Most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz S500 complaints by model year
Best S500 years: 2021, 2023. Years to avoid: 2022, 2000, 2001. Compare all years →
What 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 owners say
Electrical system
During rain storm, water seepeed ino air cowl into cabin-passenger side- flooded floor eventually sam electronic module under floor was damaged and shut off electronics in automobile while driving at high speed on freeway- with out power controls operating it made driving and stopping the car a very dangerous feat eventually went off road into guardrail and stopped. Mercedes Benz has been aware (a lawsuit was filed in ca) of design defect of air cowl drain clogging and flooding cabin but has kept this dangerous flaw from owners even though we learned they have for sale an update kit to prevent this at owners expense. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz S500. The contact stated that the vent controls failed to activate the air conditioning and the heating system. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the motor regulator and the air conditioner blower needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Suspension
The dash board lights lose their ability to illuminate the dashboard and the back airbags on the suspension keep deflating
Issues with airmatic system. Will not function properly. Car is sitting too low to the ground to drive safely. Issues with pump.
Lights
License playe light out short causes SRS light to come on and have to be reprogrammed. There is now an sis defective light due to the wiring. My truck does not power close. Happens at all times. And while turning it caused an error for turn lights
The dash board lights lose their ability to illuminate the dashboard and the back airbags on the suspension keep deflating
2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 S500 rates better than average: 83% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S500 at the same age. 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 S500?
The electrical system — 6 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the suspension (3) and lights (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz S500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2000 and 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz S500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 0% 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.