2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brakes

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN TRAFFIC AND IN THE LEFTMOST LANE. A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE CAR'S DASHBOARD THAT ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPABILITY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DETERMINE HOW DIMINISHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS AS I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IN TRAFFIC. UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT BRAKE OR SLOW DOWN, I HAD NO BRAKES. AT THAT TIME A SECOND AND DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD WITH A STOP SIGN IKON; THE WARNING STATED: STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE (OR SOMETHING JUST AS DIRE AND TO THAT EFFECT). I MANAGED TO NAVIGATE ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC, WITHOUT BRAKING, AND CONTINUED ON THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT BRAKES AND IN A COASTING MANNER, WHILE NOT APPLYING ADDITIONAL POWER TO THE CAR UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP I ENCOUNTERED A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, WHICH WAS RED TO MY TRAFFIC LANE, AND BEING UNABLE TO STOP I TRAVELED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. I CONTINUED ALONG A HEAVILY-TRAVELED ROAD UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO ENTER A SIDE STREET AND BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AND CALLED THE COLORADO AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION FOR A TOW OF THE CAR AS IT WAS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR AS IT WAS, WAS A DANGER TO ME, TO OTHER MOTORISTS, VEHICLES, PEDESTRIANS AND PROPERTY. IN PURSUING A REMEDY FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE I ENCOUNTERED I LEARNED FROM A MERCEDES BENZ LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THE FAILURE I ENCOUNTERED WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS IN THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT. ADDITIONALLY, I LEARNED FROM THAT THIS DEFECT WITH THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT WAS KNOWN TO MERCEDES BENZ, YET MERCEDES BENZ DID NOT ADVISE ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS LIFE-THREATENING, CATASTROPHIC CONDITION WITH ITS CARS. I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR WITH A KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR UPDATED 09/30/2014 *JS

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

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SBC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

WENT TO START THE CAR AND AT FIRST THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN OVER I HAD TO KEEP TAKING PUT AND INSERTING IT AT A DIFFERENT SIDE IT EVENTUALLY STARTED. SOON AS IT TURNED OVER THE BRAKE LIGHT ESP AND ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THE CAR IS STUCK IN PARK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE VISIT WORKSHOP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKING SYSTEM HESITATED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED NUMEROUS TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP UNIT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,714.

RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH FLASHING WARNING DRIVER " REDUCED BRAKING EFFECT VISIT WORKSHOP" AND " INCREASE BRAKING DISTANCE VISIT WORKSHOP:. AFTER RESEARCH THIS WARNING IS DISPLAYED BECAUSE THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND REVERTED TO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS TAKEN EFFECT AS BACKUP. THIS CONDITION WAS SUBJECT TO NHSTB RECALL #'S 2004050014 AND 2005110001. I CONTACTED MERCEDES USA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS REFUSED HELP. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A CASE MANAGER WHO STATED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY MERCEDES AND THAT THEY HAD NO FURTHER OBLIGATION TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE STUDIED MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETINS AND BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION THE VEHICLES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS HAVE NOTES WITHIN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THAT "PLEASE NOTE THAT RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS DO NOT EXPIRE AND MAY BE PERFORMED ON A VEHICLE WITH A VEHICLE STATUS INDICATOR" IT IS FURTHER STATED IN MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THE "SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT PUMP MOTOR MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC BACK UP FUNCTION MODE. FURTHER, "GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH". TO THIS DAY MERCEDES ENGINEERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITH SOFTWARE FIXES WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF ANOTHER MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN. THE REFUSAL OF MERCEDES TO REPAIR AN OBVIOUS HAZARDOUS CONDITION OF A COMPONENT THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED IN UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE VEHICLE POSES A THREAT TO NOT ONLY THE OPERATOR BUT OTHERS IF OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE NOT ALLOWED MY WIFE TO OPERATE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

TODAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, A RED BRAKE FAILURE WARNING...FLASHES ACROSS THE SCREEN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP!!! I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED AND THANKFULLY ON A LEVEL SECTION OF ROAD. THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST FLOPPED..NOTHING.. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PARK AND GET OUT WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING!!! THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ( SEE NHTSA #05V-133 ) HOWEVER MERCEDES BENZ IS LIMITING IT TO 10 YEARS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE BRAKES CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CUTOFF DATE. MB REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS WITH VEHICLES OUTSIDE THE TEN YEAR PERIOD EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE AWARE IT IS STILL A PROBLEM. *TR