2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class recalls and problems

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class has 1 recall and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C Class
Pictured: a 2005 model; the 2004 may differ in details. Photo: 2005 Mercedes-Benz C Class by MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2004 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 9 C Class model years — 2nd most.

1recalls
15complaints
2crashes
2fires
2injuries
21,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Seat Belts

Dec 19, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V534000 · 4,348 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the seat belts. Owner notification began on December 22, 2003. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz recall no. 2003 120006.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine3
Power Train3
Air Bags2
Electrical System2
Seats2
Tires2
Visibility2
Fuel System1
Steering1
Unknown or other1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004: 7 complaints200472005: 2 complaints20052006: 1 complaints20062007: 2 complaints20072011: 1 complaints20112012: 1 complaints20122013: 1 complaints20131

2004 vs. other Mercedes-Benz C Class years

2000: 8 complaints20002001: 14 complaints20012002: 31 complaints2002312003: 9 complaints20032004: 15 complaints20042005: 5 complaints20052006: 9 complaints20062008: 13 complaints20082012: 1 complaints20121

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2004. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class, the latest from Dec 19, 2003 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (3), power train (3), air bags (2). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.