2006 Mercedes Benz E320 problems

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle had a blow out on highway. Pull onto right shoulder doing about 60mph. Pressed the brakes and would not stop. Kept pressing brake and pumping the brakes and would not stop. was going around 50mph on the shoulder. After 15 seconds of pressing the brakes, car decided to brake. Checked brake lines, brake fluid and everything was correct and not leaking and drove the car back home slowly with spare on. ESP and ABS error came on. No other warning came on.

NHTSA complaint #11418001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11331922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING, WITH SHORT BEEPS , THE SBC IN MY W211 GIVES A SHORT WARNING AND FAILS COMPLETELY. IT IS VERY RISKY TO DRIVE AFTER THAT. WITH SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR THE RELIABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. IF THERE IS A RECALL IT WOULD HELP MANY OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #11311560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING, WITH SHORT BEEPS , THE SBC IN MY W211 GIVES A SHORT WARNING AND FAILS COMPLETELY. IT IS VERY RISKY TO DRIVE AFTER THAT. WITH SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR THE RELIABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. IF THERE IS A RECALL IT WOULD HELP MANY OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #11311560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN JANUARY 2018, MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED SBC MALFUNCTION ISSUES AND I TOOK IT TO THE AND THEY QUOTED ME $ 2,700+/- TO FIX THE ISSUE. I THEN CALLED MB USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SBC UNIT WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR 10YRS AND THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED THAT LIMIT. I THEN REACHED OUT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $865 (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED RECEIPT). I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE SBC UNIT FROM MB OF CLEAR LAKE FOR $1,045.70 . THUS, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIR AND SAVE MY SELF ABOUT $1,000 AS MB WAS NOT COVERING ITS REPAIR. ON SEPTEMBER 2018 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB USA, INDICATING THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS REIMBURSABLE. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY REQUESTED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR CAN BE REIMBURSED ONLY IF IT WAS DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A FAIRWAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WHEN ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LEGITIMATE REIMBURSABLE. MB I BELIEVE IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING MY DUE REFUND FOR A FAULTY SBC UNIT. I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO MB USA AND THEY REACHED OUT TO ME WITH THE ANSWER, "NOT UNLESS REPAIR DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER" THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11206023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

IN JANUARY 2018, MY CAR HAD DEVELOPED SBC MALFUNCTION ISSUES AND I TOOK IT TO THE AND THEY QUOTED ME $ 2,700+/- TO FIX THE ISSUE. I THEN CALLED MB USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SBC UNIT WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR 10YRS AND THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED THAT LIMIT. I THEN REACHED OUT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE UNIT FOR $865 (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED RECEIPT). I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE SBC UNIT FROM MB OF CLEAR LAKE FOR $1,045.70 . THUS, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIR AND SAVE MY SELF ABOUT $1,000 AS MB WAS NOT COVERING ITS REPAIR. ON SEPTEMBER 2018 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MB USA, INDICATING THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS REIMBURSABLE. I REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY REQUESTED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR CAN BE REIMBURSED ONLY IF IT WAS DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A FAIRWAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WHEN ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LEGITIMATE REIMBURSABLE. MB I BELIEVE IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING MY DUE REFUND FOR A FAULTY SBC UNIT. I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO MB USA AND THEY REACHED OUT TO ME WITH THE ANSWER, "NOT UNLESS REPAIR DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER" THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11206023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #11139421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

MY AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AND DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE WEST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY APPROACHING THE TOLL STATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOUD EXPLOSION AND AND HARD PERCUSSION AS THE AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN PUNCHED OR SHOT IN THE GUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN DROPPED DOWN AND THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BAG DEPLOYED. THE SEATBELT AROUND MY WAIST AND SHOULDER TIGHTENED. FORTUNATELY, I KEPT IT TOGETHER AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, RUN OVER A POTHOLE, SWERVED OR OTHERWISE MAKE ANY SUDDEN DIRECTION CHANGE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY CALLED BY AN OPERATOR ON THE MERCEDES EMERGENCY SYSTEM WITHIN THE CAR. SO MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED. SHE ASKED IF I NEEDED AN AMBULANCE OR POLICE. I TOLD HER THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN AND THAT I WAS PHYSICALLY OK. ADDITIONALLY, I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO STAR MOTOR DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 20 MINUTES AFTER IT OCCURRED. THE SERVICE ADVISER AND SOME OF THE TECHNICIANS QUICKLY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE (IT WAS NEAR CLOSING TIME). THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT READ THE CODES OTHER THAN THE SRS FAULT. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD LIKELY BE CHEAPER TO FIX AT A BODY SHOP THAN AT THE DEALER. I LATER FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEATBELT HAD ALSO DEPLOYED AND WAS TIGHTENED.

NHTSA complaint #11021798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

MY AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AND DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE WEST SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY APPROACHING THE TOLL STATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOUD EXPLOSION AND AND HARD PERCUSSION AS THE AIRBAGS SELF DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN PUNCHED OR SHOT IN THE GUT. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN DROPPED DOWN AND THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BAG DEPLOYED. THE SEATBELT AROUND MY WAIST AND SHOULDER TIGHTENED. FORTUNATELY, I KEPT IT TOGETHER AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, RUN OVER A POTHOLE, SWERVED OR OTHERWISE MAKE ANY SUDDEN DIRECTION CHANGE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY CALLED BY AN OPERATOR ON THE MERCEDES EMERGENCY SYSTEM WITHIN THE CAR. SO MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED. SHE ASKED IF I NEEDED AN AMBULANCE OR POLICE. I TOLD HER THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN AND THAT I WAS PHYSICALLY OK. ADDITIONALLY, I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO STAR MOTOR DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 20 MINUTES AFTER IT OCCURRED. THE SERVICE ADVISER AND SOME OF THE TECHNICIANS QUICKLY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE (IT WAS NEAR CLOSING TIME). THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT READ THE CODES OTHER THAN THE SRS FAULT. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD LIKELY BE CHEAPER TO FIX AT A BODY SHOP THAN AT THE DEALER. I LATER FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEATBELT HAD ALSO DEPLOYED AND WAS TIGHTENED.

NHTSA complaint #11021798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED SO THAT AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OVER 300,000 TIMES, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC BRAKE UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SURPASSED THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY SIX MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA complaint #11012501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

CAR HAS "SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM", SBC, THAT UPON FAILURE RENDERS THE CAR UNSAFE AS ONLY THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES WILL HAVE PARTIAL HYDRAULIC POWER TO STOP THE CAR. REF: MB BULLETIN "S142.46-P-0012A" FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING OR BRAKE DEGRADATION. MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL TRANSITORY FAILURES AS I WAS DRIVING. ONLY TURNING OFF THE KEY AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN DID I REGAIN NORMAL BRAKING. ALSO UPON SBC FAILURE THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH A FUNCTIONING REVERSION TO "HYDRAULIC MODE." MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECALL AND REPLACE ALL SBC UNITS ASAP TO ELIMINATE THIS "TIME BOMB."

NHTSA complaint #10944461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

PERSISTENT SMELL OF DIESEL IN CABIN AFTER FILLING TANK. LEAK ISOLATED TO RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) FUEL SENDER CAP UNDER REAR SEATS. SAME AS GASOLINE VERSIONS, THIS REALLY HAPPENS IN THE CDI OR DIESEL VERSIONS AS WELL. THE WARRANTY EXTENSION/RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THESE CARS AS WELL!

NHTSA complaint #10865269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF MY E320 CDI, THERE IS ALSO AN INTENSE FUEL SMELL, IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THAT THE NHTSA PREVIOUSLY ORDERED MERCEDES TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS ON ALL 2003-2009 E-CLASS MERCEDES, BUT MERCEDES SAYS IT ONLY APPLIES TO GASOLINE ENGINES.

NHTSA complaint #10836235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE INSULATION COVERING THE ELECTRICAL WIRING THAT POWERS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES HAS FAILED AND CRUMBLED AWAY EXPOSING THE BARE COPPER WIRE. THIS CIRCUIT POWERS TWO HALOGEN 55 WATT BULBS (110 WATTS TOTAL OR ~10 AMPS) AT 12 VOLTS. THE INSULATION FAILURE WILL PRESENT AN IMMEDIATE VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD IF THE ELECTRICAL PROTECTION FUSE FAILS TO ACTUATE AS A RESULT OF THE SHORT CIRCUIT CREATED BY POTENTIAL BARE WIRE CONTACT. IF THE ELECTRICAL PROTECTION FUSE DOES ACTUATE PROPERLY THE CAR WILL LOSE FORWARD ILLUMINATION WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION AT NIGHT. IN EITHER INSTANCE A PROPERTY AND PERSONAL HAZARD CAN RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT. THIS DEFECT CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY TO THE WIRE MERCEDES BENZ SELECTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CIRCUITRY. EITHER THE GAUGE OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INSUFFICIENT TO DISSIPATE THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE CURRENT FLOW THE CIRCUIT DEMANDS OR THE INSULATION OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AS EVIDENCED BY ITS CRUMBLING DETERIORATION FOR A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IN EITHER CASE THIS WIRING FAILURE CONSTITUTES A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL AND CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER AT HIS EXPENSE. THE DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE A FAILED LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB, A MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY THAT CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO BE PERFORMED A NUMBER OF TIMES DURING THE VEHICLE'S LIFESPAN. THE DEFECTIVE INSULATION WAS IMMEDIATELY EVIDENT BY VISUAL AND TACTILE OBSERVATION. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEAR AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD WAS PRESENT AND THAT THE LIGHTING COULD NOT BE USED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE UNDER CONDITION WHEN THE LIGHTING CIRCUIT MIGHT BE OPERATED.

NHTSA complaint #10807129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INSULATION COVERING THE ELECTRICAL WIRING THAT POWERS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES HAS FAILED AND CRUMBLED AWAY EXPOSING THE BARE COPPER WIRE. THIS CIRCUIT POWERS TWO HALOGEN 55 WATT BULBS (110 WATTS TOTAL OR ~10 AMPS) AT 12 VOLTS. THE INSULATION FAILURE WILL PRESENT AN IMMEDIATE VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD IF THE ELECTRICAL PROTECTION FUSE FAILS TO ACTUATE AS A RESULT OF THE SHORT CIRCUIT CREATED BY POTENTIAL BARE WIRE CONTACT. IF THE ELECTRICAL PROTECTION FUSE DOES ACTUATE PROPERLY THE CAR WILL LOSE FORWARD ILLUMINATION WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION AT NIGHT. IN EITHER INSTANCE A PROPERTY AND PERSONAL HAZARD CAN RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT. THIS DEFECT CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY TO THE WIRE MERCEDES BENZ SELECTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CIRCUITRY. EITHER THE GAUGE OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INSUFFICIENT TO DISSIPATE THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE CURRENT FLOW THE CIRCUIT DEMANDS OR THE INSULATION OF THE WIRE SELECTED IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AS EVIDENCED BY ITS CRUMBLING DETERIORATION FOR A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IN EITHER CASE THIS WIRING FAILURE CONSTITUTES A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL AND CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER AT HIS EXPENSE. THE DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE A FAILED LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB, A MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY THAT CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO BE PERFORMED A NUMBER OF TIMES DURING THE VEHICLE'S LIFESPAN. THE DEFECTIVE INSULATION WAS IMMEDIATELY EVIDENT BY VISUAL AND TACTILE OBSERVATION. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEAR AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD WAS PRESENT AND THAT THE LIGHTING COULD NOT BE USED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE UNDER CONDITION WHEN THE LIGHTING CIRCUIT MIGHT BE OPERATED.

NHTSA complaint #10807129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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. . MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. 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 AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10780142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING I GOT THIS WARNING " BRAKE SERVICE BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP.(COLOR BLACK)" I WENT TO A CERTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ SHOP AND GOT A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS STATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE POWER SUPPLY ACCUMULATION OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER, I NEVER RECEIVED FROM MERCEDES-BENZ A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10763421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. 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 AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10726285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DURING RENEWAL OF HEADLAMP BULBS I FOUND THAT INSULATION HAD BROKEN OFF LEAVING SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF BARE CONDUCTORS. WIRES ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER AND IF THEY TOUCH THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF LIGHTING OR ELECTRICAL FIRE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD, IT LIKECOULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC CRASH. THIS IS COMMONLY DISCUSSED BY OWNERS IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ FORUMS. I AM SURPRISED THAT MERCEDES HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO RECALL W211S FROM 2003 TO 2009 MODEL YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10704589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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. MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. 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 AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10682662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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. MERCEDES HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. 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 AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10672013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. 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 AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10671680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A TO NATHANIEL HAYES AT DOT.GOV WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. 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 AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 10/6/2015

NHTSA complaint #10670742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FILLED THE FUEL TANK WITH DIESEL. DROVE 240 MILES TO DESTINATION. UPON ARRIVING, SMELLED DIESEL VERY STRONG AT RIGHT REAR NEAR FUEL CAP AND UNDER TIRE WELL. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SAW POSSIBLE DIESEL LEAKING. BOUGHT NEW FILE TANK THINKING THAT MAY SOLVE BUT KEPT SMELLING IT SO I DRIVE TO MB DEALER IN FORT PIERCE, FL. DEALER STATED FUEL TANK LEAK WITH ESTIMATE OF $3500. SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING ON OTHER W211 CARS AS WELL. FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CARS. THIS IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE ON A SUPPOSEDLY "SAFE" CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10659120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.