Table 1 shows two common power train related problems of the 2004 Mercedes Benz E55.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission problems | |
| Driveshaft problems |
The safety failure is the my transmission goes into neutral even though the gear selector has remained in drive. Pressing the accelerator only revs the engine and does not provide any acceleration. I have no choice but to stop the vehicle whether it is safe to do so or not as I have no ability to maintain or increase my speed to safely pull over. After stopping, I have to put the car into reverse before I can then get the car back into drive. The problem has occurred multiple times when driving my vehicle and is increasing in frequency (twice in 1 week). The problem has occurred at various speeds including several times at highway speeds on the highway in heavy traffic. I have taken the car to the dealership and was told that the 13 pin connector at the transmission has a seal that is leaking. This has caused a need for the following to be replaced: eectr-hydraulic valve body, wire harness transmission, transmission control unit, trans service w/13 pin connector for a total of $6,164. I have found that mercedes issued a star bulletin (dtb) detailing this bad seal at the 13 pin connector. I have also found information that the 3rd generation of this seal no longer has this problem. I have not had the repairs performed at this time.
Melt broken gas tank, fuel leak: * drive shaft has sign of rubbing the heat shield * burned/melted rubber tube that covers the metal emergency brake line (passenger side) * burned/melted heat shield near drive shaft (passenger side) * burned/melted gas tank (passenger side) that had a hole and caused massive fuel leak.