2005 Mercedes Benz E500: brake failure

Filed May 10, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 129,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz e500w, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed. As a result, the contact drove through a stop light. The contact stated that the epc warning indicator was illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the epc unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2018 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz e500. The contact stated that a warning message to take the vehicle to a repair shop illuminated concerning the brakes. The vehicle had been previously serviced several times for various brake failures, but there had not been a permanent remedy. The dealer (mercedes-benz of valencia, 23355 valencia blvd, santa clarita, ca 91355, 661- 753-5555) and the manufacturer indicated that there was an extended warranty for the sensotronic brake control (sbc), but did not specify if they would provide a solution covered by the extended warranty. The dealer indicated that there was a malfunction with the sbc unit and the pump, which both needed to be replaced. The manufacturer indicated that there was no recall on the vehicle and they refused to cover the vehicle with an extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2018 · Brakes · 117,000 miles · GA

Brake failure. Total brake failure while driving down the highway. No warning light except after failure! According to recall campaign #2005110001" brake power may be reduced". Brake power wasn't reduced, there was zero- had to coast to a stop on the side of the road. Could've been catastrophic. Per safety campaign records, my vehicle is marked as "completed" . I am the 2nd owner of the car and it's not been completed. Contact mb dealership who offered to fix this recalled item for me at a 10% discount. Contacted mb customer service and I cannot get a resolution.

Filed Oct 8, 2017 · Brakes · 600 miles · GA

While driving on interstate brake failure sing come with red light totake to dealer.try to stop the car but, not braking. Luckily no incedent. It had happened several times and it has only 122,000 miles. It can take my life away. It obviously the company's defect.spend enough money after maintanance. Dealers are day time robbers.company should replace the part without cost to loyal customers.there are other luxury vehicles available with compatative price.

Filed Sep 5, 2017 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · CA

When attempting to exit the highway, the sensotronic brake control system (sbc) failed and there were no noticeable brakes. The pedal went all the way to the floor with no resistance. Manufacturer claims that if you apply additional pressure during a failure, there will be some braking power available. In the situation though, when the pedal goes to the floor, human instinct is to immediately find an alternative way to stop the car. I was able to stop by downshifting the transmission and applying the emergency brake. Less experienced drivers may not be so lucky. Mercedes benz USA is aware of the potential for all sbc electric pumps to fail at any time causing this same situation for anyone. They are unwilling to cover the defective part because I am one year beyond the 'extended warranty.' they claim that as with any car parts, the sbc system can be expected to fail at some point. Anything beyond 10 years and they do not take responsibility for. Normally I would agree with that sentiment, but not when it concerns the primary electric system of electric brakes to fail. There should at least be a sufficient and noticeable hydraulic back up if this part is engineered to fail. Mercedes has recently extended all fuel tank related issues and components to 15 year coverage, and this would at least be a step in the right direction for the sbc system. However, I believe mercedes benz USA and the federal safety agency should mandate a recall of all vehicles equipped with sbc to be inspected yearly and replaced free of charge for the life of the vehicle. I believe it is just a matter of time before there are significant deaths or injuries due to this problem - as the affected vehicles are all about 10 years old at this point. It is a valid concern for both me as a driver of an affected vehicle, and a concern for fellow motorists and pedestrians on the road.

Filed Oct 5, 2016 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · CA

This vehicle is equipped with sensotronic brake control that has a service threshold. When this threshold is reached the brake system defaults to non power assisted hydraulic mode to the front wheels only. This occurs without any prior warning and results in increased stopping distance. At the very least, mercedes should issue a mandatory recall to interrogate these vehicles with star das to determine how close to the service threshold the sbc unit is and replace them for free. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed. We are too scared to drive the vehicle because we don't know when the brakes will go into failure mode. Mercedes extended the warranty period for 10yrs which has expired. Even under that warranty period mercedes only replaced sbc units that had failed. The main issue is when the sbc unit fails you have no brakes; and replacing the sbc does not solve this because the sbc will eventually fail again in the future.

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · MN

Upon exiting a highway, a red brake failure warning and beeping noise appeared. All braking capability was absent, so I was able to safely roll to a stop. This happened twice (odometer during these incidences exceeding 120,000) and I now have a white message appearing when I start the vehicle which notes "brakes - visit workshop". The times that the brakes seized up on me I was always able to turn the car off and start up again with no message ever to appear for months at a time, which made me think it was some sort of computer error message. I had the brakes checked and the mechanic could not see anything wrong with them, so I was always sent on my way with no repair work done. I have reached my limit with this vehicle. I do not feel safe and it is unfortunate I had to experience such trauma twice. Thankfully I was able to not crash into anyone and had convenient parking lots to roll into. Please investigate this matter. It has happened to many people.

Filed Feb 28, 2015 · Brakes · 98,877 miles · OH

When attempting to exit the highway, the sensotronic brake control system (sbc) failed and there were no noticeable brakes. The pedal went all the way to the floor with no resistance. Manufacturer claims that if you apply additional pressure during a failure, there will be some braking power available. In the situation though, when the pedal goes to the floor, human instinct is to immediately find an alternative way to stop the car. I was able to stop by downshifting the transmission and applying the emergency brake. Less experienced drivers may not be so lucky. Mercedes benz USA is aware of the potential for all sbc electric pumps to fail at any time causing this same situation for anyone. They are unwilling to cover the defective part because I am 1 month beyond the 'extended warranty.' they claim that as with any car parts, the sbc system can be expected to fail at some point. Anything beyond 10 years and they do not take responsibility for. Normally I would agree with that sentiment, but not when it concerns the primary electric system of electric brakes to fail. There should at least be a sufficient and noticeable hydraulic back up if this part is engineered to fail. Mercedes has recently extended all fuel tank related issues and components to 15 year coverage, and this would at least be a step in the right direction for the sbc system. However, I believe mercedes benz USA and the federal safety agency should mandate a recall of all vehicles equipped with sbc to be inspected yearly and replaced free of charge for the life of the vehicle. I believe it is just a matter of time before there are significant deaths or injuries due to this problem - as the affected vehicles are all about 10 years old at this point. It is a valid concern for both me as a driver of an affected vehicle, and a concern for fellow motorists and pedestrians on the road.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · IL

The brakes failed when pressure was applied to brake pedal, there was only 20% of brake power.

Filed Jan 28, 2015 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the brakes failed and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Brakes · 147,000 miles · WV

12/31/2014 hi, customer care / technical adviser, mb USA. I am unable to contact and discuss with any customer care or technical care adviser today. Mercedes benz, e-500, 2005, v8, 4 door sedan yesterday, 12/30/2014 between 9:30 to 10:30 am, we both (me and my wife, [xxx]) were in the car luckily we had taken an exit from the highway 404 north in york region, ontario, canada when without any warning the brake failure sign showed up with red warning light. I couldn't control the car since brake were totally ineffective and failed. It was a horrifying experience which has left us indignant, I am not comfortable driving my car now even repaired by mb, ontario, canada, now my car is in mb newmarket location on mullock street, ontario, canada. They told me that the whole brake module is bad and you have to replace before driving and the cost is almost 3000/= canadian dollars. I am lodging this complaint against mb USA now in regards to safety issue, god saved us but we are still in shocked and mentally upset and scared driving mb cars for now. I also have gl 450, 2008 , I don't know what to do. Please call me and discuss this important safety issue with asap. I am also filling a civil law suite against mb USA in regards to this important safety issue, which left us completely shocked, mentally upset and an emotional stress. Thanks note: I faxed this letter to my state farm insurance company today 12/31/2014 and I am requesting my state farm insurance, morgantown, wv's lawyers to lodge this incident with the federal safety agency and also civil law suit against mb USA in regards to safety issue. *js 'information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e500. While driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and the brake indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the sbc was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.