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.
2003 Mercedes Benz E Class: brake failure
6 of the 45 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class describe brake failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- recalls
- 2
Brake failure by model year
- 20061
- 20041
- 20036
- 19971
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
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
Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brake failure
Is brake failure a common problem on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class?
6 of 45 owner complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class (13%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class?
There are 2 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E Class
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