RoadVitals

2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
17
Latest May 21, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
41%
of 41 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed May 21, 2021

Vehicle had a blow out on highway. Pull onto right shoulder doing about 60mph. Pressed the brakes and would not stop. Kept pressing brake and pumping the brakes and would not stop. was going around 50mph on the shoulder. After 15 seconds of pressing the brakes, car decided to brake. Checked brake lines, brake fluid and everything was correct and not leaking and drove the car back home slowly with spare on. ESP and ABS error came on. No other warning came on.

NHTSA ID
11418001
Incident
May 20, 2021
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 26, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, WITH SHORT BEEPS , THE SBC IN MY W211 GIVES A SHORT WARNING AND FAILS COMPLETELY. IT IS VERY RISKY TO DRIVE AFTER THAT. WITH SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR THE RELIABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. IF THERE IS A RECALL IT WOULD HELP MANY OWNERS.

NHTSA ID
11311560
Incident
Dec 10, 2019
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 7, 2019

IN JANUARY 2018, MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED SBC MALFUNCTION ISSUES AND I TOOK IT TO THE AND THEY QUOTED ME $ 2,700+/- TO FIX THE ISSUE. I THEN CALLED MB USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SBC UNIT WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR 10YRS AND THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED THAT LIMIT. I THEN REACHED OUT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $865 (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED RECEIPT). I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE SBC UNIT FROM MB OF CLEAR LAKE FOR $1,045.70 . THUS, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIR AND SAVE MY SELF ABOUT $1,000 AS MB WAS NOT COVERING ITS REPAIR. ON SEPTEMBER 2018 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB USA, INDICATING THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS REIMBURSABLE. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY REQUESTED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR CAN BE REIMBURSED ONLY IF IT WAS DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A FAIRWAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WHEN ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LEGITIMATE REIMBURSABLE. MB I BELIEVE IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING MY DUE REFUND FOR A FAULTY SBC UNIT. I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO MB USA AND THEY REACHED OUT TO ME WITH THE ANSWER, "NOT UNLESS REPAIR DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER" THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11206023
Incident
Jan 3, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID
11139421
Incident
Oct 1, 2018
Mileage
127,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED SO THAT AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OVER 300,000 TIMES, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC BRAKE UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SURPASSED THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY SIX MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ID
11012501
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
149,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2017

CAR HAS "SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM", SBC, THAT UPON FAILURE RENDERS THE CAR UNSAFE AS ONLY THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES WILL HAVE PARTIAL HYDRAULIC POWER TO STOP THE CAR. REF: MB BULLETIN "S142.46-P-0012A" FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING OR BRAKE DEGRADATION. MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL TRANSITORY FAILURES AS I WAS DRIVING. ONLY TURNING OFF THE KEY AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN DID I REGAIN NORMAL BRAKING. ALSO UPON SBC FAILURE THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH A FUNCTIONING REVERSION TO "HYDRAULIC MODE." MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECALL AND REPLACE ALL SBC UNITS ASAP TO ELIMINATE THIS "TIME BOMB." *TR

NHTSA ID
10944461
Incident
Aug 7, 2016
Mileage
78,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. . MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID
10780142
Incident
Oct 6, 2015
Mileage
132,998 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 2015

WHILE DRIVING I GOT THIS WARNING " BRAKE SERVICE BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP.(COLOR BLACK)" I WENT TO A CERTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ SHOP AND GOT A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS STATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE POWER SUPPLY ACCUMULATION OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER, I NEVER RECEIVED FROM MERCEDES-BENZ A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10763421
Incident
Sep 3, 2015
Mileage
91,468 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 19, 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID
10726285
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Mileage
151,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 10, 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682662
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10672013
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
172,322 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671680
Incident
Jan 6, 2015
Mileage
135,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2015

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A TO NATHANIEL HAYES AT DOT.GOV WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 10/6/2015*JS

NHTSA ID
10670742
Incident
Jan 7, 2015
Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2014

NEAR TOTAL AND INSTANTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE, VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR, THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO ENTER PARKING LOT TO STOP. AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DASH ILLUMINATED RED AND NOTIFIED OF BRAKE FAILURE, PUSHING PEDAL TO FLOOR BARELY PROVIDED ANY BRAKING AT ALL. AFTER KEY OFF CYCLES EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE NORMAL AGAIN. HUGE CONFIDENCE LOSS IN VEHICLE, VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR AT SPEED, NOT GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10562339
Incident
Jan 31, 2014
Mileage
136,042 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2013

MI WIFE WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE TO WORK WHEN AT THE SECOND TURN BEFORE EXITING TO A MAIN STREET THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY WITH RED LIGHT WARNING ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY COLLAPSED WITHOUT ANY EFFORT TO STOP. DO TO THE LOW SPEED OF MOVEMENT MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR IN TO THE SIDEWALK AND PUT IT TO PARK. SHE LEFT THE CAR AT THE LOCATION AND USED OUR SPARE TO GO TO WORK. MY MECHANIC COULD NOD BE CERTAIN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE THE CAR HAS BEING PERFORMING NORMAL SINCE. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE DO TO UNCERTAINTY THAT MAY HAPPEN UNDER HIGHER SPEED AND GET INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508478
Incident
Apr 4, 2013
Mileage
87,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Oct 28, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVING EAST ON US 30 IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC ON WET PAVEMENT (DUE TO PREVIOUS RAIN) BETWEEN TORONITO STREET AND LOUCKS MILL ROAD IN YORK, PA, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN TO STAY WITH THE TRAFFIC AND REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, I APPLIED FULL PRESSURE EXPECTING THE ABS TO ACTIVATE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AHEAD WHICH WENT INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE IMPACT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS. MY SEAT BELT HELD ME BUT I DID RECEIVE WHIP-LASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOTALED MY CAR. *TR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ STATING THE IMPACT DAMAGE WAS BELOW AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLDS AND THE EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE, REVEALED NO DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. UPDATED IVOQ 01/06/12. *TT

NHTSA ID
10433501
Incident
Oct 14, 2011
Mileage
84,042 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERY 4-6 WEEKS DUE TO A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL THE SWITCHES RELATING TO THE BRAKES, THE COMPUTER WAS SHUT DOWN THREE TIMES, SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AND THE BALL IN THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, WHICH ALLOWED CARBON DIOXIDE TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE NINTH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10243094
Incident
Jul 10, 2007
Mileage
8,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .