I started smelling gas in the car cabin. There was gas on my driveway as well. The gas sign started to flash on my dash and the check engine light came on. Went to the dealership and they said there was a major leak in the purge system. They quoted me $3066.88. They should take responsibility and not pass it on to me.
2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brakes problems
16 complaints (36% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 14,230. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 36%
- typical mileage
- 14,230
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
- Power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Power assist: hydraulic1
- Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Antilock: control unit/module1
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercedes Benz E Class brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- On 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.
- Risk
- In 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
Recall number 05V133000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- On 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.
- Risk
- If 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
Recall number 04V296000 · Recall details
What 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The warning light of brakes failure came on at highway exit at 65mph and the brake paddle hit the floor with no brakes. Pulled over and took the car to the dealer in mid march and was told by the dealer that this is the sbc pump that failed which would have been covered by mercedes benz under service bulletin no.: 484656 but the warranty expired on 02/28/13 and since I was 15 days over this will not be covered. Contacted mercedes benz of na and asked them that I bought the car used and was not told by anyone about this tsb and they should cover the repairs since the pump actually failed when the car still under extended 10 year warranty (service bulletin no.: 484656 ). They flatly refused. I than asked that if this was a known issue that the brakes could fail completely than its mercedes duty to tell the owners even if they buy used, the person just kept quiet. People can actually get hurt or die when this failure happens. At the end I was charged $2309 for something that was a known issue by mercedes.
Defective 2003 mercedes benz model e320. Consumer is seeking reimbursement from mercedes benz. *
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.
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.
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.
After receiving the federal safety agency recall 04v296000 made contact with the dealer. Consumer was told that vehicle could not be serviced until january 2005.
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.
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.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brakes
Does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class, 36% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 14,230 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 05V133000, 04V296000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class problems
Fuel system 11Electrical 9Acceleration 4Engine 4Suspension 3Transmission 3Airbags 2Lights 2Tires 2Visibility 2Seat belts 1Steering 1
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