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.
38
Latest Jan 23, 2025
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.
30%
of 125 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
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 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 38 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
The 25 most recent of 38, in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but the pedal was stiff. The vehicle was taken to two dealers where it was diagnosed that the brake pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
NHTSA ID
11637872
Incident
Nov 15, 2024
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that there was leakage coming from the driver’s and the passenger’s side sunroof. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The contact was informed that the only warranty would be for the module. The contact stated as he was driving the vehicle into the dealer service center the ESP warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the ESP warning light disappeared, the brake warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,648.
NHTSA ID
11483387
Incident
Sep 7, 2022
Mileage
97,648 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed May 16, 2022
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 25 MPH .SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES AND A BRIGHT RED SIGNAL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND THE CAR BRAKES FAILED .TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT ,MY WIFE DROVE INTO AN UPHILL PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT THE CARS BRAKES HELP .AFTER WE CALMED DOWN ,WE CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RIZZOLI'S MECEDEZ REPAIR 702 WEST GRAND AVE GROVER BEACH CA 93433 PHONE NUMBER 805-481-0832 WHICH WAS CLOSED AND THE CAR WAS LEFT IN THEIR PARKING LOT WITH THE KEYS LEFT IN THE DROP BOX .THIS WAS THE CLOSEST MERCEDES REPAIR PLACE WE COULD THINK OF IN OUR STATE OF SHOCK. WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT SBC BRAKE SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST $3453.06 TO REPAIR .I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A 25 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VIN NUMBER IN QUESTION .AFTER THE REPAIR I STILL NOTICED SOME CUSHIONING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR BRAKES DID WORK . RIZZOLIS IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP .I CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR ALPHONOS ,1423 CALLE JOAQUIN,SAN LUIS OBISPO ,93405 ,805 4382701 PRIOR TO GET THE CARS BRAKES REPAIRED AND THE REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL LISTED ON THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT HELP ME . I AM SEEKING REEMBERSEMENT OF THE COST OF REPAIR SINCE THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WOULD NOT HONOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE ON THE 25 YEAR WARRANTEE . THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ID
11464802
Incident
May 6, 2022
Brakes
Filed May 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnose the failure to be the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electronic braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
NHTSA ID
11463277
Incident
Apr 29, 2022
Mileage
98,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 1, 2020
MZB ISSUED A 25-YEAR-WARRANTY/SAFETY RECALL EXTENSION ON MY 2003 E500 MZB CAR; #2005110001 -FOR THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM. AROUND AUGUST 2020 I WAS DRIVING ON SURFACE STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING RED WARNINGS AND THE SPEED IMMEDIATELY REDUCED AND TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED IN FIRST GEAR. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED AND MANAGED TO PULL CAR CURBSIDE. I THEN SLOWLY DROVE CAR HOME, AND THE NEXT DAY CONTACTE A MASTER ASE MZB MECHANIC AND HAD CAR TOWED THERE IN TEMECULA. HE DETERMINED THE SBC UNIT WAS THE CAUSE AND EVEN CALLED MZB TEMECULA TO ASSURE THEY HAD THE PART. HE THEN INFORMED ME MY CAR WAS UNDER A 25-YEAR RECALL EXTENSION TO REPAIR THE SAFETY- HAZARD ISSUE. DEALER AND MZB USA REFUSES TO REPAIR - THEY SAY SINCE THEIR COMPUTER DOES NOT SHOW FAULTS, THE CODES THAT THE ASE MASTER MECHANIC ( WHO IS KNOW TO TEMECULA MZB SERVICE MANAGER FOR YEARS) SENT TO THEM DO NOT MATTER...ONLY THEIR SYSTEM CODES. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE FREEWAY DRIVES ARE ESSENTIAL AND FREQUENT; A SBC LIMP MODE BREAKDOWN WOULD PUT MINE AND OTHERS LIVES IN DANGER. MZB TEMECULA AND MZB USA IN GEORGIA TOLD ME THAT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM UNLESS IFTHE SYSTEM GOES DOWN AND I HAVE TOWED TO THEM.
NHTSA ID
11362237
Incident
Aug 12, 2020
Mileage
150,250 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2020
VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING A RED WARNING SIGN WHILE DRIVING AT WHICH POINT I LOST ALL BRAKES IT WAS ONLY RIGHT THAT I USED A RUNAWAY RAMP AT THE MOMENT OTHERWISE THE CAR WOULD HAVE NOT STOPPED. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN UPON RESTARTING EVERYTHING BRAKE RELATED DISAPPEARED. ALSO THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ALREADY.
NHTSA ID
11350363
Incident
Aug 19, 2020
Mileage
146,753 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2018
SBC ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED NEEDED REPLACEMENT & SWITCH MB SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOR MY YR VEHICLE. MERCEDES BENZ FINALLY TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IN DOCUMENT AUGUST 2018 THAT THEY ARE COVERING THE COST AND LABOR TO THIS PROBLEM FOR UP TO 25 YEARS IN MODEL YEAR. BUT YOUR SITE DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL ON THIS?? LIMP MODE AND FAULT LIGHTS FLASHED SBC/ABS UNIT FAILED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. PLEASE, FILE MY COMPLAINT SINCE I AM GOING AFTER MERCEDES BENZ LOCAL DEALER FOR MY REFUND OF CASH FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. THANKS
NHTSA ID
11133247
Incident
Apr 21, 2018
Mileage
117,480 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 2018
THE SBC IS THE PROBLE , AND I BELICE RHAT IT IS / WAS ON RECALL, I WANT YOU TO FIX THE PROBLEM . THANKS
NHTSA ID
11105206
Incident
Jul 13, 2009
Mileage
109,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING, THE RED BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A "DECREASE BRAKING" MESSAGE APPEARED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES PERFORMED AT A SLOWER RATE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ID
11015055
Incident
Feb 1, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH HOUSTON LOCATED IN HOUSTON, TEXAS) WHO INDICATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC SBC BRAKE PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SBC BRAKE PUMP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2011. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED, INCLUDING THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,801. UPDATED 09/05/17*LJ *CN *TR
NHTSA ID
11004205
Incident
May 28, 2017
Mileage
152,801 mi
Brakes
Filed May 8, 2017
WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET BRAKES ENGAGED ON THEIR OWN. PULLED CAR OVER DUE TO WARNING LIGHT FOR BRAKE MALFUNCTION AS CAR DOWN SHIFTED ITSELF. TRIED TO DRIVE CAR ONCE STOPPED AND BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED NOT ALLOWING CAR TO OPERATE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD BEEN RECALLED BY MERCEDES BUT THEIR TIME FRAME TO GET IT FIXED HAD EXPIRED. I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE DUE TO BUYING THE CAR USED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS DEFECT AFFECT SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS MODEL. I CONTACTED MBUSA THEY EXPLAINED NHTSA DIDN'T DO THE RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT AND THE TIME THEY SET FOR REPAIR HAD EXPIRED. I TOLD THEM THE REPAIR IS $2100.AND ASKED MBUSA DO THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT BEING THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE THAT THEY USED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THAT THEY COULD GIVE ME $200.00 OF $2100.00 TOWARD THE REPAIR BEING THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. MDUSA HAS NO INTEGRITY TO STAND BEHIND A PROBLEM THEY CREATED WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA ID
10984155
Incident
Mar 11, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 2017
I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CARS BUILT BETWEEN 2003 & 2006 WERE BUILT WITH THE SENSORMATIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT OR SBC. MERCEDES DISCOVERED THAT THIS BRAKE SYSTEM HAD A LIFESPAN BASED ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED SO THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS UNIT TO TEN YEARS. FROM WHAT I READ, THESE UNITS JUST FAIL, SOMETIMES WITHOUT NOTICE, AND THE CAR IS LEFT WITH 10% BRAKING POWER, WHICH IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO STOP A CAR, ESPECIALLY A CAR GOING 55 OR 60 MILES AN HOUR. THE TEN YEAR WARRANTY DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE THE FAILURE IS BASED ON USAGE, NOT TIME. MY CAR IS 13 YEARS OLD AND I JUST SAW A MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD THAT INDICATES IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE SBC. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB, UP TO $2000 AND I DO NOT BELIEVE I OR ANY OWNERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. HOW IS A CAR MANUFACTURER ALLOWED TO BUILD AND SELL A CAR THAT HAS A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT FAILS AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TAPS ON THE BRAKE. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR OF THE BRAKES FAILING ON ME. I HAVE EMAILED DAIMLER BENZ AND DID NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WITH THIS MATTER [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB
NHTSA ID
10959158
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2016
I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. RED LIGHT LET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH IT SAID THAT BRAKE MALFUNCTION. SBC SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO GLADE TO A STOP AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10919026
Incident
Oct 25, 2016
Mileage
1 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO A STOP USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOTRONIC CONTROL HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA ID
10903267
Incident
Aug 30, 2016
Mileage
142,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON SO I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS STILL COMING ON, COULD NOT STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC WITH BREAK PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WENT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOW HEARING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL. VEHICLE PURCHASE 1 YEAR AGO, HAS JUST OVER 99K MILES. GERMAIN MERCEDES ADVISED REPAIR COST ARE $2500 AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY
NHTSA ID
10892965
Incident
Aug 3, 2016
Mileage
99,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Dec 28, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND PAINS TO THE WRISTS DUE TO THE FORCE FROM THE IMPACT THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD RESTRAINT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED YET TO DETERMINE HOW THE FAILURE HAPPENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10816605
Incident
Oct 5, 2015
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 7, 2015
Crash reported
I PURCHASED THE MERCEDES BENZ E500 2003 ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO. I NOTICED ABOUT 21/2 YEAR THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON EVEN AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES REPLACED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND MESSAGE STATES PLEASE STOP YOUR, THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES I WAS IN TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT STOP AND WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE ON, THIS MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH BOARD. WHEN I WENT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NEVER TOLD BY ANY MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL. THEY JUST QUOTED ME PRICES ON REPLACING THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL, INSTEAD OF TELLING ME THERE WAS A RECALL. I NEED YOUR HELP, BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, NOR DID THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERS TELL ME OF THE RECALL. PLEASE EMAIL AT [XXX] OR CONTACT AT [XXX]. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ID
10808932
Incident
Apr 10, 2009
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 11, 2015
DIVING MY 2003 E500 THE RED LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SAID REDUCE BREAKING DISTANCE. IT FELT LIKE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 E350 WHICH WAS ON THE RECALL. LIST BUT THE 2003 E500 IS NOT ON THE RECALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002 E350
NHTSA ID
10789734
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ID
10777681
Incident
Sep 23, 2015
Mileage
83,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT 4 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE BAD WARNING LIGHT UNILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT HE SBC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ID
10759731
Incident
Aug 7, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 3, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE SBC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ID
10691846
Incident
Nov 23, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 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
10682336
Incident
Feb 9, 2015
Mileage
196,252 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2015
I MERGED ONTO THE 215 FREEWAY HEADING NORTH WHEN AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH A RED STOP SIGN SHOWED UP ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SAYING STOP AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT I DON'T REMEMBER. THE CAR SHIFTED DOWN TO SECOND GEAR BELLS GOING OFF. I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME. I AM FORTUNATE MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING. IT WAS A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE THAT NO ONE SHOULD GO THROUGH WITHOUT WARNING. CAN'T BELIEVE MB HAS A SAFETY ITEM THAT WORKS LIKE THIS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10671544
Incident
Jan 7, 2015
Mileage
147,036 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2014
AS I WERE DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, SUDDENLY A WARNING RED LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH FLASHING THE BRAKE SIGN. SOON AFTER A MESSAGE STARTED TO FLASH WARNING ME TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. AS I WERE PROCEEDING TO PULL TO A SAFE PLACE, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND FOUND TO MY SURPRISE THAT I HAD PRESSED ON A SOFT PEDAL. LUCKY I HAD KEPT MY KOOL, AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON A SIDE STREET AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10654901
Incident
Nov 7, 2014
Mileage
106,191 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE EPS BRAKE DEFECTIVE WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT DECELERATED AND HALTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SOFTWARE INSTALLED IN THE PAST THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVING IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS WHEN THE EPS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA ID
10648933
Incident
Oct 6, 2014
Mileage
176,000 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