RoadVitals

2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Apr 29, 2014
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 26, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 45 · page 1 of 2

Fuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2014

MY WHOLE GARAGE SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE WHENEVER WE FILL UP THE GAS TANK. THE SMELL WILL REMAIN UNTIL WE DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, CONSUMING PERHAPS 1/4 OF THE TANK. THIS HAS BEEN ON-GOING ONLY FOR THE LAST YEAR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10585406
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2013

I STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THE CAR CABIN. THERE WAS GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY AS WELL. THE GAS SIGN STARTED TO FLASH ON MY DASH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A MAJOR LEAK IN THE PURGE SYSTEM. THEY QUOTED ME $3066.88. THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT PASS IT ON TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556255
Incident
Nov 20, 2013
Mileage
88,900 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 31, 2013

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT AFTER FILL UP. THIS COINCIDED WITH ACCURACY ISSUES OF THE FUEL GAUGE, WHERE VEHICLE NOW RUNS OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE INDICATES 1/4 TANK. THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS HAPPENS NOW REPEATEDLY WITH EVERY FILL UP, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE SOME FORM OF LEAKAGE AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550379
Incident
Oct 4, 2010
Mileage
53,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 14, 2013

I PURCHASED THE MERCEDES IN APRIL 2013 OF THIS YEAR AND LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE CAR I HAD MAJOR REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR. I SLIGHTLY SMELLED FUEL VAPORS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR HOWEVER I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A POSSIBLE AFTER EFFECT OF ME REFUELING THE CAR. OVER THE COURSE OF TWO MONTHS THE FUMES BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AND I STAY WITH A MIGRAINE EVERYDAY. TODAY WAS UNBEARABLE AS IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND IT IS BECOMING HARD TO CONCENTRATE AND IT FEELS LIKE MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO BURST. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER AS THIS IS THE WORST EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE! THE PEOPLE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND I WANTED TO RETURN THE CALL ALTOGETHER! I PLAN ON GOING TO THE DEALER, AND TO THE DOCTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535366
Incident
Aug 14, 2013
Brakes
Filed Mar 28, 2013

THE WARNING LIGHT OF BRAKES FAILURE CAME ON AT HIGHWAY EXIT AT 65MPH AND THE BRAKE PADDLE HIT THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES. PULLED OVER AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN MID MARCH AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS THE SBC PUMP THAT FAILED WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MERCEDES BENZ UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 484656 BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 02/28/13 AND SINCE I WAS 15 DAYS OVER THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED. CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF NA AND ASKED THEM THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WAS NOT TOLD BY ANYONE ABOUT THIS TSB AND THEY SHOULD COVER THE REPAIRS SINCE THE PUMP ACTUALLY FAILED WHEN THE CAR STILL UNDER EXTENDED 10 YEAR WARRANTY (SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: 484656 ). THEY FLATLY REFUSED. I THAN ASKED THAT IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE BRAKES COULD FAIL COMPLETELY THAN ITS MERCEDES DUTY TO TELL THE OWNERS EVEN IF THEY BUY USED, THE PERSON JUST KEPT QUIET. PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY GET HURT OR DIE WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPENS. AT THE END I WAS CHARGED $2309 FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY MERCEDES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504889
Incident
Feb 10, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 24, 2012

EACH TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL TANK EMITS VAPORS. IT SEEMED SOMEWHAT TOLERABLE IN THE PAST, THOUGH THIS PAST WEEK, IT WAS ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH WALLS AND UP 2 STORIES. IT'S PAST TOLERABLE AND JUST DOWNRIGHT UNACCEPTABLE NOW. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY OWNER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FRANKLY I'M AMAZED A COMPANY WITH THE "PEDIGREE" OF MERCEDES BENZ HAS ALLOWED THIS TO GO UNSOLVED ACROSS THE MARKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476883
Incident
Sep 18, 2007
Mileage
210,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPEATED THE DEALER'S SENTIMENTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10468261
Incident
Jul 27, 2012
Mileage
103,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2012

FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE NEAR REAR LEFT TIRE. FOUND FUEL AROUND FUEL SENSOR UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. MOST EVIDENT AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. FIRST DISCOVERED LEAK AT 70K MILEAGE AND AGAIN ON 128K. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456826
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 22, 2011

I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT GAVE ME A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE STATING THAT THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAY DOESN'T READ THE PROPER LEVEL, THE BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE, THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE FEATURES OF AUTO ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TILT, THE MIRRORS, AND THE SEATS ARE NOT WORKING. CHECKED FOR RECALLS, FOUND A SIMILAR RECALL IN JULY OF 2008, BUT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10436746
Incident
Nov 20, 2011
Mileage
4 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2011

VERY STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. FUMES COMPLETELY PERMEATE MY TWO CAR GARAGE AND ALSO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FUMES DISAPPEAR WHEN TANK LEVEL REACHES 7/8 FULL. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES ON THE WEB REGARDING STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN THE TANK IS FULL ON E MODEL MERCEDES YEARS 2003 TO 2006. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVELY AND/OR FIRE. I CONTACTED MERCEDES REQUESTING THE ISSUANCE OF A SERVICE RECALLED BASED ON THE APPARENT HIGH INCIDENCE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN TAKING ANY ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10433530
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
107,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2011

THE CAR HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. THE GASOLINE ODOR PERMEATES THE CABIN AND, WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE, CAUSES A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF GAS FUMES THAT OVERWHELMS A THREE CAR GARAGE AS WELL AS THE 1000 SQUARE FEET LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE (EVEN WITH ALL ADJOINING DOORS CLOSED). SHOULD THE GASOLINE CONCENTRATION REACH THE PROPER LEVEL, IT MAY CREATE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD. ONCE THE TANK IS 1/8 EMPTY, THE FUEL ODOR GOES AWAY AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL THE GAS TANK IS ONCE AGAIN FULL. HAD AUTO CHECKED BY THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY STATED PROBLEM COULD NOT BE LOCATED BUT I NEEDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY TO RESOLVE ISSUE. TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND SIGNS OF GASOLINE LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND RUNNING DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE TANK. BASED ON RESEARCH CONDUCTED ON THE WEB, IT APPEARS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH E CLASS MERCEDES YEARS 2003 TO 2006. THE POSTINGS FOUND ON SEVERAL MERCEDES BENZ OWNER SITES INDICATES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETECTED SINCE THE CARS WERE NEW. A PERSONAL FRIEND, WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL, HAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PREVALENCE OF THE ISSUE INDICATES A DESIGN/ ENGINEERING FAILURE THAT RESULTS IN GASOLINE LEAKING FROM 'SOMEWHERE' IN THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL TANK. I REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ORDERING A RECALL TO ADDRESS AN OBVIOUS UNDERDESIGN FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10433494
Incident
Oct 3, 2011
Mileage
57,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 20, 2010

I OWN A MERCEDES BENZ E-500, 2003, WITH ONLY 31,700 MILES ON IT. ON FRIDAY, JULY 16, I HAD IT SERVICED AT MY LOCAL MB DEALER IN LARCHMONT, NY. ON SUNDAY, JULY 18, AS I STARTED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING "STOP. CAR TOO LOW". I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WILL LOOK AT IT BUT, I BELIEVE IT IS A FAILURE OF THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) AIRMATIC SUSPENSION, THE CAR IS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT, AFTER ONLY 31,700 MILES, THAT SUCH A PART CAN FAIL. I'M RATHER HESITANT TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY ARE ASSURING ME THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT MB HAS HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS TYPE OF PART AND I WISH FOR THE NHTSA TO TAKE SOME SORT OF ACTION TO FORCE MB TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10344140
Incident
Jul 18, 2010
Mileage
31,690 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2007

DEFECTIVE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL E320. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM MERCEDES BENZ. **CC

NHTSA ID
10181643
Incident
Dec 1, 2003
Mileage
10,490 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TWO RECALL LETTERS WERE RECEIVED REGARDING THE BRAKES, #05V133000 AND #04V296000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE REPAIR WORK DID NOT NEED TO BE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT THEN ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE WORK WAS NOT DONE, AND THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIPS DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE WORK NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED.

NHTSA ID
10173848
Incident
Nov 20, 2006
Mileage
30,001 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 24, 2006
Crash reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION IN 9-04 WHERE MY 2003 MERCEDES (MB) WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME. MY CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME EVEN THOUGH IT WAS TRAVELING ONLY ABOUT 20 MPH AND THAT I APPLIED QUICK, MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THERE WAS ONE OTHER "CLOSE-CALL" A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHEN I CALLED THE MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 # AND THE MERCEDES DEALER, BOTH OF THEM DENIED THAT THERE WERE ANY REPORTS OR RECALLS OF BRAKE FAILURE. THEREFORE I WAS DEEMED TO BE AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME. WHEN I TOOK MY MB FOR ROUTINE SERVICE IN 2-05, THE TECH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE RECALL AND PROCEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. NOW IN 2-06, I RECEIVED YET ANOTHER BRAKE RECALL (CAMPAIGN # 2005-110001). ONE STATEMENT IN THE RECALL WAS "THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH." MY PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT CONTACTING MB RESULTED IN THEIR REPEATED DENIAL THAT THEY WERE AT FAULT FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE AND THE ACCIDENT. WITH THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AND THE REPEATED NATURE OF THE BRAKE RECALLS, I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD REIMBURSE MYSELF AND OTHERS LIKE ME FOR THE INCREASES IN THE INSURANCE PREMIUM AS WELL AS THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. IT IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR THE INTEGRITY OF A RENOWNED CAR COMPANY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151160
Incident
Sep 11, 2004
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed May 9, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

NHTSA ID
10120484
Incident
May 7, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2005

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COMMENCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN IT CAUSES A LACK OF BRAKING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10109036
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
3,905 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 3, 2005

GOODYEAR TIRE DEFECT GOODYEAR LS TIRE. TIREES ARE CUPPING STARTING AT APPROX.15000 MILES. TIRES MUST BE REPLACED AT 20000 MILES. NO RESPONSE BY GOODYEAR. GOODYEAR HAS HAD 294 ON-LINE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS TIRE WITH APPROX. 85% FOR THIS OR SIMULAR PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OKAY. SEE WWW.GOODYEAR.COM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10105682
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2004

AFTER RECEIVING NHTSA RECALL 04V296000 MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED UNTIL JANUARY 2005.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101163
Incident
Nov 17, 2004
Mileage
18,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemVisibility
Filed Oct 29, 2004

I OWN A MERCEDES E 500 ,YEAR 2004.I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM AFTER I ALMOST KILL MYSELF WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED YESTERDAY. THE MERCEDES FAILED TO INFORM THE CONSUMER ESP. THIS KIND OF DEFECT. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS RECALL WAS SINCE MAY AND HAD TO EXPERIENCE MYSELF BEFORE RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER. THIS IS NOT A GOOD BUSSINESS PRACTICE AND IN FACT A NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY. THIS CAN CAUSE MY LIFE AND MAY OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME MODEL OF CAR IN WHOM I KNOW A FEW AND THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL LETTER.

NHTSA ID
10097992
Incident
Oct 28, 2004
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2004

CAR PURCHASED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT FLETCHER JOHES, NEWPORT BEACH, CA..A TOTAL OF 20 PLUS FAULTS AND 13 WEEKS IN REPAIR OUT OF 12 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP...HAD ASKED DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATOR. DEALER WANTS US TO TRADE IN AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR. AFTER PAYING $50,000 FOR A QUALITY NAME, THIS SEEMS LIKE A JOKE. 1. FOUL AMONIA SMALL FROM A/C WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED. DEALER CHANGED VENTILATION FILTER BUT SMELL CONTINUES. 2. RADIO BUTTON STICKS. DEALER SAYS MB DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THIS. CAR IS WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS. 3. CONVINENCE SETTINGS FOR LIGHTS AND MIRROR KEEP RESETTING. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODE BUT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS. 4. WHEN GOING UP HILL THE TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS AND THE CAR GOES TO A CRAWL THEN STALLS, WHEN ACCELATOR IS PRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO 1ST GEAR AND THE CAR LEAPS FORWARD. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODE BUT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10096507
Incident
Oct 13, 2004
Mileage
5,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2004

100% BRAKE FAILURE/LOST I LEFT MY OFFICE AT 02:30 AM. 3.5 MILES FROM HOME, AS I'M DRIVING UP HILL APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 55 MILES PER HR TEMP. OF 75 DEGREES DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. I APPROACH ONE OF THE INTERSECTIONS AS I PRESS ON THE BRAKE THERE IS 100% BRAKE FAILURE THE PEDAL FEELS NORMAL NOT HARD NOT SOFT NORMAL, THE WARNING SYSTEM ACTIVATES A RED LETTERING DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP! VEHICLE BRAKE (SOMETHING) I CANT REMEMBER THE INSTRUCTIONS OTHER THAN STOP VEHICLE BUT I COULD NOT STOP AT ALL. I PROCEEDED TO DOWNSHIFT AND FLICKERING MY HI/LOW BEAMS TO MAKE THE RED LIGHT TURN GREEN WITH SUCCESS IT TURNS GREEN AS I REACHED THE INTERSECTION, SINCE MY CAR WAS GOING UPHILL IT MADE IT EASIER TO COME TO A STOP. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL CONSEQUENCE, PROBABLY DUE TO THE HR. OF THE DAY IT WAS BUT IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT WHAT IF I WAS ON MY WAY DOWN TO WORK @ 8:00 AM. I COULD HAVE KILLED MY SELF MY 3 KIDS OR SOMEONE ELSES FAMILY OR YOURS FOR THAT MATTER. MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERS NOW THE LAST REPORT FROM THE ASST. MANAGER IS THAT THE THERE WAS AN ENGINEER BEING SENT FROM MERCEDES BENZ TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10086879
Incident
Aug 13, 2004
Mileage
41,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 2004

PLEASE SEE PREVIOUSLY FILED REPORT #10083022. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2004, THE BRAKE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED REPORT OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HOLDING THE CAR AT THE STOP. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR HAD BEEN TAPPED FROM BEHIND, BUT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THE DASH WARNING CAME ON AGAIN SHOWING THE SAME TWO MALFUNCTIONS PREVIOUSLY LISTED AND THE WARNING BEEP SOUNDED. THIS TIME THERE WAS SOME BRAKE ACTION REMAINING IN THE PEDAL. THE CAR BEGAN TO IDLE VERY ROUGHLY, BUT BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME BRAKES LEFT, I DROVE THE CAR FOUR BLOCKS HOME. THE DEALER IS PICKING THE CAR UP...AGAIN. SEE VOQ 10033232 ALSO. *DSY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10086185
Incident
Aug 2, 2004
Brakes
Filed Jul 30, 2004

1- VEHICLE (2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E55) WAS TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY (NJ). I WAS APPROACHING EXIT 109 WHEN A CAR ENTERING FROM THE RIGHT DECIDED TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, CUTTING ME OFF. *AK 10086185 2- WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS QUICKLY, THE DASH LIT UP RED, A WARNING BEEP CAME ON AND A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE TOLD ME "BRAKE MALFUNCTION-STOP VEHICLE" (A BIT IRONIC, HUH?). THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT TO THE FLOOR. I DOWNSHIFTED TWO GEARS AND TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT FINALLY HAD TO STOP THE CAR BY DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE. I PULLED THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE DASH SHOWED TWO MALFUNCTIONS, BRAKES AND ESP (TRACTION CONTROL), AND THE WARNING BEEP CONTINUED UNTIL I REMOVED THE KEY. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AS INSTRUCTED BY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, UNTIL FINALLY THE DASH ADVISED "NO MALFUNCTIONS," AND THE PEDAL REGAINED ITS NORMAL FEEL, AT WHICH POINT I DROVE SLOWLY HOME. ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM MY HOUSE THE FAILURE REPEATED ITSELF. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR FROM A WALKING PACE USING ONLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITH BOTH FEET ON THE PEDAL AND CONSIDERABLE FORCE APPLIED, THE BRAKES COULD BARELY STOP THE CAR FROM EVEN THAT SPEED. I STOPPED THE CAR AGAIN USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND REPEATED THE TURN IT ON/TURN IT OFF SEQUENCE UNTIL GETTING THE "NO MALFUNCTION" SCREEN AGAIN AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. UPON ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY, I GOT THE FAILURE MESSAGE AGAIN, SLOWED THE CAR IN THE SAME MANNER AS BEFORE AND PARKED IT. 3- THE DEALER PICKED UP THE CAR ON A FLATBED AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE. I ALSO CONTACTED THE NHTSA PRIOR TO ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE TOWED AWAY IN CASE ANY INVESTIGATION NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. ULTIMATELY, THE ABS/ESP CPU WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED ON JULY 27, 2004. COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDER HAVE BEEN FAXED TO SCOTT YON AT NHTSA FOR REVIEW. THE CAR HAS PERFORMED PROPERLY SINCE THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10083022
Incident
Jul 18, 2004
Mileage
14,180 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 22, 2004

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE, IT HESITATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CONTROL MODULAR WAS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE TWICE. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD COME DOWN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10083519
Incident
Jul 22, 2004

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