2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ FORT WAYNE (7227 WEST JEFFERSON BOULEVARD, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46804, (877) 455-9123) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,200.

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

FUEL LEAKING TO THE INSIDE OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER ACCESS PORT UNDER REAR SEAT CUSHION, THAT'S THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL PUMP. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH TUCSON MERCEDES BENZ TO INSPECT THE CAR SINCE I BELIEVED THAT A MERCEDES RECALL WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH SERVICE ADVISOR MARK SCHOFIELD AND HE ASSURED ME TWICE THAT THE RECALL IS IN PLACE AND THEY WOULD FIX THE FUEL SYSTEM DEFECTS WITHOUT CHARGE. HE CALLED ME THIS EVENING AND TOLD ME ALL ABOUT WHY TUCSON MERCEDES WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR, I WAS TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM ENDED 2/21/2018. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 4/5/18, FILLED IT UP WITH GAS ON 4/08/18 AND THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH FUMES THAT NIGHT AS WELL AS IN MY GARAGE. TUCSON MERCEDES FIRST SAID THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING AT THE VENT TUBE BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT ACCESS POINTS. HE TOLD ME THAT THE COST WOULD NORMALLY BE $3000 BUT HE REDUCED IT TO $2000. I ASKED MARK HOW THE FUEL COULD RUN ACROSS THE TOP OF THE TANK, CLIMB THE LOCKING RING AND PUDDLE ON TOP OF THE LEFT SIDE FUEL PUMP? HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT MERCEDES COULD NOT JUST REPLACE A PORTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE TANK. ALSO, NOT TRUE. HE SAID THAT UPON A SECOND EXAMINATION WAS MADE AND THERE APPEARS TO BE A CRACK ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND NOW THAT'S WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. NOW HIS PRICE TO REPAIR ALL IS $770 + TAX. AFTER A FEW WORDS MORE, THE PRICE DROPPED TO $700 + TAX. I FEEL THAT MERCEDES SHOULD JUST FIX MY VEHICLE AND CALL IT GOOD. THIS LEARNED THAT THIS CAR HAD A FUEL PUMP INSTALLED AT 59,000 MILES. I MISSED THEIR SELF IMPOSED CUT OFF DATE BY ABOUT 6 WEEKS, NOT SO MUCH TIME FOR SUCH A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY. THE FUMES INSIDE MY CAR AND GARAGE COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR WORSE YET, AN EXPLOSION. THE PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED AFTER THE FIRST TIME I FILLED THE TANK.

DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2005. MERCEDES NEVER NOTIFIED US NOR MADE US AWARE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANKS. A MECHANIC TOLD US ABOUT THE WARRANTY AND TOLD US TO CONTACT MERCEDES IMMEDIATELY. FEBRUARY 2018 I CONTACTED CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME TWICE THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM CONFIRMED THE ISSUE. TWICE MERCEDES CORPORATE OFFICE REPS TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT TO DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM EVALUATE THE CAR, CONTACT CORPORATE FOR AN " EXCEPTION". I DID JUST SO. THE CAR RUNS OKAY, HOWEVER, THE STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR IS FRIGHTENING AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT CHANCE MY DAUGHTER DYING IN A AUTOMOBILE EXPLOSION. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE HAVE BEEN RENTING CARS FROM ENTERPRISE FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS SINCE HER CAR IS OUT OF COMMISSION. FOR GOD'S SAKE, SHE'S OUR DAUGHTER AND THE CAR COULD EXPLODE! THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK IS INDEED DEFECTIVE AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE REPS AT CORPORATE DECIDED TO NOT TO EXTEND THE "EXCEPTION" AFTER ALL. MERCEDES NEVER NOTIFIED US OF THE FUEL TANK DEFECT/RECALL/WARRANTY EXTENSION. THOUGH IT'S DRIVABLE, I REFUSE TO HAVE MY DAUGHTER RISK HER LIFE. I DID EVERYTHING CORP OFFICE SAID I SHOULD DO AND NOW THEY ARE BACK PEDDLING. THEY ARE MAKING US PAY FOR THE ROUNDTRIP TOWING AND THIS IS UNFAIR. GROSS MISREPRESENTATION. DRIVING WITH A FUEL TANK LEAK IS DEADLY. THEY NEED TO HONOR THIS REPAIR. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE INSTRUCTED ME TO TOW A CAR TO THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP IF THEY KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE EXCEPTION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT STOPPING OR SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MADE A BEEPING SOUND AND THE STOP ENGINE AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CALLED (MERCEDES-BENZ OF BROOKLYN, NY, 718-258-5100) AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ABS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

THE AIR STRUT SUSPENSION HAS FAILED ON LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT

I PUSHED THE REMOTE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND THE LEFT REAR DOOR POPPED OPEN , NOW I CANNOT CLOSE THE DOOR. THE LOCK WILL NOT CATCH TO CLOSE THE DOOR. HAD TO TIE THE DOOR SHUT WITH THE SEATBELT TO DRIVE IT HOME. I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE DOOR LOCK JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT BAD , IT COULD HAVE HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE LOCK HAS TO BE REPLACED , COST ...OVER $500 IT SEEMS STRANGE TO ME THAT THIS PART IS SO OVERPRICED COMPARED TO OTHER MODELS. IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT THAT MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF. I'M GLAD I WASN'T IN MOTION WHEN IT HAPPEN . I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

I PURCHASED MY CURRENT VEHICLE 18 MONTHS AGO USED. THIS WEEKEND THE GIANT STOP LIGHT CAME ON ASKING ME TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. IT TURNS OUT IT'S THE SBC PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED BY MERCEDES BENZ. EXCEPT, BENZ WILL NOT REPAIR IT AS IT'S A 2003 AND OUT OF THEIR 10 YEAR RULE. IT'S A $2100 I CANNOT AFFORD AND CANNOT SELL VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE AS I FEAR IT MAY CAUSE HARM TO OTHERS. A FRIEND SUGGESTED I ASK FOR NHTSA'S HELP AS BENZ IS UNWILLING TO STAND BY THE RECALL AND REPAIR THE SAFETY ISSUE.

AIR SUSPENSION - THE ENTIRE VEHICLE HAS FALLEN ALMOST TO THE GROUND DUE TO DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION(FRONT AND REAR). THIS STARTED WITHIN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A MERCEDEZ BENZ DEALERSHIP BUT DID NOT REALIZE HOW SERIOUS THE PROBLEM WAS UNTIL THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. AS OF TODAY, THE AIR DOES NOT PUMP INTO THE CAR AND THEREFORE IT'S LOW TO THE GROUND.

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 *TR

MERCEDES INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY TO COVER THEIR FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATION WITH SUSAN (EXECUTIVE REFERRAL MANAGER) AND SHE DECLINED MY REQUEST TO PAY FOR THE INVOICE. MY FUEL PUMP FAILED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BEFORE THE CAR HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

FUEL SMELL COMING FROM LEFT REAR FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING

SMELLS GASOLINE WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN GARAGE AND SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING SMEELS GASOLINE IN CABIN..SRS RESTRAINTS MALFUNCTION LIGHTS KEEPS COMING ON.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET BRAKES ENGAGED ON THEIR OWN. PULLED CAR OVER DUE TO WARNING LIGHT FOR BRAKE MALFUNCTION AS CAR DOWN SHIFTED ITSELF. TRIED TO DRIVE CAR ONCE STOPPED AND BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED NOT ALLOWING CAR TO OPERATE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD BEEN RECALLED BY MERCEDES BUT THEIR TIME FRAME TO GET IT FIXED HAD EXPIRED. I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE DUE TO BUYING THE CAR USED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS DEFECT AFFECT SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS MODEL. I CONTACTED MBUSA THEY EXPLAINED NHTSA DIDN'T DO THE RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT AND THE TIME THEY SET FOR REPAIR HAD EXPIRED. I TOLD THEM THE REPAIR IS $2100.AND ASKED MBUSA DO THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT BEING THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE THAT THEY USED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THAT THEY COULD GIVE ME $200.00 OF $2100.00 TOWARD THE REPAIR BEING THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. MDUSA HAS NO INTEGRITY TO STAND BEHIND A PROBLEM THEY CREATED WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM.

BRAKES SEEEMED TO WORKING FINE AND OUT OF NO WHERE AT 65MPH A RED NOTIFICATION CAME ON THE DASH SAYING "REDUCED BRAKING EFFECT/LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE VISIT WORKSHOP". MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SBC UNIT THE IS NEEDED TO SAFELY OPERATE THE CAR BUT DIDN'T DO A RECALL AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED INSTALLING THIS PART IN THE MODELS. IF THE VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD PLAN TO SHELL OUT THOUSANDS SINCE THE PART ISN'T COVERED AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOUR BRAKES MAY GO AT ANY TIME. I HAVE 96K ON MY VEHICLE AND BECAUSE IT IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THE FAULTY PART THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT IS NOT COVERED. THE PART IS DESIGNED TO MALFUNCTION AT 300,000 COMPRESSIONS AND THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. THIS IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED! I HOPE SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE TO DIE FOR BENZ TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

MERCEDES DEALER SAYS THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON JULY 31,2009 AND THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE PUMP CAME OUT IN OCTOBER 2009. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT THE SAME MERCEDES DEALER FOR 8 YEARS AND THEY HAVE NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY RECALL. IS MY CAR COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A 10 YEARS LIMIT ON THE RECALL AND MERCEDES HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICING MY CAR SINCE YEAR 6 TO YEAR 10 I.E. @009 TO 2013 AND THEY HAVE NEVER MENTIONED ANY RECALLS IN ANY OF THE TIMES I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED SINCE JULY 31, 2009.

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE VECHILE HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL TBAT I MAY BELIEVE IS BUILDING UP AS IT LEAKS IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR

STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN TANK FULL. DOESN'T HAPPEN IF TANK IS 3/4 FULL OR LESS. ANY RECALLS? WILL DEALERSHIP FIX PROBLEM?

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. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY 10 YEAR OLD SON ON I276 AT 55MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. LUCKILY ENOUGH THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF THEM AND SINCE THEY WERE ON A HIGHWAY HE HAD TIME TO STOP WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR CRUSHING. WE TOWED THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD THAT SBC FAILED AND WE HAVE TO PAY $2000. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF FORT WASHINGTON IN FORT WASHINGTON, PA. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THE SBC UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST IS $2000. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS UNIT FAILED ON MANY CUSTOMERS AND APPARENTLY THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFERED UP TO 10 YEARS. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT MERCEDES NEVER NOTIFIED ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS SITUATION. THE DEALER NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND THEY EXPECT ME TO PAY THE REPAIR COST FOR A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED?? TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, AFTER I REACHED OUT TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 10 YEAR TERM ONLY IF IT FAILED WHICH IS AN APPALLING STATEMENT. SO I WOULD HAVE TO CRASH BEFORE THE PART IS REPLACED?? THIS IS THE ABSOLUTELY MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE EVER HEARD FROM A CAR MANUFACTURER. I HAVE ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR HIS MANAGER'S CONTACT INFORMATION AND HE REFUSED TO PROVIDE IT. THE SBC UNIT SHOULD BE COVERED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE IT WAS KNOWN FAULTY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE WARNING LIGHT CAR TO LOW. STOP DRIVING.

STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT. THE SMELL SPREAD TO THE CABIN AND THE WHOLE GARAGE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. THE SMELL WILL LESSEN AFTER THE TANK IS ABOUT HALF FULL.

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE CARS BUILT BETWEEN 2003 & 2006 WERE BUILT WITH THE SENSORMATIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT OR SBC. MERCEDES DISCOVERED THAT THIS BRAKE SYSTEM HAD A LIFESPAN BASED ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED SO THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS UNIT TO TEN YEARS. FROM WHAT I READ, THESE UNITS JUST FAIL, SOMETIMES WITHOUT NOTICE, AND THE CAR IS LEFT WITH 10% BRAKING POWER, WHICH IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO STOP A CAR, ESPECIALLY A CAR GOING 55 OR 60 MILES AN HOUR. THE TEN YEAR WARRANTY DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE THE FAILURE IS BASED ON USAGE, NOT TIME. MY CAR IS 13 YEARS OLD AND I JUST SAW A MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD THAT INDICATES IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE SBC. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB, UP TO $2000 AND I DO NOT BELIEVE I OR ANY OWNERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. HOW IS A CAR MANUFACTURER ALLOWED TO BUILD AND SELL A CAR THAT HAS A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT FAILS AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TAPS ON THE BRAKE. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR OF THE BRAKES FAILING ON ME. I HAVE EMAILED DAIMLER BENZ AND DID NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WITH THIS MATTER [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE "STOP DRIVING" AND "VEHICLE DRIVING LOW" WARNING MESSAGES DISPLAYED. WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEEMED LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

DRIVING A CAR IN VEHICLE WENT DOWN SAYING IS TOO LOW

MY CAR HAVE A STRONG SMELL A GASOLINE ON THE BACK SEAT EVERY TIME IM REFUELING. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS SO THE SMELL GOES AWAY. AND SOME TIMES A GET THE MESSAGE CHECK FILLER CAP BUT AL READY CHANGE THE FILLER CAP AND THE MESSAGE STILL SOME TIMES APPEAR.

I OWN A 2003 E320 MERCEDES BENZ WITH 67,000 MILES. I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY SBC UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ON THIS COMPONENT WAS EXTENDED BUT IS NOW OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. WHY WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL RATHER THAN JUST AN EXTENDED WARRANTY? THIS SEEMS TO INDICATE MERCEDES IS ACKNOWLEDGING A FAULTY COMPONENT. THIS APPEARS TO POTENTIALLY AFFECT SAFETY SO I WOULD HOPE MERCEDES WOULD BE EAGER TO REPLACE THE SBCS.

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE A WARNING LIGHT BLINKS IN THE CLUSTER PANEL. THEN THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL BRAKING POWER. ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, 110TH SOUTH BOUND 1 MILE SOUTH FROM DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, SUDDENLY A WARNING LIGHT APPEAR WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE 'BRAKES DEFECTIVE STOP VEHICLE' THE CARS BEGINS TO DOWNSHIFT AND IT SLOWS DOWN. HOWEVER THE BRAKE DOES NOT WORK IN FULL. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE WORKS ENOUGH TO COME TO STOP AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS DOWNSHIFTED TO THE LOWEST GEAR. ALL BRAKING ABILITY IS DISABLE. AFTER I RESEARCH THE CODE AND NARROW TO THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD, I NOTICED THAT MERECEDES BENZ HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE ABS PUMP FOR THESE MODELS FOR 10 YEARS, SINCE MY VEHICLE IS 2003 THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON 2013. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM SO IF AN ELECTRIC FAILURE OCCURS THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO MANUAL BRAKE POWER OTHER THAN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THIS VEHICLE.

I BEEN DRIVING MERCEDES FOR PASSED 20 YEARS BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED SCARY MOMENT LIKE THIS. THURSDAY 09/01/16 ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK OUT OF NOWHERE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT LID UP MY WHOLE DASH WITH BIG STOP SIGN IN THE MIDDLE, FLASHING WITH ESP AND ABS SAYING VISIT WORKSHOP AND I LOST 90% OF BRAKING POWER.LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED ON OPEN ROAD WITH CARS FAR AHEAD OF ME. PULLED ASIDE AND AFTER FEW RESTARTS WARNING WENT OFF AND I MADE IT SAFELY HOME WITHOUT TOWING SERVICE, KEEPING MY LEFT FOOT CLOSE TO EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL. GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED TO MY SURPRISE VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BOSCH SBC UNITS INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL. IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE FOR ONE OF THE TOP NAMES IN THE WORLD TO LIMIT THEIR SERVICE CYCLE TO 300,000 BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATIONS? ARE SOME OF THE TOP ENGINEERS INVOLVED OUT OF THEIR MIND? MERCEDES, IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH TWO KIDS IN IT? WOULD ONE OF THE ENGINEERS LIKE TO TAKE MY CAR ON THE AUTOBAHN NOW TO PROOF THEIR POINT? I BELIEVE THE COUNTER IS UP WITH 13 YEARS AND 122K MILES OF SERVICE BECAUSE ALL OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS CHECKED FINE. UNBELIEVABLE??? WHERE IS THE SAFETY RECALL??? ENDED IN 10 YEARS??? WHAT A SHAME FOR BOTH MERCEDES AND BOSCH NAMES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO A STOP USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOTRONIC CONTROL HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

AFTER FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT, VEHICLE OPERATED FINE FOR ABOUT 7 MILES. WHILE IDLING A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN THE DRIVEWAY UPON RETURN FROM THE SHORT TRIP, THE RETURN LINE HOSE EXITING THE FUEL FILTER EXPANDED, RUPTURED, AND SPRAYED FUEL OUT AT A HIGH RATE. AFTER HOSE WAS REPAIRED, FUEL GUSHED OUT OF EVAPORATIVE CANISTER DISCHARGE TUBE AND PURGE VALVE CANISTER. VISE GRIPS PLACED ON THE RUBBER TUBE LEADING FROM THE RETURN LINE TO THE CANISTER STOPPED THE GUSHER. NEW FUEL FILTER THAT WAS JUST INSTALLED (PRONTO PF5416) WAS SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE - CAUSING EXCESSIVE RETURN LINE FUEL VOLUME. WITH THE POOR DESIGN OF THE RETURN LINE PLUMBING AND RESTRICTION BACK TO THE TANK, THE EXCESS VOLUME WAS PILING UP IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER AND OUT THE PURGE VALVE IN A MASSIVE GUSHING LEAK. ONCE A SECOND NEW FUEL FILTER WAS FITTED (PUROLATOR F65416), VEHICLE RAN PROPERLY AGAIN WITHOUT LEAKAGE - HOWEVER, SEVERE LEAKAGE FROM THE TOP OF THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER WAS NOTED DURING A FILLUP ATTEMPT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THIS NEVER OCCURRED IN THE PRIOR TO THE FILTER REPLACEMENT. FROM ALL INDICATIONS, THE DESIGN IS VERY POOR AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ANY CONDITIONS WHICH RESULT IN EXCESSIVE RETURN LINE FUEL VOLUME. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL POURING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER ASSEMBLY AND DISCHARGE WAS INDEED A FIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD - THE EQUIVALENT OF AN OPEN FUEL PUMP OUTPUT DISCHARGE. IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THIS, DURING THE FILTER REPLACEMENT/TESTING PROCESS, LOUD BANGING WAS HEARD FROM THE TANK ITSELF. REMOVAL OF THE GAS CAP RESULTED IN A MASSIVE PRESSURE RELEASE. FROM MY OBSERVATIONS AS A MECHANIC WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVICING FOREIGN CARS, THE VENTILATION AND FUEL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND UNSAFE. VEHICLE WAS ON A LIFT WHILE BEING SERVICED.

BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON SO I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS STILL COMING ON, COULD NOT STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC WITH BREAK PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WENT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD MY SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOW HEARING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL. VEHICLE PURCHASE 1 YEAR AGO, HAS JUST OVER 99K MILES. GERMAIN MERCEDES ADVISED REPAIR COST ARE $2500 AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE, A "BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSATRONIC MODULE FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

RECENTLY ON TODAY 7-12-16 AT 174,000 MILES THE DISPLAY ON MY 2003 E320 4S MERCEDES BENZ ALL OF A SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AN ILLUMINATED MESSAGE IN BRIGHT WHITE : "BRAKE" SERVICE BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM EXHIBITED THIS MESSAGE. SHORTLY PRIOR TO THIS MESSAGING, I NOTICE MY BRAKES WERE MORE HARD TO APPLY PRESSURE,. I AM GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING FAST, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS TRAGEDY TO MYSELF AS WELL AS THOSE OTHERS ON THE EXPRESSWAY JUST A AS I WAS. 2. PROBLEM WITH MY GAS TANK AFTER I FILL THE TANK , THE GAS FUMES BECOME SO INTENSE AFTER PARKING THIS VEHICLE INSIDE MY GARAGE. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE A RECALL. IS THIS FUEL SAFETY HAZARD RECALL STILL IN EFFECT? IF SO, WHOM DO I CONTACT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME THE OWNER? 3. 4 MONTHS PRIOR IN MARCH 2016 I INCURRED A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN A MAJOR MONETARY EXPENSE OUT OF MY POCKETS ABOVE $5000. CAN THIS BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTUER SO I MAY BE ABLE TO BE REIMBURSED?

SBC BRAKE UNIT WHICH CONTROL THE BRAKES JUST FAILED WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY,VERY LIMITED BRAKING,VERY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING 70MPH. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS MAJOR ISSUE WITH MERCEDES BENZ ,SOME KIND OF PENALTY SHOULD BE ASSESSED TO THEM BECAUSE THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT JUST COST ME 2380.73 TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WILL KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HOPEFULLY IT'S A SITUATION THAT THE NTSB CAN LOOK INTO ABOUT THIS DEFECTED UNIT FROM MERCEDES BENZ. THANK YOU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED AND PARKED, AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,618.

THE SBC UNIT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS BOUND TO FAIL THERE WAS A 10 YEAR RECALL ON THIS BUT NOT ALL VEHICLE WHERE DONE NOW MERCEDES ATTITUDE IS OH WELL BAD LUCK PAY US AND WE WILL FIX OUR FAULTY PART

WATER GETS IN THE TRUNK SOMEHOW AND CAUSES FAULTY WUTHERING SAM BOXES..CREATING ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZZARD..CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW WATER GETS IN TRUNK AND SETTLES WHERE SPARE TIRE SITS NEAR BATTERY AND ELECTRONIC WIRING

SBC PUMP WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, ON A LONELY, DARK TWO LANE ROAD WITHOUT ANY NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE ISSUE, APPROXIMATELY 200+ MILES FROM MY HOME. MESSAGE INDICATOR IN CAR STARTED BEEPING AND AN EMERGENCY MESSAGE DISPLAYED STATING BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP VEHICLE. CAR HARDLY ANY BRAKE POWER AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 35 MPH. PULLED OVER AND NOW CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. HAD TO WAIT 3 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK! LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY FAMILY WITH ME OF WHICH INCLUDES SMALL CHILDREN!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR CEILING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A CRACK IN THE RIM CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 06/21/16*LJ

TAKATA RECALL, ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH FUEL CAP AND EVACUATION SYSTEM.

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH FRONT SUSPENCION ON FLOOR

"TAKATA RECALL" EACH YEAR IT FAILS THE EMMISSION TEST THE FAILED CODE IS PO456. I HAD AN EVAP SYSTEM TEST RAN THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PURGE VALVE, EVAL HOSE, AND THE FILLER NECK. (LEAKS). IN MY OWN WORDS, THE ENGINE COMES ON AND OFF, THE COMPUTER IS INDICATING THAT THE TRUCK IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT, THE SEATBELT TIGHTEN UP AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR IT LOCKS ME INAND I HAVE TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DASH, AND THE ALARM COMES ON WHENEVER! AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR STAYS ON AND WE RECENTLY HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON. WE HAD IT BALANCED AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE AS WELL. OTHER THAN THAT THE CAR IS STILL DRIVING WELL. I THOUGHT BENZ WAS ONE OF THE BEST VEHICLES BUT I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT NOW WITH THESE CONCERNS! THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN IN MOTION EXCEPT FOR THE ALARM GOING OFF. I THINK THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM AND I HOPE THIS CAR DON'T BLOWUP ON ME! S ROYSTER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (LOKEY MERCEDES-BENZ, 19820 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33764) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK, FUEL LINES, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINES WOULD BE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. ANY ADDITIONAL PARTS OR LABOR WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

THE SBC BRAKE UNIT FAILED WHILE I WAS ON VACATION. THE REST OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WORKS FINE. MERCEDES RECALLED THIS BRAKE SYSTEM AND KNEW IT WAS UNSAFE, HOWEVER NOW THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNLESS I PAY AND THE COST IS $2,500.00 PER THE DEALER. WITHOUT IT THE CAR IS GARBAGE. IT IS AN ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM.

MY CAR HAS DROPPED DOWN VERY LOW ON TOP OF MY TIRES WHEN I STARTED MY CAR UP ON THE DASH WAS A RED WARNING LIGHT SAYING STOP CAR IS TOO LOW. MY CAR DROVE FINE THE DAY BEFORE THE NEXT MORNING WHILE SITTING UNDER MY CARPORT IT WAS VERY LOW.

DURING INITIAL WARMUP OF VEHICLE (GENERALLY SOAKED AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES 60F AND BELOW) A SHORT TERM (5-8 SECONDS) UNSTABLE IDLE OCCURS 20-30 SECONDS AFTER INITIAL ENGINE START AND WHILE IN A FORWARD DRIVE GEAR. THIS UNSTABLE IDLE GENERATES TORQUE VARIATIONS THAT WILL OVERCOME A BRAKE APPLY AND INCUR VEHICLE MOVEMENT. THE BRAKE APPLY IS A LEVEL WHICH WOULD KEEP THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON LEVEL GROUND TO COUNTER ACT NORMAL CREEP TORQUE. APPLYING THE BRAKE HEAVIER WILL PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STOP CAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT AIRMATIC SUSPENSIONS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.