2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT (BRAKE WORKING AT THIS TIME) ON TO A CITY STREET. THIS WAS A DIVIDED MULTIPLE LANE ROAD, WITH THE CAR TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR COULD NOT BE SLOWED OR STOPPED. AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS AHEAD, WITH MULTIPLE CARS IN FRONT. SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITIOM OF THE CAR TO SLOW IT DOWN. TOOK A TURN OFF AT THE INTERSECTION. THE CAR RAN OVER THE CURB AND CAME TO REST NEXT TO A GAS STATION.

2005 MERCEDES E500 WAGON HAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS COMPLETELY FILLED. THIS ODOR PERSISTS FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL HAS GONE DOWN. THIS HAS PERSISTED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE, MB HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART TO REPAIR IT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MB OF PLANO FOR REPAIR. ONCE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO REMOVE THE MUFFLER SYSTEM TO REMOVE THE FUEL TANK. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A MUFFLER BRACKET WAS RUSTED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS BRACKET IS ONLY AVAILABLE AS A PART OF THE COMPLETE MUFFLER AND WOULD COST ~$600 TO REPLACE AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE MUFFLER WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ANY OTHER REASON. THE DEALERSHIP APPEALED THE WARRANTY AND THAT WAS DENIED. I APPEALED TO THE MERCEDES EXECUTIVE REFERRAL TEAM AND THEY ALSO DENIED THE CLAIM DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. IF I AM NOT WILLING TO SPEND $600 TO REPLACE A PERFECTLY GOOD MUFFLER, THEN I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN THAT HAS A LIVE GASOLINE LEAK INSIDE THE CABIN BECAUSE MERCEDES BENZ WILL NOT REPLACE THE MUFFLER BRACKET. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH RALPH AT MERCEDES BENZ EXECUTIVE REFERRAL AS WELL AS THE MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO IT WAS CHARGED THEN RECONNECTED, EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO ON POSITION EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO START AND BANG! LOUD BANG AND WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE, ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER EXPLOSION, HOLE IN FRONT OF ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL: THE SRS LIGHT IN MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. IT JUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY REASON. MY CONCERN IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, WOULD THE AIR BAGS STILL WORK. I'M WONDERING IF THIS ISSUE COMES FROM THE MANUFACTURE BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD OF SOME OF THE BENZ FROM THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED INTO PARK AND COASTED WITH THE PARK PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND 'THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT POWER TO STOP' APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PENTATONIC BRAKE CONNECTION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

I WAS DRIVING AND MY BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH. I WAS ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AND HAD TO IMMEDIATELY GET TO EDGE OF ROAD AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND THE RESTART.. TOOK TO A AOTO SHOP. FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE SBC ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E250. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE COASTED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARLTON MOTORCARS INC. (2446 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 213-8000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED, WHICH WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL MERCEDES-BENZ PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS A RED BATTERY ON THE DASH BOARD, I WAS TOLD I NEED A FUEL PUMP, I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE A WARRANTY FOR THIS, BUT I WAS TOLD THE PAPER I HAVE EXPLAIN WHAT A WARRANTY IS, I CALLED MERCEDES HEADQUARTERS SEVERAL TIMES AND I WAS TOLD I KEEP CALLING ABOUT THE SAME THING ITS IN THE NOTES IT IS UP TO THE SERVICE MANAGER TO APPROVE THE WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CAR REPAIRS EVEN THO I HAD A WARRANTY. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD I NEED A BATTERY, MY CAR IN THE STREETS WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP MY GRANDBABY AND I WAS IN THE HEAT FOR OVER AN HOUR WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK, I ALSO TOOK MY CAR TO GOODYEAR AND THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER 2X AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE RED LIGHT WAS ON THEY BUT THOUGH I JUST NEED ANOTHER BATTERY

THE SBC BRAKING SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. DONG ROAD AT 35 MPH ONLY WAY TO AVOID RUNNING INTO SOMEONE OR CARS WAS TO DRIVE THIS INTO TREE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR ME. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WITH ALL THESE MODELS. THEIR NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESES MODELS BEFORE TO MANY PEOPLE DIE. THIS MODEL IS KNOW TO HAVE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ESPECIALLY ON THE MERCEDES FORUMS. SOMEONE CAN INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I CAN WAIT TO FIX TO MAKE SURE THIS CAN NEVER HAPPEN TO ANYONE AGAIN OR CAUSE A DEATH.

THEIR A STRONG SMELL OF GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR

GASOLINE SMELL INTERIOR OF THE CAR. GETS WORSE WITH FULL GAS TANK. WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE MERCEDES DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT FIXED.

WHEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, IN WET CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH+ ,THE ESP&ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP. WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF INTERSTATE AND HAD CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ABS BRAKE MODULE ESP CONTROL HAD TO BE REPLACED $1,100.00. SINCE HAVING THAT DONE THE CAR IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP BECAUSE NOW THE SBC MODULE NEEDS REPLACED, WHICH IS ANOTHER $1,600.00.

SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM.....FAIL EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM VENT CONTROL CIRCUIT.......FAIL

I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY ONTO A FRONTAGE ROAD (TRAVELLING ~45MPH). A WARNING MESSAGE SAID THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT HAD LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOW GEAR WHICH HELPED SLOW ME DOWN. I CAME TO A STOP IN A SAFE LOCATION, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I RE-STARTED THE CAR, NORMAL BRAKING FUNCTION RETURNED. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. A HYDRAULIC UNIT OF SOME SORT NEEDED REPLACING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ADVISORY BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER LANE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING COULD ONLY BE PERFORMED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY REPAIR FOR THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL FAILURE HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,386.

I WAS DRIVING 40MPH ON A CITY STREET, WHEN THE CAR DASH FLASHED IN RED, "BRAKE MALFUNCTION, SEE WORKSHOP SOON". A RED LIGHT WAS COMING UP, SO I WENT TO PRESS BRAKES & ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES! I SWERVED IN A CHURCH/SCHOOL PARKING LOT TO MY RIGHT SO I WOULDN'T GO FURTHER AHEAD & BE IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION. BECAUSE OF THE QUICK TURN, I HIT A TREE IN AN ISLAND, WHICH STOPPED THE CAR, BUT TOTALED MY CAR. I HAD MY CAR FOR 12 YRS & ALWAYS SERVICED IT & HAD IT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION & NO RECALL, ETC WAS EVER ON THIS CAR FOR THIS DEAL. MY HUSBAND LOOKED ON LINE AFTER & SAW OTHERS HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN, WITH SAME MAKE./MODEL & OLDER MILES.

WHEN I FILL THE TANK WITS GAS(NOT TOPPED OFF) WHEN I DRIVE IT HOM PARK IT IN GARAGE IT SMELL OF A STRONG GAS ORDER. AFRESH DRIVIBG A LITTLE ( TO USE GAS) IT GOES AWAY, HAPPENS EACH TIME I FILL.

WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS, GAS LEAKED OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE FUEL SENDER/FILTER IS LOCATED. THE FUEL WICKED UP THE FOAM WRAPPED AROUND THE SIGNAL/ POWER WIRES, CAME BETWEEN THE ACCESS PANEL SCREWED TO THE FLOOR AND THE FLOOR. THIS IS THE FLOOR DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE FUEL SOAKED INTO THE INSULATION BELOW THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND THE FOAM SEAT. THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL REACHES APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF A TANK.

CAR SHUT OFF RANDOMLY BY GOING SAFE MODE WHILE DRIVING, CONSTANT BREAK WARNING IN BRIGHT RED " BREAK VISIT WORKSHOP" I WENT TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND A CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT, PROBLEM TO BE DETERMINED, CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE USED CAR DEALER WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. THE CAR HAS HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, BOTH BATTERIES TWICE, ONE SHORT WAS FOUND IN FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN TRUCK BEING PINCHED. THE DEALER WOULD DENY SBC UNIT RECALL EVERY TIME I CALLED FLETCHER JONES, AND ONLY GAVE ME THE OPTION TO PAY THEM FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEN THEY WILL DETERMINE IF ITS FAULTY INSTEAD OF MY LIFE BEING RISKED AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME I FINALLY TRACKED DOWN THE NUMBER FOR CORPORATE AND I GOT CONFORMATION FROM MERCEDES CORPORATE SAY MY VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE LIST. THE CAR WOULD LEAVE ME WITHOUT BREAKS, POWER STEERING MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALWAYS WITHOUT NOTICE OCCURRING MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY. THE SBC UNIT WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY A SUPPOSED AUTHORIZED SHOP AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAD DRAINED THE BATTERIES YET AGAIN SO THE CAR WAS GARAGED AT MY PARENTS WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THAT LOCATION WHICH MAKES THIS WHOLE ORDEAL EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS DUE TO MERCEDES MAJOR LACK OF CONCERN WITH THIS AND THEY STILL WANT ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX IT BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN DECIDE TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT QUARTERLY REPORT PRINT OUTS AS WELL, OUT OF THE 100S OF 1000S DOCUMENTED TO POSSIBLE 2 MILLION TOTAL FAULTY CARS , MY CAR HAD ALMOST ALL OF DIFFERENT SAFETY ISSUES REPORTED. BOUGHT CAR @ 73K MI, CAUGHT FIRE, BLEW HOLE IN MANIFOLD @ 123K, JUST ISN'T RIGHT, SEEMS THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP TRUE AMOUNT OF FAULTY CARS IN US BY ASKING CONFIDENTIALITY BY NHTSA GRANTED BLACKED FILES ILLEGIBLE

WAS DRIVING IN MY 2005 E320 W211, LAST WEEK 500 AM IN THE MORNING SOUTHBOUND TOWARDS FREEWAY ABOUT 45 MPH HAD PERFECT BRAKES THEN RED WARNING ON DASH NO BRAKES HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WENT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT ROLLED TO A STOP!GOOD THING IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING.. 2ND COMPLAINT I CALLED MERCEDES DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR JUST GOT BRUSH OFF AS USUAL. WELL ANOTHER W211 WITH SBC PUMP FAILURE!HOW MANY DOES THIS MAKE! GOOD THING NOT DOING 80 ON FREEWAY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR!!!!!!! ANYWAY MY STARTECH MECHANIC WARNED ME ABOUT THIS WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER IN 2013 STILL UNDER EXTEDED GOODWILL WARRANTY THAT NOBODY KNEW ABOUT. I CALLED AND ASKED ABOUT RECALL, I WAS TOLD: "NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT MODEL CAR NO RECAL"L AND NOW!!!NEVER GOT A LETTER EXPLAINING THE BRAKES COULD GO OUT ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING OR PHONE CALL, ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE BRAKE PUMP DRIVING AROUND IN POTENTIAL DEATH MACHINE!!!! JUST REALLY DISSAPOINTED IN MY DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THEM AGAIN TELLING THEM SBC PUMP WENT NO GOODWILL GOODHEART CHANGE OF DEFECTIVE PUMP AND NOW COST ME 2000.00 TO FIX A DEFECTIVE SBC PUMP THAT SHOULD HAD BEEN CHANGED BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, OR CORRECTED ME WHEN I CALLED THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS A EXTENDED WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN THEN! VERY FRUSTRATED WITH MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR HOPE THIS BECOMES A NATIONAL RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS, MOST PEOPLE 2ND OWNERS ARE PROBABLY HAVE NO IDEA.

THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF RF BEING EMITTED INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE LEVEL IS SO HIGH IT PUSHES PULSED RF WAVES AGAINST AN ALUMINUM EMERGENCY BLANKET THAT WAS SET UP TO IDENTIFY WHICH DIRECTION IT WAS COMING FROM. THIS METHOD SHOWED IT IS COMING FROM MULTIPLE DIRECTION WITHIN THE CABIN. THIS IS WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND WINDOWS ROLLED UP. ALSO LF L LEAVE THE CAR AND COME BACK WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE THE CLIMATE INSIDE WILL KNOCK ME OUT, OR MAKE ME VERY SLEEPY. I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK 50 TO 70 FEET AWAY FROM IT TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING IF L CATCH IT IN TIME. MOST OF THE TIME L DO NOT AND SOMEONE IS USING THIS DEFECT TO STEAL ITEMS FROM THE CAR, DESTROY THE INTERIOR AD ALONG WITH A HOST OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WHILE L AM PASSED OUT INSIDE.BECAUSE THIS DANGEROUS ACTIVITY HAPPENS 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME THE RF MAY BE REMOTELY CONTROLLED. ALSO L HAVE ALMOST BEEN KNOCKED OUT WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THANKS TO JESUS CHRIST L WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND RECOVER. IN ADDITION THE RF WILL ISOLATE AND FREEZE DIFFERENT BODY PARTS INDIVIDUALLY SIMILAR TO THE THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE OF COOL SCULPTING. MULTIPLE POLICE REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED. THE CAR MARKER WAS NOTIFIED BY PHONE BUT REFUSE TO HELP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES FOR THE OCCUPANTS. MERCEDES-BENZ IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

I GOT A MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD TO VISIT CAR SHOP FOR BRAKES. THINKING THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES, I DROVE IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS ( I HARDLY DRIVE) AND TOOK IT IN. ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC PUMP THAT WENT OUT AND COULD LEAVE ME WITHOUT ANY BRAKES AT ANY SECOND!! I HAD TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR 4 DAYS AND PAID 1544.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TT *TR

SQUEAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500W, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPC UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

BRAKE FAILURE. TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO WARNING LIGHT EXCEPT AFTER FAILURE! ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #2005110001" BRAKE POWER MAY BE REDUCED". BRAKE POWER WASN'T REDUCED, THERE WAS ZERO- HAD TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. COULD'VE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. PER SAFETY CAMPAIGN RECORDS, MY VEHICLE IS MARKED AS "COMPLETED" . I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THE CAR AND IT'S NOT BEEN COMPLETED. CONTACT MB DEALERSHIP WHO OFFERED TO FIX THIS RECALLED ITEM FOR ME AT A 10% DISCOUNT. CONTACTED MB CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I CANNOT GET A RESOLUTION.

MERCEDES E500 2005 126,000 MILES WHILE TRAVELLING 40MPH ON CITY STREETS THE CAR FLASHED A RED WARNING MESSAGE INDICATING "REDUCED BRAKING POWER DEPRESS BRAKE PRDAL FULLY". THIS IS IN RELATION TO THE SBC BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE RESORTS TO A EMERGENCY HYDRAULIC EMERGENCY BRAKE BACK UP THAT MERCEDES CLAIMS ALLOWS FOR ADEQUATE BRAKING STOPPING DISTANCE. I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT THE AFOREMENTIONED STATEMENT IS NOT TRUE AS I HAD TO SWERVE ON TO A SIDEWALK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY IS NOT SUFFICE AND THE SYSTEM LOSES 90% BRAKING POWER WITH ONLY THE FRONT AXEL BRAKES AS OPERABLE. THE CONDITION AND CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED HEREIN ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FMCSA IN REGARDS TO BRAKES BEING OPERABLE AT ALL TIMES AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS. THE RED WARNING MESSAGE CLEARED UPON THE NEXT TIME THE ENGINE WAS ENGAGED WHICH IS ALSO OF NOTE. MERCEDES SHOULD BE ADVISED TO CONSIDER RECALLING CARS EQUIPPED WITH SBC AS IT IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD.

MERCEDES BENZ PLACED FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEMS INCLUDING A DEFECTIVE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT ON ALL OF THEIR MERCEDES BENZ E500 MODEL VEHICLES. MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE PARTY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO OCCUPANTS AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. MERCEDES BENZ FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTEAD EXTENDED THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, MERCEDES NEVER NOTIFIED ANY OWNERS OF THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, THEREFORE, NEVER ACTUALLY FIXED OR REPLACED THIS DEFECTIVE PART. OWNER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECT, WERE NOT NOTIFIED OR CONTACTED AND RECEIVED ABSOLUTELY NO COMMUNICATION FROM MERCEDES OR ITS DEALERSHIPS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. YOU ONLY LEARN OF THE DEFECT ONCE IT FAILS! UPON FAILURE, MERCEDES IS NOW REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OF WHICH THEY, THEIR COMPANY, DEALERSHIPS AND FRANCHISES, AND CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOPS HAVE ADMITTED TO HAVE KNOWINGLY SOLD CARS WITH THIS DEFECT AND HAVE ALL FAILED TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS AND/OR DISCLOSURES OF ANY KIND TO ITS CUSTOMERS. I HAVE PERSONALLY CONTACTED MERCEDES ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND AM LOOKING TO PURSUING LEGAL AND CIVIL ACTION AGAINST THEM FOR CIRCUMVENTING THE FEDERAL SAFETY RECALL LAWS TO THE DETRIMENT OF ITS CONSUMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. MERCEDES IS IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW AND CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES SHOULD ENSUE. MYSELF AND OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED CONSUMERS SHOULD BE MADE WHOLE AND MERCEDES SHOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THIS REPAIR. MY VEHICLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSINESS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY-HIGHWAY 75 SOUTH IN ATLANTA, GA. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND BEGAN TO ABRUPTLY COME TO A STOP WITH WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING AND CAR DISABLED ITSELF. ONCE DISABLED IN THE ROAD, THE GEARS WOULD NOT MOVE AND CAR COULD NOT BE PUT BACK INTO MOTION. THE CONSUMER DECLINED THE "GOODWILL" OFFER STATING IT DOES NOT EXHIBIT GOODWILL. *JS

REAR END GOES DOWN WHEN THE CAR IN PARKED. "STOP" MESSAGE (RED) APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. DO NOT DRIVE CAR AND TAKE TO MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I START CAR AFTER 15 TO 20 MIN MESSAGE GOES AWAY AND CAR AGAIN COMES TO NORMAL POSITION. ITS HAPPENING ALMOST EVERYDAY FROM LAST FEW DAYS. IN FORUM I READ IT IS COMMON ISSUE WITH E SERIES OF 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. MY CAR ONLY HAS 120K MILES. LEARNED THAT THERE IS LEAK IN AIR SPRINGS AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I HAD SAME ISSUE 6 YEARS BACK ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I WAS DRIVING. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SAT DOWN COMPLETELY AND RIM STARTED HITTING TIRE. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65K/HRS. I HAD TO CALL MERCEDES AND THEY ASKED ME NOT TO DRIVE AND THEY TOWED THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK 2 DAYS TO GET CAR FIXED AND COST ME $2000.

IN 2015 WE STARTED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FOLLOWING FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS SO STRONG THAT WE HAD TO OPEN OUR GARAGE DOORS TO VENT THE FUMES. NO GASOLINE WAS SPILLED DURING REFUELING. THERE IS NO VISIBLE GAS LEAK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 WITH ONLY 44,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM WE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL MERCEDES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES HAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FUEL FUME DEFECT AND ANY REPAIR IS NOT WITHIN THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD. NHTSA ACTION #EA13003 SUMMARY TEST & ANALYSIS BY MERCEDES-BENZ SHOWS NO RISKS OF FIRE OR PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS IS BS AS FUEL FUMES WITHIN AN ENCLOSED AREA, SUCH AS A GARAGE WHERE A NATURAL GAS HOT WATER TANK EXISTS, COULD CAUSE A FIRE. NHTSA NEEDS TO REQUIRE MERCEDES-BENZ TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY. UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MARIETTA (810 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060 (770) 783-5171), BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305 (800) 399-3804) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWAITING A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

WHILE DRIVING 2 DAYS AGO (2005 E320) I SUDDENLY GOT A BRAKE WARNING, BRIGHT RED "STOP" 'REDUCED BRAKING POWER DEPRESS BRAKE FULLY' AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE OR NO STOPPING ACTION, IT WAS VERY SCARY. I WAS ONLY GOING WITH 15-20MPH BUT THERE WAS A RED LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I COULDN'T STOP IN TIME AND HAD TO HIT THE BARRIER TO STOP THE CAR. LUCKILY NO ONE IS INJURED, BUT MY CAR WAS A SERIOUS THREAT TO ME AND OTHERS. I CONTACTED THE MB SERVICE AND IT IS RELATED WITH SBC UNIT AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WANT $2700 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I THINK MB NEEDS TO REALIZE THIS ISN'T LIKE THE GLYCOL CONTAMINATION OR SOMETHING NOT THAT SERIOUS, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE ACTUAL BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE CAR!!! VERY SCARY AND IMAGINE THOSE PEOPLE DRIVING THESE 03-06 E'S, OR 06'S CLS, OR SL'S THAT DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CHANCES OF THE SYSTEM FAILING AND WHAT TO DO.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM (SBC) FAILED AND THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT IF YOU APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE DURING A FAILURE, THERE WILL BE SOME BRAKING POWER AVAILABLE. IN THE SITUATION THOUGH, WHEN THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, HUMAN INSTINCT IS TO IMMEDIATELY FIND AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. MERCEDES BENZ USA IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR ALL SBC ELECTRIC PUMPS TO FAIL AT ANY TIME CAUSING THIS SAME SITUATION FOR ANYONE. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COVER THE DEFECTIVE PART BECAUSE I AM ONE YEAR BEYOND THE 'EXTENDED WARRANTY.' THEY CLAIM THAT AS WITH ANY CAR PARTS, THE SBC SYSTEM CAN BE EXPECTED TO FAIL AT SOME POINT. ANYTHING BEYOND 10 YEARS AND THEY DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. NORMALLY I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT SENTIMENT, BUT NOT WHEN IT CONCERNS THE PRIMARY ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE A SUFFICIENT AND NOTICEABLE HYDRAULIC BACK UP IF THIS PART IS ENGINEERED TO FAIL. MERCEDES HAS RECENTLY EXTENDED ALL FUEL TANK RELATED ISSUES AND COMPONENTS TO 15 YEAR COVERAGE, AND THIS WOULD AT LEAST BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE SBC SYSTEM. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ USA AND THE NHTSA SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SBC TO BE INSPECTED YEARLY AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DEATHS OR INJURIES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM - AS THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE ALL ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD AT THIS POINT. IT IS A VALID CONCERN FOR BOTH ME AS A DRIVER OF AN AFFECTED VEHICLE, AND A CONCERN FOR FELLOW MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD.

AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT/INFLATION IMPACT INJURES PASSENGER, CAUSING LESION AND BURN. AT A SCHOOL OP SIGN INTERSECTION, MY VEHICAL WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE (T-BONE), BETWEEN THE FENDER AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE LEFT WAS DEPLOYED, THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SEVERELY INJURED MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.

RED COLORED MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD WINDOW READOUT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS CAP. THE MESSAGE APPEARS INTER MITENALY WHILE DRIVING ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE MESSAGE. MESSAGE CAME ON 7/717 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CONTINUES EXCEPT WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN.

8/4/16 VEHICLE HAD STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AFTER FILLUP. WENT AWAY AFTER HALF FULL. NOTICED RECALL IN ONLINE DOC'S AND TOOK TO MERCEDES OF SAN DIEGO WHERE TANK MOD, CABLE HARNESS, BRACKET, SEAL RINGX2, INSULATION UNDER SEAT WERE REPLACED NO CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. 6/20/17 VEHICLE QUIT WHEN APPROACHING RESIDENCE. THEN WOULDN'T START BUT CRANKED. SAME SYMPTOMS NEXT DAY. TOWED TO MB SAN DIEGO DIAGNOSED FUEL PUMP COMPONENTS FAILED $1,000 W/NO OFFER TO COVER UNDER RECALL. I FURTHER REVIEWED SAME INTERNET DOC'S WHICH SHOW FUEL PUMPS, FILTERS, FUEL LEVEL SENDERS ARE COVERED UNDER MB 15 YR. UNLTD MILES WARRANTY. WILL CALL SERVICE WRITER IN MORNING TO ADVISE THEY SHOULD COVER REPAIRS, TOW PLUS RENTAL CAR WHILE I WAS RESEARCHNG.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING CHIME WAS AUDIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING CHIME CONTINUED UNTIL THE SEAT BELT WAS SECURED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF FLORENCE (2199 DAVID H MCLEOD BLVD, FLORENCE, SC 29501, (843) 410-5188) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT DECLINED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

PURCHASE THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY 2017 SMELLS LIKE GAS IS SEEPING OUT FROM SOMEWHERE. STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING CAR AND AIRBAG SUSPENSION LIGHT IS ON.

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SBC - SENSOTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM. ROLLING AT CITY SPEED LIMIT, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO ADVANCED WARNING CAUSING ME TO USE THE TRANSMISSION AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH A MERCEDES BENZ WHO DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT IN TERMS OF REPAIR COST

HEADLIGHT AND ENGINE WIRING DETERIORATING BEYOND REPAIR! DANGEROUS AND MAY CAUSE SUDDEN CRASH OR FIRE.,.

THE CAR IS BEING HACKED INTO BY MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS ACROSS TRIPLE CITIES. THE HACKERS ARE ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS, SHIFT GEARS, TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CONTROL THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER, OPEN THE HOOD TO STEAL OIL AND CONTROL THE COMPLETE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR. INCLUDING TURNING ON THE CABIN LIGHTS, BLACKING OUT THE ODOMETER ALONG WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF WHEN DESIRED THIS INCLUDES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. BECAUSE THEY CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOOD AND GAS DOOR. THIS ALLOWED THEM TO BREAK THE RADIATOR, DAMAGE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND STEAL GAS. ALSO SINCE THE HACKERS HAVE ACCESS THEY HAVE DESTROYED THE DRIVERS SEAT, CRACK THE WOOD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DOOR TRIM, REMOVED THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT DOORS, AND DESTROYED THE CENTER ARM REST. THE RF FIELD IS CONTROLLED BY THEM, AND LOUD CRACKING SOUNDS ARE REMOTELY INTRODUCED WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND KEY REMOVED. THE TELE- AID IS ALSO ACTIVITIES REMOTELY ON OCCASION AS WELL. THE FBI HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL ALONG WITH THE CAR MAKER WHO TOLD ME NOT TO CONTACT THEM AGAIN. THREE DEALERSHIPS CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND NONE KNEW HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. MERCEDES BENZ IN GERMANY WAS NOTIFIED BY EMAI AND SAID MERCEDES USA HAS MY INFORMATION I'M THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THIS WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO WITH NO CONTACT FROM THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO REACH THEM BY PHONE VIA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS FAILED. MULTIPLE POLICE REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH SEVERAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE STATUTE TO RECEIVE AN EXTENDED SERVICE CAMPAIGN EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING FUEL - STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I SEE THAT MANY OTHER W211 STYLE MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT INTO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THE SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING AND THIS HAS BEEN AN GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL THIS FOR SAFETY REASONS AND DO THE RIGHT THING. PLEASE ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE PILE OF COMPLAINTS ALREADY RECEIVED BY YOUR AGENCY.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE BRAKE FAILURE SING COME WITH RED LIGHT TOTAKE TO DEALER.TRY TO STOP THE CAR BUT, NOT BRAKING. LUCKILY NO INCEDENT. IT HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT HAS ONLY 122,000 MILES. IT CAN TAKE MY LIFE AWAY. IT OBVIOUSLY THE COMPANY'S DEFECT.SPEND ENOUGH MONEY AFTER MAINTANANCE. DEALERS ARE DAY TIME ROBBERS.COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PART WITHOUT COST TO LOYAL CUSTOMERS.THERE ARE OTHER LUXURY VEHICLES AVAILABLE WITH COMPATATIVE PRICE.

THE CAR HAS FUEL (GASOLINE) VAPORS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT OR THE FUEL PUMP IN THE SADDLE GAS TANK UNDER THE BACK SEATS LEAKS GASOLINE AND THE SMELL MAKES ME SICK. I AM AFRAID THE CAR WILL EXPLODE IF THE VAPOR IS PRESENT AT THE COMBUSTIBLE RATIO OF GASOLINE TO AIR.

WHEN FILLING UP THE GAS TANK I SELL GAS AND ODOR FILLS UP THE GARAGE. THE SMELL USUALLY GOES AWAYS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND GAS TANK IS NOT FULL. THIS WEEK I FILLED THE GAS THE TANK UP AND GAS WAS LEAKING AND COULD NOT PARK IT IN THE GARAGE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320CDI. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

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. 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 FOR FREE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WE ARE TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES WILL GO INTO FAILURE MODE. MERCEDES EXTENDED THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR 10YRS WHICH HAS EXPIRED. EVEN UNDER THAT WARRANTY PERIOD MERCEDES ONLY REPLACED SBC UNITS THAT HAD FAILED. THE MAIN ISSUE IS WHEN THE SBC UNIT FAILS YOU HAVE NO BRAKES; AND REPLACING THE SBC DOES NOT SOLVE THIS BECAUSE THE SBC WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.