2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Suspension Problems

AIRMATIC SUSPENSION DROPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. RED LIGHT WARNING FLASHED THAT VEHICLE WAS LOW. TRIED TO RAISE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT RAISE. CAR WAS VERY CLOSE TO GROUND AND WOULD NOT RAISE..BEGAN LOOKING UP, IF OTHER SAME MODELS AS OURS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DO. READ SEVERAL CONSUMERS COMPLIANTS/ CONCERNS WHO ALSO OWN A MERCEDES BENZ THEY SEEM TO HAVE THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AT A DEARLERSHIP. LOOKS LIKE THIS VEHICLE MAY HAVE A PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH THEIR AIRMATIC SUSPENSION AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UNKNOWING THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS DROPPING TO GROUND.THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR AIRMATIC SUSPENSION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED WHILE DRIVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SUSPENSION SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE 'STOP DRIVING/VEHICLE DRIVING LOW' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

"TAKATA RECALL" MY MERCEDES BENZ E500 BACK AIR SHOCKS STOPPED LIFTING THE CAR WHEN I STARTED IT IN THE MORNING AND THE RED INDICATOR LIGHT WANT GO OFF UNLESS I STOP IT WILL LIFT UP AN THEN GOES BACK DOWN.

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the suspension of the vehicle lowered intermittently. A message advising to stop the vehicle due to low air ride suspension was displayed. The contact stated that the air ride suspension would no longer rise upon starting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt was loosened. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle for State Inspection, she was informed that the air ride suspension system had failed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

CAR WAS AT A STOP AND BACK END OF CAR WENT DOWN, STOP CAR TOO LOW CAME ON THE DASHBOARD

SBC UNIT HAS A LIMIT THAT IS SHOWING A FAULT YET BRAKES SEEM FINE NOW MUST FIX AND ALL THAT IS AVAILABLE ARE REMANUFACTURED UNITS.

RED LIGHT CAME ON STATING THAT THE CAR WAS TOO LOW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SUSPENSION AIR BAGS FAILED ACTIVATE TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE MESSAGE "STOP CAR, PARK TOO LOW" REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TT

WE HAD JUST STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPACE AT A GRCCERY. AS WE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WERE WALKNG AWAY FROM IT WE HEARD A LOUD POP AS IF A TIRE HAD A BLOWN. WE LOOKED AROUND BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY LOW TIRE FROM LOSS OF AIR. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING MY WIFE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOWER THAN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL "STOP, CAR TOO LOW!" I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEE IF THE WHEEL/TIRE WOULD RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL AND IT DID NOT, SO WE DROVE HOME WHICH WAS ONLY ONE MILE. I PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. AFTER READING A NMBER OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, IT APPEARS THIS MALFUNCTION SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR A DEFICIENT PART OR ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW FOR THE MALFUNCTION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "SUSPENSION IS TOO LOW DO NOT DRIVE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE TO WORK THE RED SIGN CAME ON ( BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLES ) I STOPPED THE CAR AND AFTER 5 MINUTE STARTED IT AND IT WAS OK HALF WAY TO WORK RED SIGN CAME ON (BAKES LONGER STOPPING DIST START ENGINE ) AND ITS WAS DOING THAT ALL DAY THE NEXT DAY THE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR RED SIGN CAME ON (BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLE ) AND NEXT SIGN WAS (ESP MALFUNCTION VISIT WORK SHOP )CALLED MERCEDES DEALER AND TOWED THE CAR I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS( BRAKE PRESSURE PUMP MODULATOR AND AUX BATTERY ) I LOOKED UP ONLINE THERE WAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MODULATOR AND THEY IT WAS EXPIRE A MONTH AGO THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO 10%DISCOUNT I THINK IT IS NOT FAIR SINCE THE WAS SERVICED AT THE SAME DEALER FOR LAST TEN YEARS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FREE AND ITS BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND THE CAR SHIFTS TO SAFETY MOOD IS UN SAFE. *TR

ON MY WAY BACK FROM VIRGINIA, AFTER PARKING MY 2004 E500 BENZ CAR AT THE WELCOME CENTER IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, FOR A BREAK, A BIG POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE, BUT I SAW THE FRONT OF THE CAR LOW (ALMOST TOUCH THE GROUND) THE ONLY THING IS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT AS MUCH LOW AS THE DRIVER SIDE. THEN WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ENGINE, FROM THE CAR CONTROL PANEL, I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGE: "STOP, THE CAR IS TOO LOW TO DRIVE" AS A RESULT, I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME FOR NEARLY $500.00. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS AIR SUSPENSION ISSUE; AND EVERY TIME THAT HAPPENED, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE TWO PREVIOUS TIME THE ISSUE HAPPENED, THE CAR WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY; AND I DID NOT TO PAY ANY OUT OF POCKET MONEY TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED. NOW THAT THE CAR NO LONGER UNDER ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY, I KNOW IT'S GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED BY THE DEALER. BASED ON MANY REPORTS I HAVE READ FROM PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, I, AS THEY DO, STRONGLY BELIEVE MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. AS IT IS COMMONLY AGREED, THE CAR IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS CONSTANT HEADACHE THAT COMES WHEN IT WANTS TO WITH NO WARNING. LUCKILY FOR ME, DURING THE TIME OF THIS RECENT INCIDENT, MY CAR WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN. OTHERWISE, I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE CAR WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL AND THUS CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP TO GET THIS ISSUE ADDRESS BY MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR DIE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WARNING MESSAGE: [STOP, CAR TOO LOW] APPEARED IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE CHECKING ALL WHEELS. DISCOVERED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN FRONT RIGHT SIDE AND THE WHEEL ALMOST TOUCHING THE PLASTIC LINER UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. CHECKED FUSES. PRESSED "RAISE" AND ADS BUTTONS BUT IT DIDN'T REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE HYDROPNEUMATIC SHOCK ABSORBER. *TR

STARTED SMELLING FUEL HAD 1/2 TANK AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO I STOPPED TO FILL TANK. SMELL WAS SO STRONG AFTER TANK WAS FULL I COULDN'T BREATHE AND DIDN'T LEAVE STATION FOR OVER AN HOUR. I THOUGHT CAR MIGHT EXPLODE. I FINALLY FOUND ISSUE CAUSE ON A FORUM BAD FUEL SENDERS. I CANT BELIEVE MERCEDES TOLD ME ITS NOT COVERED UNDER EMISSION WARRANTY. IM THINKING OF SUING THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY IS NOT EXPIRED. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-5, AT APPROX. 65 MPH, DISPLAY SHOWED RED LETTERING "VEHICLE TOO LOW STOP CAR". MADE MY WAY OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD WHEN MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. PROCEEDED WITH TRIP. AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES, MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN CAR HANDLING OR PERFORMANCE FELT. MESSAGE AGAIN, DISAPPEARED. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL ARRIVAL AT HOME. THOUGHT FAULTY RELAY OR SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ONCE HOME, I GOT OUT OF CAR AND HEARD A SOUND AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM A BALLOON. NOTICED LEFT FRONT HAD DROPPED ALMOST ON TIRE. CAR NOT DRIVABLE. TOWED TO SHOP. BLADDER BURST. *TR

MY RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT WENT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND HAD OUR SON IN THE CAR. SHE WAS 120 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND STRANDED. SHE WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS AND THEY WANT 160.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND THEN WOULD PUT HER IN A LOANER. THE ESTIMATE WAS AROUND 1700.00 TO FIX 1 AIR STRUT. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SPEED SHE WAS TRAVELING AT. IM NOT SURE WHY MB HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE FAULTY PARTS. DEFINITELY WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WOULD COVER THIS. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, CAR JUST LOWERED OUT OF NO WHERE SPEED AUTOMATICALLY DECREASED, AND RED LIGHT CAME ON SAYING CAR TOO LOW STOP CAR, IT SCARED ME THAT IS SO DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE GOING AT A CERTAIN SPEED AND THEN IT DROPS OUT OF NO WHERE. THEN I HEAR AIR LEAKING FROM BACK BUT NOT OUT OF TIRE. *TR

THE CAR LOWERED TO AN UNACCEPTABLE POINT TO WHERE THE CAR IS A VERY ROUGH RIDE AND ANY BUMP IS HIT HARD. *TR

MY AIR SUSPENSION IS LOW ON THE CAR. WHEN I LEAVE THE CAR PARKED FOR A DAY OR SO AND COME BACK THE CAR SITS VERY LOW. WHEN I DRIVE IT GOES BACK UP BUT NOW THE CAR WON'T GO BACK UP IT JUST STAYS LOW. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS WHO HAVE MERCEDES BENZ WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY E CLASS HOME FROM WORK MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND DISPLAYED "VEHICLE LOW DON'T DRIVE". I WAS AT THE ENTRANCE WAY TO MY HOME AND PROCEEDED TO MY GARAGE. UPON GETTING OUT OF MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER WAS LOWERED DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE TIRE. I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIR MATIC STRUT ASSEMBLY; WHICH IS A COSTLY REPAIR. MY RIGHT SIDE WENT OUT AT 88,000 MILES. MERCEDES SHOULD ON UP TO THE FLAWS IN THIS SYSTEM AND FIND A CHEAPER FIX FOR THE VEHICLE OWNERS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES. *TR