FaultScore

2006 Mercedes Benz E320 brake problems

17 of the 49 complaints about the 2006 Mercedes Benz E320 are about the braking system — 35% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 129,999 miles.

F

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 15 88.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 11.8%

Brakes across every Mercedes Benz E320 year

2003 78 39.0%
2004 50 25.0%
2005 55 27.5%
2006 17 8.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Garland, TX

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.

at 65,000 miles Chennai, India, 600059, ID

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.

at 200,000 miles Friendswood, TX

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.

at 127,000 miles Roselle, NJ

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.

at 149,000 miles Groveland, FL

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.

at 78,000 miles ST. Marys, KS

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.

at 132,998 miles SAN Bruno, CA

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.

at 91,468 miles Miam, FL

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.

at 151,000 miles Little Rock, AR

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.

Knoxville, TN

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.

at 172,322 miles Mebane, NC

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.

at 135,000 miles Gillett, WI

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.

Shawano, WI

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.

at 136,042 miles Canyon Lake, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

NEAR TOTAL AND INSTANTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE, VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR, THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO ENTER PARKING LOT TO STOP. AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DASH ILLUMINATED RED AND NOTIFIED OF BRAKE FAILURE, PUSHING PEDAL TO FLOOR BARELY PROVIDED ANY BRAKING AT ALL. AFTER KEY OFF CYCLES EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE NORMAL AGAIN. HUGE CONFIDENCE LOSS IN VEHICLE, VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR AT SPEED, NOT GOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10562339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Miami, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

MI WIFE WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE TO WORK WHEN AT THE SECOND TURN BEFORE EXITING TO A MAIN STREET THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY WITH RED LIGHT WARNING ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY COLLAPSED WITHOUT ANY EFFORT TO STOP. DO TO THE LOW SPEED OF MOVEMENT MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR IN TO THE SIDEWALK AND PUT IT TO PARK. SHE LEFT THE CAR AT THE LOCATION AND USED OUR SPARE TO GO TO WORK. MY MECHANIC COULD NOD BE CERTAIN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE THE CAR HAS BEING PERFORMING NORMAL SINCE. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE DO TO UNCERTAINTY THAT MAY HAPPEN UNDER HIGHER SPEED AND GET INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10508478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,042 miles East Berlin, PA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DRIVING EAST ON US 30 IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC ON WET PAVEMENT (DUE TO PREVIOUS RAIN) BETWEEN TORONITO STREET AND LOUCKS MILL ROAD IN YORK, PA, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN TO STAY WITH THE TRAFFIC AND REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, I APPLIED FULL PRESSURE EXPECTING THE ABS TO ACTIVATE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AHEAD WHICH WENT INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE IMPACT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS. MY SEAT BELT HELD ME BUT I DID RECEIVE WHIP-LASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOTALED MY CAR. *TR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ STATING THE IMPACT DAMAGE WAS BELOW AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLDS AND THE EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE, REVEALED NO DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. UPDATED IVOQ 01/06/12.

NHTSA complaint #10433501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Church Road, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERY 4-6 WEEKS DUE TO A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL THE SWITCHES RELATING TO THE BRAKES, THE COMPUTER WAS SHUT DOWN THREE TIMES, SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AND THE BALL IN THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, WHICH ALLOWED CARBON DIOXIDE TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE NINTH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 10/14/08

NHTSA complaint #10243094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

← Full 2006 Mercedes Benz E320 report