Check a VIN

2003 Mercedes Benz E500 brakes problems

38 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
38
of this car's complaints
30%
typical mileage
100,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Power assist
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mercedes Benz E500 brakes problems in other years

2003200420052006

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Brake failure 9

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but the pedal was stiff. The vehicle was taken to two dealers where it was diagnosed that the brake pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Brakes · 97,648 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that there was leakage coming from the driver’s and the passenger’s side sunroof. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The contact was informed that the only warranty would be for the module. The contact stated as he was driving the vehicle into the dealer service center the ESP warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the ESP warning light disappeared, the brake warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,648.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

I own a 2003 mercedes benz e500. My wife was driving the car about 25 MPH .she put on the brakes and a bright red signal appeared on the screen and the car brakes failed .to avoid an accident ,my wife drove into an uphill parking lot where the car came to a stop without the cars brakes help .after we calmed down ,we called aaa and had the car towed to rizzoli's mecedez repair 702 west grand ave grover beach ca 93433 phone number 805‑481‑0832 which was closed and the car was left in their parking lot with the keys left in the drop box .this was the closest mercedes repair place we could think of in our state of shock. We were notified that sbc brake system had failed and it would cost $3453.06 to repair .I found out that there had been a 25 year extended warranty on the VIN number in question .after the repair I still noticed some cushioning of the brake pedal but the car brakes did work . Rizzolis is not an authorized repair shop .I called the authorized dealer where I purchased the car alphonos ,1423 calle joaquin,san luis obispo ,93405 ,805 4382701 prior to get the cars brakes repaired and the representative I talked to said they do not have a recall listed on the vehicle and could not help me . I am seeking reembersement of the cost of repair since the dealer I bought the car from would not honor repairing the vehicle on the 25 year warrantee . Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 3, 2022 · Brakes · 98,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnose the failure to be the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electronic braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 150,250 miles · CA

Mzb issued a 25-year-warranty/safety recall extension on my 2003 e500 mzb car; #2005110001 -for the sensotronic brake system. Around august 2020 I was driving on surface street when suddenly the dashboard started flashing red warnings and the speed immediately reduced and transmission was locked in first gear. I was almost rear-ended and managed to pull car curbside. I then slowly drove car home, and the next day contacte a master ase mzb mechanic and had car towed there in temecula. He determined the sbc unit was the cause and even called mzb temecula to assure they had the part. He then informed me my car was under a 25-year recall extension to repair the safety- hazard issue. Dealer and mzb USA refuses to repair - they say since their computer does not show faults, the codes that the ase master mechanic ( who is know to temecula mzb service manager for years) sent to them do not matter...only their system codes. I live in an area where freeway drives are essential and frequent; a sbc limp mode breakdown would put mine and others lives in danger. Mzb temecula and mzb USA in georgia told me that is not their problem unless ifthe system goes down and I have towed to them.

Filed Aug 20, 2020 · Brakes · 146,753 miles · IL

Vehicle started flashing a red warning sign while driving at which point I lost all brakes it was only right that I used a runaway ramp at the moment otherwise the car would have not stopped. I turned off the vehicle and then upon restarting everything brake related disappeared. Also this has happened a few times already.

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · Brakes · 117,480 miles · GA

Sbc ABS hydraulic unit failed needed replacement & switch mb said this was not under warranty for my yr vehicle. Mercedes benz finally took ownership of this problem and stated in document august 2018 that they are covering the cost and labor to this problem for up to 25 years in model year. But your site does not show a recall on this?? Limp mode and fault lights flashed sbc/ABS unit failed. Had to be towed to dealer. Please, file my complaint since I am going after mercedes benz local dealer for my refund of cash for this problem to be fixed. Thanks

Filed Jul 2, 2018 · Brakes · 109,000 miles · MD

The sbc is the proble , and I belice rhat it is / was on recall, I want you to fix the problem . Thanks

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e500. While driving, the red brake warning indicator illuminated and a "decrease braking" message appeared. When attempting to apply the brakes, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Approximately five minutes later, the vehicle was restarted and functioned normally. The contact stated that the warning indicator remained illuminated and the brakes performed at a slower rate. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehcle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v296000 (service brakes, hydraulic), however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 152,801 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e500. While driving, the brakes failed and the driver was unable to immediately stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (mercedes-benz of north houston located in houston, texas) who indicated that the hydraulic sbc brake pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact indicated that the sbc brake pump was previously replaced in 2011. After retrieving the vehicle and while driving, several warning messages displayed, including the battery and alternator warning indicators before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery were faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 152,801. Updated 09/05/17*lj *cn

Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 brakes

Does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500, 30% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 brakes?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mercedes Benz E500 have bad brakes?

The Mercedes Benz E500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2003 (38 complaints), 2005 (38 complaints) and 2004 (26 complaints).

Other 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 problems

Fuel system 41Suspension 19Transmission 10Airbags 7Driver assistance 5Engine 5Visibility 3Acceleration 2Electrical 2Steering 1Tires 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Mercedes Benz E500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history