How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 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 S-Class?

Of 17 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is electrical system.

2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 73,929 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 08V303000 2008-07-07 404 affected

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A…

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 07V263000 2007-06-12 19,924 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

INTERIOR LIGHTING 06V028000 2006-02-02 36,911 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

Consequence

DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 04V285000 2004-06-09 16,690 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.

Consequence

IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AIR BAGS

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SEAT BELTS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

STEERING

STRUCTURE

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Total complaints17

What owners report

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

“Srs system not operating on passenger side. *tr”

AIR BAGS · reported 2014-03-24

“Rear view mirror leaking . Lava effect, blurred, dimmer failure. *tr”

VISIBILITY · reported 2012-01-03

“I received a bas/esp malfunction on my steering wheel. This is the second tire monitor that has failed on this car. I have contacted mercedes and notified them of the problem. They have offered no assistance in repairing this safety/mechanical failure. This car should not have these sensors going…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2011-04-02

“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz sl500. While driving the contact noticed that her check engine light illuminated and oil was leaking in the vehicle front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test. The failure was located as the power…”

STEERING · reported 2011-01-01

“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz s500. While driving 65 mph he started to smell an electrical fire and continued to drive to his destination. After arriving to his destination he noticed that everything electrical in the rear of the vehicle was no longer working. The vehicle was towed to…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2010-08-12

“2 weeks ago the shifter on the car started to get harder and harder to get out of park. Last week the car's shifter was stuck in park position and does not move. I had to tow the car to a mechanic and they have to replace the whole shifter. *tr”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2010-07-24

“I have had to replace two cable harnesses for seat belt in both front seat. Connectors are being replaced in every s class due to more than frequent failure. Mechanic has informed me that these connectors by not operating will cause safety restraint and airbags to not deploy in accident.…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2010-04-10

“In 12-06 I bought a 2004 mercedes benz s500. Since than I took the car back the dealer more ten times the latest was 1-09 for the same reason the air matic defected orcompressure leak,pressure sensor malfunction,air matic valve block defective. Some time they found the air matic compressors w/…”

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · reported 2009-01-28