2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Electrical system is the leading concern among 77 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 77

Of the 2004 reports, 3 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.

Primary concernElectrical system13 reports · 17% of complaints
Owner complaints77Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationshipNo recalls on fileNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system13
  2. Engine and engine cooling12
  3. Fuel/propulsion system10
  4. Other or unspecified9
  5. Power train8
  6. Air bags7
  7. Seat belts7
  8. Service brakes7

Recalls and investigations

No safety recalls on file.

Representative owner complaints: air bags

7 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Mar 11, 2022

    SRS ABS ESP lights occasionally go on and off mostly the SRS take to shop does not come on or stay on obd2 does not detect may use clear error messages stays off for few weeks then back on and off bought scanner when SRS comes on sometimes it shows error B1035 stored and current the resistance value in the ignition circuit containing component R1 2/20 (left front side airbag ignition squib) is too high sometimes nothing hear this same complaint from many owners. drivers side seat motor only works off and on had replaced sometimes works sometimes does not lots of sensor issues shows a door ajar when it is not have to replace senors

  2. Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Nov 11, 2018

    I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C230 THE LIGHT IS ON BUT THE SRS IS ON GIVE MESSAGE THAT SAID DRIVE TO A WORK SHOP

  3. Air bags, Oct 12, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IMPACT ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

  4. Air bags, Jul 21, 2015, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE, BACK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. WHILE WAITING ON POLICE AND MEDICAL SERVICE TO ARRIVE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS STILL FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/15 *BF MA 10/22/2015

  5. Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, May 27, 2013

    THE SRS AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALFUNCTIONS COME ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS ARE TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. AT FIRST TURNING THE CAR OFF THE MALFUNCTIONS WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE AIR BAGS, SEAT-BELTS WONT WORK IN A ACCIDENT. ALONG WITH IF LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE AFTER PAYING THOUSAND TO HAVE IT FIXED IT REAPPEARS AFTER A YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY WIRE AND SENSOR. *TR

  6. Air bags, Jun 27, 2007, crash

    VEHICLE IS A C 320 AND WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, RECEIVING SIGNIFICANT FRONT END COLLISION BY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEREAFTER HITTING A CONCRETE STREET DIVIDER.DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HEAD,UPPER AND LOWER BODY AND LEGS.

  7. Air bags, Aug 3, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE, AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK