2004 Mercedes Benz E320: brake failure

Filed Aug 10, 2022 · Brakes · AR

Total brake failure Had to cross the over to the other side of the road to turn around. Was almost hit by an oncoming big rig truck . I've looked it up and this is a common occurrence on these vehicles,! They have a SBC unit that has caused numerous incidents exactly like mine . Someone could easily be killed because of this defect. I've read that they extended the warranty for 25 years . But I haven't been notified. They notified me about a recall of the sun roof but not this!!

Filed Jan 4, 2021 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · PA

On 12/16/2020 while driving the brakes on my vehicle failed. A red warning triangle appeared on the vehicle message board stating the cars braking ability was severely reduced and to stop driving immediately. I was able to drift to the side of the road without incident and had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. The mechanic could find no mechanical reason for the brake failure. The red warning light was gone and the brakes were functioning normally. Online research revealed an extended warranty/recall for the year, make and model of the car related to brake failure. Mercedes will replace the sensortronic brake control module (sbc) free provided the correct codes are evident when they diagnose the car.(safety recall #2005110001 I believe) my mechanic said that there are no codes showing for the brakes and the brakes are now functioning. My online research has shown that this can be an intermittent problem and the dealerships are reluctant or will not replace the sbc if there are no codes. After contacting mercedes the car is being towed to the dealership as I type this. I am hopeful that mercedes will do the correct thing and replace their admittedly flawed brake module but it isn't looking good as they said if the correct codes do not appear they will not replace. The insane idea that I am expected to continue to drive the vehicle until the brakes fail again in order to get them replaced is unacceptable. I'm in a no win situation.

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Brakes · 106,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that a blue light illuminated, which meant that the brakes needed to be serviced. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the brakes were serviced. A few months later, while traveling 30 MPH, the brakes failed without warning. The contact continuously pumped the brake pedal until the vehicle stopped. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a sbc hydraulic pump failure. The contact took the vehicle to mercedes-benz of beverly hills (9250 beverly blvd, beverly hills, ca 90210, (310) 659-2980) where the vehicle was ultimately diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2016 · Brakes · 39,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e320. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was applied and failed without warning. The vehicle was pulled over into a parking lot and the emergency brake was applied to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a brake failure the sbc/electro hydraulic brake system component, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2016 · 175,000 miles · MD

The error light stating brake failure pull off road came on the pedal was very soft and went to the floor I was on a busy street at the time and almost hit a individual ! I was fortunately able to stop the vehicle! I have read since on line that the sbc unit had a recall but we were not privy to this information and now see that it was only for ten years . Why would the federal safety agency put a year end on such a unit that could be something that could cause an accident and possible taking of lives?

Filed Nov 8, 2015 · Brakes · 70,100 miles · VA

Brakes failed three times today. At one point, we were forced to use emergency brake to stop, and at another point, we were forced to drive off into the grass to stop.

Filed Nov 2, 2015 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz e320. While driving at approximately 20 MPH, the power brakes failed without warning causing, which caused the brakes to go into backup mode. The VIN was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v133000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the failure continued. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 01/27/16*lj

Filed May 26, 2015 · Brakes · 131,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz e320. While driving at 75 MPH, the brakes failed to respond and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Brakes · 57,000 miles · VA

Brakes failed at 70 MPH. "brakes warning" sbc failed. Pull over vehicle.

Filed Feb 6, 2012 · Brakes · 81,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that the brakes failed while driving 70 MPH. The contact was able to coast to a stop. The contact stated that the reduced braking affect warning light illuminated on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v133000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but was told by the dealer that the warranty had expired and the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was diagnosed and the failure was located at the sensotronic brake pump having failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 81,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2012 · Brakes · 106,000 miles · MD

I was driving on the highway at approximately 55 MPH when a warning message flashed across my instrument panel to stop my vehicle immediately. At the same time the traffic in front of me slowed almost to a complete stop. I tried to engage my brakes, but they failed and I had to swerve into the next lane to avoid rear ending an SUV. I was able to work my way over to the shoulder and coast to a stop. I was told by the mercedes benz dealer that there are no recalls on my vehicle, but there is an extended warranty on a specific brake part. If the dealer determines that this particular brake part is to blame for the failure, mercedes will cover the cost of the repair. I did some research and found a recall notice on the federal safety agency website (the federal safety agency recall # 04v‑296) that appears to include my vehicle. I do not understand why a defect, this serious, would not warrant a recall that owners should be aware of. The outcome of this brake failure could have been very tragic.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Brakes · 75,847 miles · CA

Brake failure while driving vehicle,brake pedal pressure was greater when applied to stop car. Vehicle was not operational after car came to a complete stop. Sbc system was replaced by mercedes dealer,but refused to replace pressure reservoir that also malfunctioned with brake failure.