2003 Mercedes Benz E500: brake failure

9 of the 125 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 describe brake failure.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 114,138
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Brake failure by model year

2006
2
2005
15
2004
4
2003
9

What owners say

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 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

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Brakes · 1 miles · MA

I was driving and when I tried to brake. The brakes went all the way to the floor. Red light let up in the middle of the dash it said that brake malfunction. Sbc system failure. Had to glade to a stop and have the car towed.

Filed Sep 25, 2015 · Brakes, Transmission · 83,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e500. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle downshifted and the brakes failed. The vehicle shut off and was able to be restarted. After the vehicle was restarted, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2014 · 192,679 miles · GA

Sbc loss of power no brakes stop car immediately. See workshop.

Filed Feb 15, 2014 · Brakes · 84,953 miles · NC

Today while driving to work, a red brake failure warning...flashes across the screen and my car would not stop!!! I am driving down the highway at freeway speed and thankfully on a level section of road. The brake pedal just flopped..nothing.. I managed to get it to the side of the road, park and get out with the car still running!!! There is a recall on this ( see the federal safety agency #05v‑133 ) however mercedes benz is limiting it to 10 years. This is a huge safety issue since the brakes can fail at any time and there should not be a cutoff date. Mb refuses to offer any assistance to owners with vehicles outside the ten year period even thought they are aware it is still a problem.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Brakes · 114,138 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e500. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the brakes failed to respond to deceleration attempts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 114,138.

Filed Mar 1, 2013 · Brakes · 131,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e500. The contact stated that the brakes failed to activate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle stopped when the brake pedal was depressed with force and seized to the floor board. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic who located the failure at the ABS antilock system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 131,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2007 · Brakes · 70,200 miles · LA

Driving vehicle in heavy traffic stepped on the brake and brake failure. Warning indicated complete brake failure stop immediately. Pedal pressure was excessively high resulting in very long stopping distance. Problem self cleared but then repeated with little braking and very high pedal force.