2006 Mercedes-Benz E350: brake failure

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Brakes · 151,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. While driving at 30 MPH, a "Reduced Braking Power" warning message was displayed on the instrument panel followed by an audible alarm. The brake pedal travelled to the floorboard, resulting in a significant loss of braking functionality. Additionally, the vehicle became stuck in second gear, requiring the driver to pull over and have the vehicle towed to the residence. The consumer performed an OBD II scan, but no diagnostic trouble codes related to the brake failure were retrieved. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that there were no active recalls associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Brakes · 180,000 miles · TX

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to function as intended. The brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. The contact's mother used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system failure. The contact was informed that the Sensotronic Brake Control system needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the mechanic unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · HI

Brake failure at 40 mph. RED CAUTION light on : "STOP Reduced braking power Depress brake pedal fully"

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 125,663 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz e350. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, a warning message of 'restricting system manufacture' illuminated and 07:02 the vehicle lost all power. The contact lost control of the steering, and the brakes failed. As a result, the contact crashed into a wall at 8-10 MPH, but did not sustained injuries. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normal however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The contact called an unknown dealer and informed them of the failure and was provided with the number to the federal safety agency. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,663.

Filed Oct 6, 2020 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · HI

Brake failure while driving on freeway. Reduced braking message , esp message, and 'stop' on speedometer!

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Brakes · 163,530 miles · VA

Brakes failed, red warning light alerted me, I managed to stop the car on a slight incline with emerg brake help. Luckily I was going slowly on a city street. Car was towed to mercedes in richmond va . They found nothing wrong and reset the code. Said it was fine to drive. When I questioned this, they said they could bleed the brake line, even though they admitted air in the line would not activate red brakes failed warning light. Mb richmond va stated that they thought the problem was the sbc unit, but because the 'wrong code' indicating the sbc unit was at fault, showed up, they were not required to perform the warranty work (good for 25 years )

Filed Dec 29, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 144,000 miles · DC

While driving on us 50 my the sbc failed while driving 60mph I had no brakes the indicators told me to turn the vehicle off and to depress brakes fully. That's hard to do whn ur going 60mph... So I had to let the vehicle drift until it came to a stop on the side of the highway... Please get mb to correct this problem before someone loses their life... After this incident my check engine light came on had the vehicle diagnosed the independent mechanic said as a result of the engine revving so high when the breaks failed I got trouble codes p0016 and p0017.. Related to the balance shaft... The vehicle has not been serviced... Based on the price I was quoted in order to repair the vehicle I was told it will cost between 4 to $5.000 usd for repairs.

Filed May 18, 2019 · Brakes · 109,200 miles · NV

Car brakes went out while driving on freeway 65 MPH. Sbc red light went off and car brake was fully depressed all the way to the floor and braking took too long. Car display error message was braking power decreased. Depress brake fully. Turned off car and restarted but error message disappeared and car brakes fully again. Not good at all. Now I know that problem is lurking and can happen again anytime. Very dangerous situation that could have injured me, my passenger, or another person. Totally unacceptable for any car brakes to fail just like that. Due to manufacturer incompetence.

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · FL

While driving to work, the reduced braking power light illuminated and I had no brakes. I almost hit the car in front of me, but managed to swerve out of the way and make it to the brake-down lane. I shut of the ignition, and when I restarted it, the problem went away. I was very lucky, this time...

Filed Oct 10, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 143,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 mercedes-benz e350w. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags deployed. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was towed from the scene to mercedes-benz of ontario (3787 e guasti rd, ontario, ca 91761), but was not diagnosed. The contact's insurance company confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Brakes · 147,000 miles · VA

I experienced immediate brake failure while driving with no advanced warning. Received red light warning messaging stating reduced braking ability and to visit workshop. Immediately stepped fully on brake pedal with minimal to no response. Car eventually slowed down to a stop. A significant collision was avoided because I was driving around 15 MPH on a residential side-street with no other traffic at the time. Had I been traveling on a major road at 35-40mph with moderate traffic I would have been unable to avoid a serious collision. Mercedes benz has recognized this braking issue and ordered an extended 10 year warranty with unlimited miles on the hydraulic sbc system, but I was told my 2006 vehicle was "out of warranty" by the dealership and would need to pay $2275 for repairing the hydraulic sbc. This problem is an immediate safety concern given the acute failure of the braking system and the high likelihood of a serious accident.

Filed Nov 27, 2015 · Brakes · 55,700 miles · CA

Brake service workshop message. Sbc unit failing and loss of brake function noticeable when the light is on. Message goes away but comes back on. Car has 55766 miles and is less than 10 years old.