2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

BRAKES JUST WHEN OUT ON IT AND THEY HAVE A RECALL BUT IS GOOD FOR JUST 10 THEY NEED TO BE RESPONS FOR THIS PROBLEM MAKING CARS WITH NO BRAKES IS A DEITH WISH I HOPE YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IS NOT SAFE AT ALL

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE'S "SERVICE BRAKES-VISIT WORKSHOP" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

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.

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS MAY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A DRAMATIC REDUCTION OF BRAKING CAPACITY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND RESULTS IN GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A PROVIDES DISCUSSION CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES CEASED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. DUE TO CONCERNS WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THIS VITAL ELECTRONIC SAFETY SYSTEM. MERCEDES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE, AS PART OF A RECALL, THE FAILURE PRONE ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS THAT HAVE REACHED THEIR SERVICE LIFE THRESHOLD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT LEADS TO FATALITIES

MY CAR HAS A STRONG AND OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN I DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 2 WEEKS NOW WHENEVER I DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS UP. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN IN ORDER TO BREATH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBINE SENSOR, THE WHEEL, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND THE COIL PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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.

I HAVE OWNED MY 2003 E320 FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW, HAVING PURCHASED IT AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES. EVERYTIME I PARK IT IN MY GARAGE AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, MY GARAGE SMELLS OF GASOLINE, EVENTHOUGH THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A VISIBLE LEAK ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. RECENTLY AFTER I REFUELED, THE SMELL WAS NO LONGER JUST OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD NOW PERMEATED INTO THE CABIN. THESE FUMES HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THEY ARE SO OVERWHELMING.

I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 5, BRANCH AVE., NEAR CLINTON, MD, ABOUT 30 MPH, DOWN SLIGHT DECLINE OF A HILL, APPROACHING A PLACE IN THE ROAD WHERE CARS CAN ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. AS WE NORMALLY DO, I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS TO SLOW DOWN, IN CASE ONE OF THE CARS SITTING ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT, DECIDED TO ENTER ON TO BRANCH AVE. MY BRAKES FAILED - THE FOOT PEDDLE WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO CONTROL IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND IT WAS LIT UP IN RED WARNING LIGHTS , FIRST SAYING BRAKE NEED MAINTENANCE (OR SOMETHING) AT FIRST. I MANAGE TO GET THE CAR TO STEER TOWARDS THE RIGHT TO GET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOPING THE ROUGH TERRAIN WOULD HELP TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP. BY THIS TIME THE RED WARNING LIGHTED UP DASH BOARD SAID STOP, BRAKE FAILURE OR SOMETHING. THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AND I TURNED IF OFF. I AM 59 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND WAS ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED - MY WHOLE BODY WAS SHAKING FROM THE FEAR THAT I WAS GOING TO WRECK ON THIS BUSY HIGHWAY. LUCKILY FOR ME THE CARS WAITING TO ENTER THE ROAD, DID NOT AND CARS ON THE HIGHWAY SLOWED DOWN AND WENT AROUND ME WHILE THE CAR WAS COASTING TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT TELLING ME TO GET THE BRAKES SERVICES - THEY JUST FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I CALLED MERCEDES ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR THEM TO PICK UP THE CAR. AFTER AN HOUR AND THEY HAD NOT ARRIVED, I TURNED THE CAR ON, THERE WAS NO RED LIGHT. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND IT DIDN'T GO TO THE FLOOR BUT IT WAS SOFT AND WENT NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. I KEPT PUMPING THE BREAKS - SOMETHING I USED TO SEE MY FATHER DO - THINKING THAT WOULD BRING THE BREAKS BACK UP SO THAT I COULD AT LEAST DRIVE BACK HOME TO AWAIT SERVICE TRUCK. I LET MERCEDES SERVICE KNOW, THEN I SLOWLY DROVE BACK, SIDE ROADS, PULLING OVER TO ALLOW CARS TO PASS UNTIL GOT HOME.

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY ROAD AT A SPEED OF 30MPH WHEN THE MFD TURNED RED, STARTED BEEPING AND STATED BRAKE FAILURE, STOP DRIVING. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFTED. AFTER PULLING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK WHERE IT LOCKED IN PLACE. AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES THE SBC RESET ITSELF AND THE TRANSMISSION UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED TO THE MERCEDES DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE MERCEDES TECH STATED THAT THE SBC NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A 10 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE SBC UNIT, BUT IT EXPIRED IN JUNE 2013. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND MERCEDES BENZ USA STATED THAT THEY DID NOT NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION OR OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SBC. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SBC IS $2,000.

SHORTLY AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK, I SMELL GAS FUMES TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE CAR BEHIND DRIVE SIDE OUTSIDE. THERE IS NO FUEL LEAKS THAT DROP ON THE CAR AND ALSO THERE IS NOT FUEL LEAKS UNDER THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE NEITHER.

BAD FUEL PUMPS UNDER REAR SEAT CAUSING FUEL SMELL IN MY ENTIRE CAR.

WHEN I'M STOPING THE CAR, THE BREAKS DID NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD, AND THE STOP DISTANCE INCREASED BY 50% !! ON AUGUST 10TH I WAS IN THE ON THE WAY BETWEEN CHARLOTTE AND NASHVILLE, IN THE MOUNTAINS CURVES WAY DOWN, I USED THE BREAKS, THE CAR ALMOST GOT OUT OF CONTROL.... I FELT LIKE THE FRONT AND REAR BREAKS DON'T DO ANY SYNCHRONIZATION TO STOP THE CAR, ITS MAKING THE CAR LOSING CONTROL ON THE CURVES..... I RED ON THIS ISSUE ON INTERNET I FOUND THAT MERCEDES HAS USED A NEW BREAKING SYSTEM FOR THIS CAR AND STOP INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IT IN 2006! THE REASON WHY THEY STOP USING THIS BECAUSE IT 100% ELECTRONIC BREAKS SYSTEM, IT CALLED SBC (SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL ) 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.

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.

MY VEHICLE STARTED PUTTERING AND FINALLY SHUT OFF. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST MERCEDES BENZ SHOP LOCATED ON INDEPENDENCE DRIVE IN CHARLOTTE. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. I INFORMED THE SERVICE ADVISOR COLTON AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TODD ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE COMPONENTS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE BECAUSE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE CRACKED BEFORE THEY WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY. TO MY UNDERSTANDING IF THE ITEM IS A PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, IT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR THE WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO SATISFY THE WARRANTY AND I ENDED UP NOT AUTHORIZING THE REPAIRS. NOW BECAUSE MERCEDES WILL NOT REPAIR THE COVERED PART, I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED. I THINK MERCEDES SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND PARTS AND LABOR FOR NOT SATISFYING THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY.....UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF

VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH RED LIGHT INDICATING TO TAKE VEHICLE TO WORKSHOP IN RED. BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, SRS SYSTEM STALLED THE VEHICLE, EMERGENCY MODE WAS ACTIVITED,WE WERE UNABLE, AT FIRST TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS IF IT WAS PARALYZED. WE FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO RUN AND RESET THE CODE BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES, THANKFULLY MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND MYSELF NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR ADEQUATE BRAKING DISTANCE. THIS CAR LEFT ME WITH NO BRAKES AT ALL DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THIS I'D NOT SAFE!

VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT HAD OCCURRED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. MERCEDES BENZ OF WEST CHESTER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE OCCURRENCE WAS STORED IN VEHICLE ELECTRONICS. THE FAULT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. MERCEDES DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR GETS HOT WHEN ENGINE RUNNING AND CAUSES INTERNAL RESISTANCE TO RISE TO THE POINT OF SHORTING OUT. MERCEDES BENZ STATED THAT A FAILURE OF THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY BUT RATHER SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE RESTARTED ONCE IT WAS STOPPED IN ORDINARY OPERATION. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!

BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED 2003 E55 FROM MERCEDES DEALER 2005. HAVE HAD CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AND EXCLUSIVELY AT DEALER EVER SINCE. HAVE SMELLED GASOLINE SMELL IN GARAGE ESPECIALLY AFTER FILLING-UP CAR. MOST RECENTLY, ON 21-APR-15 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. DEALER SAID GAS TANK LEAKING AND THEY WOULD FIX IT - COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ - NO COST TO ME. MY CONCERN IS: IF MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS DEFECT (SEE LINK TO MERCEDES LAWSUIT (BELOW)) FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM FOR SERVICING, REGULARLY, FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS (AND SPENT MORE THAN $10,000 IN SERVICE OVER THOSE YEARS) WHY DID THE DEALER NOT PREEMPTIVELY ALERT ME EARLIER TO THIS VERY DANGEROUS LIABILITY AND RECTIFY IT YEARS AGO? HTTP://WWW.SCRIBD.COM/DOC/100877072/MERCEDES-LAWSUIT. *TR

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 DO BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS RELAYED IN THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006.I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2007 AS A USED VEHICLE WITH APROX. 40,000 MILES. I HAVE NOT BEEN SENT ANYTHING FROM MBENZ NOTIFYING OF THIS ISSUE.VEHICLE PUT IN SHOP 4-16-20015 AT MERCEDES. DIAGNOSIS WAS FAULTY SBC PUMP SYSTEM AT A COST FOR REPAIR $2400.00. 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.LASTLY, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. KNOWN AS THE SRS SYSTEM.THIS ISSUE IS SPELLED OUT AS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN MERCEDES E CLASS OPERATOR'S MANUAL, TOLD BY MERCEDES SERVICE DEPT,THIS IS A $800.00 BILL TO HAVE REPAIRED. QUESTION,, DOES SOMETHING TRAGIC HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE, MERCEDES BENZ LIVE UP TO THEIR OBLIGATION OF KEEPING THOSE WHO PURCHASE THEIR VEHICLE,,,,,SAFE. *TR

THERE IS A GAS LEAK ON THE SENDING UNIT (FUEL TANK) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH FUEL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND IT IS COMMON WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ E320. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD WHO COMPLAINS OF THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR. IT LEAVES THE SMELL OF GAS IN MY GARAGE AS WELL.. *TR

COMING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR DRIVES FUNNY AND SUDDENLY THE RED LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON STOP. CAR TOO LOW. RETURN TO THE PARKING LOT TRIED THE RAISE BUTTON. YOU CAN HEAR THE CAR RAISING AND THAN IT GOES DOWN AGAIN. CALL THE TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT BACK. *TR

FUEL APPEARS TO BE LEAKING UNDER SEAT FROM GAS TANK STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN GARAGE, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT EXPLOSION DUE TO FUMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

CAR DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED "STOP, CAR TOO LOW". THE FRONT LEFT PORTION OF THE CAR WAS LOW AND THE TIRE ALMOST TOUCHED THE TIRE FENDER. TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO SHOP BUT CAN HEAR THE TIRE SCRATCHED THE FENDER WHEN MADE TURNS. TOWED THE CAR TO SHOP NEXT DAY. SHOP TOLD ME THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO REPLACE STRUT AND RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TWO STRUTS. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY. CAR COULD LOOSE BALANCE AT HIGH SPEED. TIRE COULD BUST AT HIGH SPEED. CHECKED ONLINE AND SAW MANY PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEMS. NOW I REMEMBER THAT A FRIEND IN TAIWAN HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN 500 MERCEDES STRUTS IN HIS SHOP. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAD BEEN A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR MERCEDES 500 SERIES. WHY MERCEDES DID NOT RECALL CARS FOR REPAIR??? TOO EXPENSIVE AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO IT FOR MERCEDES?? IT COST ME $2,850 TO REPLACE THE FRONT TWO STRUTS. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE IT. *TR

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

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.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD BY A COLLEGE IN LOWELL MA AND MY DASH BOARD LITE UP AND STARTING BEEPING. SAID BRAKE FAILURE SORT STOPPING DISTANCE, VISIT WORK SHOP ASAP. I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BUT IT WAS VERY HARD STOPPING IT, I HONKED THE HORN BECAUSE I WAS COMING UP ON A SCHOOL CROSSING( THANK GOD) THEY ALL MOVED OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE RAN OVER THEM ALL. I GOT THE CAR STOPPED AND SHUT IT OFF, POLICE OVER SAW THE WHOLE THING AND PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, WE WENT TO GO START THE CAR UP AND ALL THE LIGHT WHERE OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE, THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS TAKING THAT CHANCE AGAIN SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY GARAGE, MECHANIC JUST CALLED ME AND SAID NOTHING WAS STORED IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE BRAKES ARE WORKING FINE NOW. HE CHECKED ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WHERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND INFORMED THERE A LOT OF PROBLEM FROM MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS ON THIS ISSUE. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN, I COULD HAVE KILLED ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN THE WALK WAY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF. PLEASE HELP ! I JUST LOOKED UP THE SAME INFORMATION ON GOOGLE AND THERE ARE HUNDRED OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, MY BRAKES ARE NEW. IT IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF. *TR

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. *TR

THE W211 MERCEDES (E-CLASS) HAVE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) UNITS FOR THE BRAKES. WHEN, NOT IF, BUT WHEN THEY GO OUT, THERE IS NO PRIOR WARNING OR ANYTHING AT ALL. ALL BRAKING ABILITY JUST STOPS OUT OF NOWHERE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE ALL BRAKES IN THE CAR STOP WORKING. THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN AND MERCEDES NEEDS TO CHANGE OUT THE SBC PUMPS ON THESE CARS BECAUSE THE CONSEQUENCES CAN, AND WILL, BE DISASTROUS. *TR

I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE NOW. WHEN I FILL UP MY FUEL TANK THERE IS A DRASTIC SMELL OF GAS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR OUT ON THE STREET IN FEAR MY WATER HEATER WHEN IGNITING WOULD SET OFF A EXPLOSION. I AM SURE MB KNOWS OF THIS SITUATION SINCE I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS REMARKS AND INSTANCES ON JUST THIS SUBJECT. I WOULD HOPE THAT MB WILL ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND INDEED THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS A CRACK ON TOP ALLOWING THE FUEL TO LEAK WHEN FILLED UP TO THE FULL MARK. THANK YOU ADVANCE IN REPORTING THIS TO MERCEDES. *TR

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

MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON TEXAS HWY 281 JUST NORTH ON MARBLE FALLS TEXAS. I NOTICED A TRAIN COMING AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND MADE THE DECISION TO STOP FOR THE TRAIN! WELL AT THAT TIME MY BRAKE DASH WARNING CAME ON AND IT WAS ALL RED AND MY BRAKES FAILED. THEIR I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR (LEGALLY) AND I COULD NOT STOP AND IT WAS WAY TO LATE FOR THE TRAIN TO STOP ALSO SO I FLOORED IT TO GET OVER THE TRACKS THEN I FINALLY CAME TO A SAFE STOP. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR A FIX AND TO MY SURPRISE MERCEDES HAD KNOWN OF THIS FOR MANY YEARS AND STOPPED ALL HELP WITH THE ISSUE WHEN THE CAR REACHED 10 YEARS OLD. THIS CAR SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE COMPANY THAT KNOWINGLY PUT IT ON THE ROAD WITH AN EXPERIMENTAL NEW TYPE OF BRAKING SYSTEM THEN TELLS OWNERS DOWN THE ROAD TO KISS THEIR BUTT. AND ITS NOW THE OWNERS PROBLEM. WHAT A DEAL MY CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE BUT HAS A DEFECTIVE EXPERIMENTAL BRAKING SYSTEM THAT MERCEDES WILL NOT EVEN DISCUSS FIXING. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A CORVAIR OR MAYBE A PINTO AT LEAST YOU CAN STOP THEM! WOW WHY HAVE YOU NOT JUMPED ALL OVER THIS MANUFACTURE ABOUT THIS DEADLY PROBLEM EVEN YOU HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS! BUT NO ONE HAS TOLD ME??? THE TITLE SHOULD BE MARKED DEADLY IN BOLD LETTERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT THE IGNITION BEING TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC UNITED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE ASWELL AS IN THE CABIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THEN SUBSIDED AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN HAS GROWN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER PAST YEAR. NOW IT IS CONSTANT - NOT JUST WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED. HAVE NEVER ADDED MORE GAS AFTER THE NOZZLE SHUTOFF WHEN REFILLING - NEVER TOP OFF THE TANK. I DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER FROM MB IN JAN 2015 AS OTHER HAVE REPORTED ON INTERNET. I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY AT THE MB DEALERSHIP. THE 2008 FUEL RECALL WAS INSTALLED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO.

THIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN 2008 FOR THE SAME ISSUE AS PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN BY MERCEDES-BENZ, #2008-020001. I WAS NOT THE OWNER AT THE TIME. THE IDENTICAL ISSUE IS NOW PRESENT ONCE AGAIN, VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN THE INTERIOR, AND A LESS-PRESENT ODOR AT THE EXTERIOR. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDER UNITS WILL NOW BE REPLACED AT MY PERSONAL EXPENSE, HOWEVER SINCE THIS IS A REPEAT OF A PREVIOUS ISSUE WHICH HAD ALREADY WARRANTED A RECALL, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA. *TR

I PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE AND SMELLED GASOLINE. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND IT WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. IT LEFT A BIG PUDDLE AND WILL NOT STOP. *TR

WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FUMES OF GAS AFTER THE GAS TANK IS COMPLETELY FILLED. LATER THE CAR DEVELOPED ROUGH IDLING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF OKLAHOMA CITY WHERE THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED FOR INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS. IN THE MEAN TIME WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES-BENZ OF USA NOTIFYING US OF EXTENSION OF WARRANTY ON FUEL SYSTEM FOR UP TO 15 YEARS. WHEN WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT WE WERE TOLD THEY KNOW AND ARE FOLLOWING THE "BULLETIN" ISSUED BY THE COMPANY. INITIALLY WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US BY REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WAS NO PAPER WORK SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS ACTUALLY DIAGNOSED AND DONE. THE CAR IS STILL IDLING ROUGH, THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECT (THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL, GAUGE SHOWS 1/4TH EMPTY). WE WILL TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. FUEL LEAK IS A SERIOUS MATTER, WE WISH THE COMPANY HAD TAKEN SERIOUS STEPS TO FIX IT AND HAD INFORMED THE CUSTOMERS OF THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. HOPE NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

SBC LOSS OF POWER NO BRAKES STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY. SEE WORKSHOP. *TR

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.

VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH RED LIGHT INDICATING TO TAKE VEHICLE TO WORKSHOP IN RED. BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, SRS SYSTEM STALLED THE VEHICLE, EMERGENCY MODE WAS ACTIVITED,WE WERE UNABLE, AT FIRST TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS IF IT WAS PARALYZED. WE FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO RUN AND TURNED VEHICLE INTO MB DEALERSHIP. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SBC UNIT WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, WE WERE BESET WITH 1,800.00 REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES, THANKFULLY MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND MYSELF NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR ADEQUATE BRAKING DISTANCE. FUEL: UPON FUELING VEHICLE, THE FUEL HANDLE WILL STOP AND IMMENSE AMOUNTS OF FUEL WILL SPURT OUT FROM FUEL TANK. THERE IS ALSO A SMELL OF GAS/FUEL IN THE CABIN AFTER FILL UP. THIS CREATES A HUGE SPILL AND NOTIFICATION TO ATTENDANT. TAKES UP A GREAT AMOUNT OF TIME TO FILL UP TANK. SURPRISINGLY WE HAVEN'T BEEN CHARGED FOR FUEL SPILLS. SRS: LIGHT ON FOR SAFETY RESPONSE SYSTEM, SHORTLY AFTER VISIT AT MB DEALERSHIP. HAVE NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO MB DEALERSHIP FOR FEAR OF ANOTHER EXPENSIVE REPAIR.

MY 2003 MB E500 SPORT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION. WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND DROPPED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FRAME 2 INCHES FROM THE ASPHALT. MY SMALL CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND WOULD HAVE BOUNCED UP TO THE CEILING IF HE HAD NOT BEEN SECURED IN HIS CARSEAT. THE CAR IS NOT OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME AND REPAIR ESTIMATES EXCEED $3,000.00. *TR

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

MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DIAGNOSED MY SBC PUMP UNIT, IN WRITING, AS "FAULTY." THEY HAVE THEN GONE ON TO DENY AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL PUBLISHED ON THIS WEBSITE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000. ACCORDING TO 2 MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS, AND MBUSA CUSTOMER CARE AND CLAIM DEPARTMENT, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A RECALL ON THE SBC UNIT, OR HAVE THEY EVER HEARD OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 -- THERE IS, HOWEVER, A LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE SBC PUMP. AFTER DOING SOME INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, IT IS CLEAR THAT AFTER RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000, HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NHTSA, IT HAS GONE COMPLETELY UNACKNOWLEDGED FROM THAT POINT ON. MERCEDES HAS INSTEAD "REBRANDED" IT AS A WARRANTY-RECALL, UNDER INTERNAL CAMPAIGN #2005110001, WHICH NO LONGER COVERS THE SBC PUMP ITSELF, ONLY THE WIRING AROUND IT. THERE IS CLEARLY A CONFLICT/CONTRADICTION HERE, AS THE MBUSA.COM WEBSITE REFERS TO THE SERVICE ON MY CAR (BY VIN) AS 05V-311, BUT THE INVOICE I RECEIVED FROM MERCEDES-BENZ REFERS TO IT AS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I RECENTLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE. AS IT GOT STRONGER I BECAME MORE WORRIED. WHEN CLEANING OUT THE CAR TODAY I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WAS STAINED NEAR THE BOTTOM(SMELLS LIKE FUEL). I PULLED UP THE BACK SEAT AND UNDER THE SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUR OF FUEL PUDDLED AND STAINED INTO THE FLOOR AND AROUND A CIRCULAR LOOKING COVER OF SOME SORT. WHILE LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SAW THAT IT HAS BEEN COMMON IN THIS YEAR/MODEL CAR. *TR

FILLED MY JUST PURCHASED 2003 E55 AMG WITH GASOLINE ON 10/30/14 AND DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. AFTER A FEW MINUTES MY BROTHER TOLD ME THE GARAGE HAD A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. DROVE TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING AND NOTICED THE SMELL WAS EXTREMELY STRONG IN THE CAR AND LEFT WINDOWS DOWN TO VENTILATE. DROVE HOME WITH WINDOWS DOWN AND STILL NOTICED SMELL THAT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM BACK SEAT OF CAR. ENTERED CAR AND "GASOLINE SMELL" INTO INTERNET SEARCH TO FIND THERE IS A LARGE SCALE ISSUE, INVESTIGATION, AND LAWSUIT. WHEN PICKING THE CAR UP FROM DEALER I NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR SEAT BOTTOM WAS NOT ATTACHED. THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO AN INSPECTION. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ACCESS PANEL FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE SEAT. AFTER LEARNING THIS I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT TO FIND GASOLINE ON THE ACCESS PANEL. REMOVED THE PANEL TO FIND A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE TANK AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID TO PARK THE CAR AND A TOW TRUCK WOULD DELIVER IT TO THEM. THEN THE DEALER CALLED AND PROVIDED A NUMBER FOR ME TO CALL MERCEDES BENZ USA TO ARRANGE A TOW TRUCK. MERCEDES ARRANGED THE TOW TRUCK AND HAULED THE JUST PURCHASED CAR BACK TO DEALER. DEALER IS SUPPOSED TO BE CHECKING IT ON MONDAY 11/3/14 TO LET ME KNOW THE STATUS. *TR

I HAD A GASOLINE TO LEAK IN THE WELL UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATS IN THE BACK OF MY 2003 E320 MERCEDES BENZ. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I HAD TO SPEND $1200.00 TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP ON MY 2003 E 320 MERCEDES BENZ. WHEN WILL MERCEDES BENZ RECALL THESE MODELS FOR FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS? THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEMS WHILE THIS CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW IT'S COMING UP 11 YEARS LATER. OVER 40 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT MERCEDES IS STILL SAYING THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, NOR DO THEY HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE FUEL LEAK PROBLEMS. THERE ARE ALSO OWNERS IN OTHER STATES WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM, BUT LISTED BELOW IS A COMPLAINT ON CPSC'S WEBSITE FROM A LAUREL, MD 2003 E320 OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I'M EXPERIENCING: JUL 31, 2011 - LAUREL, MD - GASOLINE MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320, IN WHICH THE FUEL FILTERS ARE LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT, HAD A POWERFUL GASOLINE ORDER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE BENZ REPAIR SHOP STATED IT WAS A HAIRLINE FRACTURE IN THE FUEL FILTER AND IT WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY REPLACED THE FILTERS, BUT I'VE SEEN THEM REPLACE THE SAME TYPE FILTERS IN 2008 MODELS. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND A SAFETY HAZARD. IF ME OR MY SPOUSE HAD BEEN A SMOKER, OR CAUSED A SPARK, WE COULD'VE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FATAL EXPLOSION. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

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.