The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz M/GLE

2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE has too few complaints to score: 16 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is 2010.

Not enough data. Only 16 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.

Best year 2010 · Worst year 2006

Mercedes-Benz M/GLE
Photo shows a 2018 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE. Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints16first 3 years
Fuel economy14–15 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 53 owner complaints, owners reported:

3crashes
6injuries
6fires
1tows

Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

brakes31%
visibility19%
electrical12%
tires12%
fuel system, gasoline12%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 71K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 118K miles on the car (42 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 0

No safety recalls on record.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about

Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 67 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • The electrically folding 3rd seat row makes noises while folding up and down, or the folding
  • Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
  • Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Fuel cost and engines

About $5300–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

Overly excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear associated with 2004 mercedes ml500 suv. Replacement/repair cost not covered by mercedes new vehicle warranty and repair costs in excess of $1300.00.

2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE owner · NHTSA complaint 10155406

Quick answers

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE reliable?

There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 16 complaints in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (31%), visibility (19%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?

None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE get?

14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 118,500 miles. The middle report was at 71,500 miles, from 42 complaints.

Does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE cost in fuel a year?

About $5300 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?

3.7L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is better than the 2004?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2011.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data