leaks out of the tank and on the ground. Mercedes-benz dealer said I missed the time for the recall. I went to the dealership before the recall ended in 2019…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2021-04-02