Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
04V296000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.from 10/01/2001 to 05/31/2004V (Vehicle)14338710/21/2004MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.06/22/200406/25/2004
Defect SummaryOn certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. if an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the hydraulic function mode.
Consequence SummaryIf vehicles are not routinely serviced and have extremely high mileage combined with a high number of brake actuations, or a high brake actuation frequency, the pump motor of the sbc may run out of permissible tolerances, thereby triggering the hydraulic function mode.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. the recall began on october 21m 2004. owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
NotesMercedes-benz recall no. 2004 050014.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
05V133000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.from 08/01/2001 to 03/31/2005V (Vehicle)20400008/08/2005MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.04/01/200504/05/2005
Defect SummaryOn certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
Consequence SummaryIn the hydraulic back-up mode, the driver has braking power sufficient to stop the vehicle, although greater brake pedal pressure is required and the brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all vehicles free of charge. additionally dealers will inspect and replace the sbc pump unit in sl vehicles produced during a limited production period. the recall began on august 8, 2005. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
NotesMercedes-benz recall no. 2005070007 and 2005110001. customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SB-09093006/05/200910030964Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. the sbc hydraulic unit extended limited warranty12/29/2009
42465803/02/200510014573Activation of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system with das software 02/05. mercedes-benz models 199, 211, 219, 230 my 2003-2006. *tt05/04/2005
01010510011739Voluntary recall campaign sensotronic brake control system. *jb01/31/2005
42464306/24/200410008442Squeaking noise when gently applying brake. model 211 my2005 also included. *tt07/30/2004
424646B08/08/2005424646C10008444Sensotronic brake control (sbc) bleeding procedure. various including my2005 m-benz e-class and sl-class included. *tt this bulletin supersedes pb42.46/46 dated june 24, 2004. all models. *tt07/30/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SB-09093006/05/200910030964Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. the sbc hydraulic unit extended limited warranty12/29/2009

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
11/06/2002209/17/2002
 The 2003 mercedes benz e320 has a faulty gateway module and software. this module has resulted in problems being reported in my car that the brakes, self restraint system, telephone system, and tire pressure have failed. i have no way of knowing if the the safty systems are operational or not. at this point i am driving a car that says my srs system is not working. i have been in the mercedes shop no less than 4 times to have the problem repaired. it simply re-occurs after each repair. from research on the internet, this appears to be a common problem.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
12/01/200310490103/01/2003
 Defective 2003 mercedes benz model e320. consumer is seeking reimbursement from mercedes benz. **cc
11/20/200630001112/29/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated two recall letters were received regarding the brakes, #05v133000 and #04v296000. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection and it was determined the repair work did not need to be completed. the contact then alerted the manufacturer that the work was not done, and the manufacturer determined it was at the dealerships discretion as to whether or not the work needed to be performed.
09/11/2004208/28/2003
 I was involved in a rear-end collision in 9-04 where my 2003 mercedes (mb) was unable to stop in time. my car was not able to stop in time even though it was traveling only about 20 mph and that i applied quick, maximum pressure to the brakes. there was one other close-call a few weeks prior to the accident. when i called the mercedes customer service 800 # and the mercedes dealer, both of them denied that there were any reports or recalls of brake failure. therefore i was deemed to be at fault for the accident at that time. when i took my mb for routine service in 2-05, the tech indicated that there was a brake recall and proceeded to make the repair. now in 2-06, i received yet another brake recall (campaign # 2005-110001). one statement in the recall was the brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer which could lead to a vehicle crash. my previous attempts at contacting mb resulted in their repeated denial that they were at fault for the brake failure and the accident. with the evidence presented and the repeated nature of the brake recalls, i feel that they are responsible and should reimburse myself and others like me for the increases in the insurance premium as well as the insurance deductible. it is a small price to pay for the integrity of a renowned car company. *jb
10/28/2004110/26/2002
 I own a mercedes e 500 ,year 2004.i found out about the recall for the brake problem after i almost kill myself when the brake system failed yesterday. the mercedes failed to inform the consumer esp. this kind of defect. i found out that this recall was since may and had to experience myself before receiving the recall letter. this is not a good bussiness practice and in fact a negligence on the part of the company. this can cause my life and may others who own the same model of car in whom i know a few and they have not received any recall letter.
03/03/20048945108/04/2003
 Total brake failure. mercedes benz 2003 e500.....i had just started the car, put it into drive and within 20 feet, i received a warning display to stop vehicle, brakes inoperative. i was able to stop car with parking brake. this car's braking system is a brake by wire type. *jb
03/14/20031440111/24/2002
 Defective brakes. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
12/15/20043905308/31/2003
 Intermittently when lifting foot off the brake pedal and commence to depress the brake pedal again it causes a lack of braking. vehicle had been to the dealer, who informed the consumer that they could not locate a problem. *ak
08/13/200441900103/10/2003
 100% brake failure/lost i left my office at 02:30 am. 3.5 miles from home, as i'm driving up hill approximate speed of 55 miles per hr temp. of 75 degrees dry road conditions. i approach one of the intersections as i press on the brake there is 100% brake failure the pedal feels normal not hard not soft normal, the warning system activates a red lettering display on the instrument panel stop! vehicle brake (something) i cant remember the instructions other than stop vehicle but i could not stop at all. i proceeded to downshift and flickering my hi/low beams to make the red light turn green with success it turns green as i reached the intersection, since my car was going uphill it made it easier to come to a stop. there is no physical consequence, probably due to the hr. of the day it was but it makes me think about what if i was on my way down to work @ 8:00 am. i could have killed my self my 3 kids or someone elses family or yours for that matter. my vehicle is at the dealers now the last report from the asst. manager is that the there was an engineer being sent from mercedes benz to inspect vehicle. *jb
07/18/2004142301
 New brakes were installed on vehicle , and they failed while it was going about 70 mph. vehicle slowed down, but the brakes did not grab completely, even when the vehicle was going about 10 mph. consumer contacted the manufacturer and informed them of the problem. however, they would do nothing about it. *ak see voq 10083022, 10086185. *dsy
08/27/20033
 Mercedes benz e class and sl class 2003 2004 models with electro-hydraulic brake systems are experiencing brake failures, sometimes within 1000 miles of purchase. electrical failures can leave the vehicle with no rear brakes and limited use of the front brakes! some of the brake lines are rubber and attached with hose clamps! i have worked on cars for fifteen years and had not seen a brake failure, but have now seen three in the last three months. when these vehicles age, complete brake failures may be possible.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
08/02/2004108/01/2003
 Please see previously filed report #10083022. on monday, august 2, 2004, the brake failure described in the above-mentioned report occurred again. the failure occurred while stopped at a traffic light. i had my foot on the brake, holding the car at the stop. it felt like the car had been tapped from behind, but there was no vehicle behind me. the dash warning came on again showing the same two malfunctions previously listed and the warning beep sounded. this time there was some brake action remaining in the pedal. the car began to idle very roughly, but because there were some brakes left, i drove the car four blocks home. the dealer is picking the car up...again. see voq 10033232 also. *dsy. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
07/18/200414180308/01/2003
 1- vehicle (2003 mercedes-benz e55) was traveling at 65-70 mph on garden state parkway (nj). i was approaching exit 109 when a car entering from the right decided to cross three lanes of traffic, cutting me off. *ak 10086185 2- when i took my foot off the gas quickly, the dash lit up red, a warning beep came on and a malfunction message told me brake malfunction-stop vehicle (a bit ironic, huh?). the brake pedal was soft to the floor. i downshifted two gears and tried pumping the brake pedal, but finally had to stop the car by downshifting the transmission again and applying the parking brake. i pulled the car onto the shoulder. the dash showed two malfunctions, brakes and esp (traction control), and the warning beep continued until i removed the key. i restarted the vehicle several times as instructed by the instrument panel, until finally the dash advised no malfunctions, and the pedal regained its normal feel, at which point i drove slowly home. about 1/4 mile from my house the failure repeated itself. i pulled into a parking lot and tried to slow the car from a walking pace using only the brake pedal. with both feet on the pedal and considerable force applied, the brakes could barely stop the car from even that speed. i stopped the car again using the parking brake and repeated the turn it on/turn it off sequence until getting the no malfunction screen again and drove the rest of the way home. upon entering my driveway, i got the failure message again, slowed the car in the same manner as before and parked it. 3- the dealer picked up the car on a flatbed and brought it in for service. i also contacted the nhtsa prior to allowing the car to be towed away in case any investigation needed to be performed. ultimately, the abs/esp cpu was replaced under warranty and the car was returned on july 27, 2004. copies of the repair order have been faxed to scott yon at nhtsa for review. the car has performed properly since the repair.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
08/27/20033
 Mercedes benz e class and sl class 2003 2004 models with electro-hydraulic brake systems are experiencing brake failures, sometimes within 1000 miles of purchase. electrical failures can leave the vehicle with no rear brakes and limited use of the front brakes! some of the brake lines are rubber and attached with hose clamps! i have worked on cars for fifteen years and had not seen a brake failure, but have now seen three in the last three months. when these vehicles age, complete brake failures may be possible.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - HYDRAULIC
09/11/2004208/28/2003
 I was involved in a rear-end collision in 9-04 where my 2003 mercedes (mb) was unable to stop in time. my car was not able to stop in time even though it was traveling only about 20 mph and that i applied quick, maximum pressure to the brakes. there was one other close-call a few weeks prior to the accident. when i called the mercedes customer service 800 # and the mercedes dealer, both of them denied that there were any reports or recalls of brake failure. therefore i was deemed to be at fault for the accident at that time. when i took my mb for routine service in 2-05, the tech indicated that there was a brake recall and proceeded to make the repair. now in 2-06, i received yet another brake recall (campaign # 2005-110001). one statement in the recall was the brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer which could lead to a vehicle crash. my previous attempts at contacting mb resulted in their repeated denial that they were at fault for the brake failure and the accident. with the evidence presented and the repeated nature of the brake recalls, i feel that they are responsible and should reimburse myself and others like me for the increases in the insurance premium as well as the insurance deductible. it is a small price to pay for the integrity of a renowned car company. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
11/17/2004180001
 After receiving nhtsa recall 04v296000 made contact with the dealer. consumer was told that vehicle could not be serviced until january 2005.*ak