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 federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency for review. The car has performed properly since the repair.
2003 Mercedes Benz E Class brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 16 of 16, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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.
Defective brakes.
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.
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