Most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C320 complaints by model year
Best C320 years: 2004, 2005, 2003. Years to avoid: 2002, 2001. Compare all years →
2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 recalls (3)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
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.
What 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
I smelt fuel inside my car whenever my car would be filled to a full tank of gas and for a period of time until the fuel level dropped. My car started to drive funny and not accelerate normally then stopped all together. Mercedes diagnosed it as a fuel system issue. I bought the parts at Mercedes and had it repaired and then then received a week later a recall for the fuel system as a safety issue. . The dealer did not fix my car and has avoided the assistance to resolve the issue and I can not reach anyone at Mercedes corporate that can help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz e320. The contact smelled a strong gasoline odor coming from vehicle. The contact removed the rear seat and discovered that the driver's side rear wheel was filled with gasoline. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel pressure valves needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred after the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 C320 rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C320 at the same age. It is one of the best C320 years by this measure. 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 C320?
The fuel & propulsion system — 5 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the wheels & tires (2) and windows, wipers & sunroof (2).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). 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 C320?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2005 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002 and 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz C320 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 25% 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.