Most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C Class complaints by model year
Best C Class years: 1996, 1998, 2000. Years to avoid: 2002, 2004, 2008, 2001. Compare all years →
2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class recalls (1)
Seat belts
On certain passenger vehicles, some seat belt buckles May have a burr on a metal component of the locking mechanism. The presence of the burr could prevent the seat belt from locking under certain circumstances.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belts. Owner notification began on December 22, 2003. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
What 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class owners say
Engine & cooling
Wile driving, the consumer noticed steam coming from the hood and black smoke coming from the back of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle ,but was unable to do so. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Please fill in additional information.
2004 Mercedes Benz c- Class wagon. Consumer writes in regards to defect that allows coolant to leak into the transmission, requiring replacement of the transmission, torque converter and radiator the consumer stated he was forced to spend over six thousand dollars to have the transmission replaced, to correct a defect Mercedes Benz was aware of.
Transmission & drivetrain
I have black Mercedes c230 kompressor sports sedan 2004 model. Car was purchased brand new at Mercedes authorized dealer. There is no modification made to this car and all the servicing done at Mercedes authorized dealer since I bought this car. It had only 58000 miles. Last b servicing which checked any safety related issues and includes regular maintenance, was done at authorized dealer on 02/18/2012. No issue was informed on 02/18/2012 to us by Mercedes authorized dealer servicing department. On 06/21/2012, when I was driving this car from work to home, I turned on A/C, A/C shutdown and I started smelling smoke. On left side of my car there is A/C vent and I saw fire inside the hood through that vent.I pulled over car right away and electricity went out with in 1 min of my pulling over and within 4 min, whole car was burning. My car is now totaled. …
Dt*: the contact stated there was an odor coming from the transmission area. The contact believed the odor was coming from either an oil or transmission leak. The dealership was unable to determine the source of the odor. The contact was concerned this was a potential fire hazard. The vehicle is a 2004 Mercedes-Benz c230.
2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl supercharged | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl supercharged | 6-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl supercharged | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 C Class rates use caution: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the C Class at the same age. It is one of the C Class years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and wheels & tires (2).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class, the most recent from December 19, 2003 (seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 1998 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz C Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 21,000 miles; 71% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.