2004 Mercedes Benz E320

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility); however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the sunroof glass was manufactured in a year outside of the year stated in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the sunroof glass was not covered under the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

To Whom It May Concern, I took my 2004 Mercedes-Benz into the Stevens Creek location located in San Jose, CA 95129 to have the sliding roof bonding recall fixed on December 24, 2024. I have attached the repair invoice to this complaint. It has now been almost two full months and I am still being blocked from updating my vehicle registration because my vehicle needs to complete an Official Brake and Light Adjustment Certification. However, the recall vin lookup page (https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/) has been showing my recall as incomplete for almost two full months now. The mechanic that performs the Brake and Light inspection says the vehicle will fail the test until the recall vin lookup page displays a 0 for my vehicle. Once again, this issue is preventing me from updating my vehicle registration until the recall vin lookup page shows the successful completion of the vehicle recall performed on December 24, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz of Stevens Creek. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SBC braking system stated as covered under 25 year/unlimited miles warranty. SBC system failed on 2/1/25. Vehicle towed to local dealer service facility on 2/3/25. Tow was authorized at no charge by MB Roadside Assistance at no charge plus $100.00 credit toward diagnostic. Was told by phone on 2/3/25 that upon confirmation that SBC did in fact fail, the SBC replacement would be performed at no charge due to warranty through 2028. As of 2/10/25 service facility did confirm that the SBC system had failed. Currently, MB USA has a HOLD pending for authorization of repairs, with no reason given as to why as of 2/13/25.

The sunroof has a recall due to the fact that it has a bad seal, which could fly off due to this issue. I know the seal is bad because the whole roof leaked a few years ago and fried all the electronic; e.g. lights, sunroof controls, trunk light controls, side door controls. I went to the dealership and they said they would not fix it because they could not open the sunroof to see the manufacturer date on it.

The driver's side mirror auto-dim function failed (as theorized by simple research where others have this issue) December 2023 and leaked a liquid behind the glass causing blurriness, double vision, and extremely dim reflection. This makes it difficult to safely judge other traffic using the mirror and seems very dangerous while driving. It also seems to present a risk of misjudging any other objects on the road which are reliant on this mirror. The equivalent replacement mirror glass alone is prohibitively expensive and Mercedes-Benz USA was contacted twice for help and refused to provide help or replacement. Neither the manufacturer nor another entity has inspected it yet. The mirror is available for inspection upon request. The passenger side view mirror is not auto-dimming so there is no issue.

The glue around front windshield has deteriorated and has caused major damage to my interior lights, electrical essemblys , interior damage to seats , dash board and flooring. Including the trunk seal is also deteriorated and causing the battery to stop working and has made my car non drivable.

Mercedes Benz has a KNOWN safety problem with this model and has not put it under recall yet and it needs to be. The wire casing in the wiring harness for the headlights crumbles and leaves exposed wires that touch, short, and draw causing dim headlights. Due to being cited for dim headlights the night before, I called MBUSA on December 27 2023 and they initially REFUSED to take a case from me.

The TRUNK will not open. It is supposed to open by pressing the button on the key fob or taking the thin key out of the key fob and manually open the truck with the keyed lock. Neither method works. There is absolutely no way to open the trunk otherwise (i.e. inside button or lever). When the key fob button and the thin key do not work there is absolutely no way to open the truck. There is no way to access the lock from the trunk lid rear and there is no way to access the trunk from behind the back seat cushions. It is a very bad situation and dangerous.

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that the headliner had detached from the sunroof causing rainwater to enter the interior of the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was documented as completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the recall repair was not completed, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that the sunroof was manually closed by the dealer and advised the contact to never open the sunroof. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 equipped with Arroyo Tires, Tire Line: Grand Sport ZR A/S, Tire Size: 225/55/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an unusual sound coming from the rear tires. The contact parked the vehicle and became aware that the rear tires tread had separated, and the steel belts were visible. The tires were not replaced. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the tires were replacement tires purchased at Pep Boys. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 250,000. The tire failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

The rear passenger side inside door handle will not open the door. This is an unacceptable safety hazard.

October 26, 2022 my 2004 Mercedes model E320 W211 VIN # [XXX] dash pop out warning " Brake Wearing visit workshop" October 27, 2022 I had the brake pads and wear sensors both replaced and test drive verified car running normal for 30 minutes then dash pop out RED warning "Brake malfunction stop vehicle" plus transmission shifter stick to parking port can not be shift to other position, so can not drive and car being forced to stop on the road, I managed to press the lock off so can shift out of parking but there has no brake function when driving, I called MB USA and being advised that my car qualified to 25 years extended warranty for SBC hydraulic pump repair, 2005070007 2005110001 but when I tow my car to Mercedes dealer they said it only repair the Recall: 2020040011 - Sliding Roof Bonding - Phase 2, but the SBC Hydraulic pump may be at additional service charges, Please help investigate why Mercedes USA said it is under 25 years extended warranty while dealer said it might not qualify? car can not drive because of the SBC hydraulic pump problem and defected the driving safety? Best Regards/[XXX] email: [XXX] tel: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Total brake failure Had to cross the over to the other side of the road to turn around. Was almost hit by an oncoming big rig truck . I've looked it up and this is a common occurrence on these vehicles,! They have a SBC unit that has caused numerous incidents exactly like mine . Someone could easily be killed because of this defect. I've read that they extended the warranty for 25 years . But I haven't been notified. They notified me about a recall of the sun roof but not this!!

My car seat belts not fastened and car door warning devices stop working. I took it to the Mercedes service department and told and showed them the safety system was not warning me when my door was not properly closed or when I removed the seat belt while driving. They told me that they needed to replace my instrument cluster in order to fix the issue. They charged me almost $2300.00 to change the panel. When I went to pick the vehicle up. And I drove off and took my seat belt off to see if the repair was done and no warning light came on. I than while driving through a parking lot open my door and no warning happened. Now the dealership is telling me that their is nothing they can do to address this dangerous safety issue and that I have no recourse to get what I paid for. Because Mercedes Benz Corp will not allow them to code the new instrument cluster. I was driving one day and did not realize the door was ajar until I hit a bump and heard the rattling. I have spoken with other Mercedes Benz owners of my model and found they've had this problem, but it is just too expensive to repair. I have been dealing with this now since December of 2021 and now no one from the dealership is returning any calls or offered a answer to this issue. I have spoken with the Service Director last on February 7 2022. And he has not reached out to me since.

Extreme Gas Odor after filling gas tank and during time of driving.

The vehicle will flood after being exposed to rain which has caused all sorts of electrical issues. I have read online where several others have filed lawsuits regarding E class Mercedes for similar issues. The car’s interior will take on water and since there’s several electrical components running along the floor board of the car they will become damaged and cause the car’s computers and electrical system to go crazy. I picked up my car from having the oil changed at a local service shop a few days after it was repaired and I was driving back home after the service pick up and the car completely lost power. I got out of the car and opened the trunk in which I had to do so by using the key inside of the key fob. When I opened the trunk, I noticed that there was a little bit of water in the trunk which led me to open the back door and to my surprise there was standing water behind the driver seat. I checked the driver floor and it was soaked as well. I had the car towed back to the shop where I had the oil changed and the owner did not have the available equipment to test the car. I dried the car out over the next several days and drove to a local Mercedes dealership where they told me to do a full diagnostic on the car it would cost upwards of $19k. Are you kidding me? Now I know from reading others stories that this isn’t an unknown issue. So, what do I do now…file an insurance claim? I guess that would be the next step but they’ll turn around and get the money right back o

DRIVER IS EXPERIENCING A HEAVY ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FILL UP. VEHICLE IS NOT OVERFILLED/TOPPED OFF. VEHICLE WAS SITTING INSIDE GARAGE WHEN OWNER NOTICED A HEAVY FUEL ODOR AND NOTIFIED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE. PER RECOMMENDATIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, KEEP VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE UNTIL ISSUE COULD BE INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC. MECHANIC INSPECTED FUEL SYSTEM AND FOUND FUEL LEAK UNDER REAR SEATS NEAR FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES REPAIR ISSUE SAYING IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS ARE ESPECIALLY HEAVY INSIDE A SINGLE CAR GARAGE, AND IF A IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED IT COULD BECOME FATAL.

I FILLED THE GAS TANK FULL AND ON PULLING IN THE GARAGE COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE... WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGE THE NEXT DAY AND THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED HE COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM MY CAR AT VALVOLINE OIL CHANGE.... VERY STRONG SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS WELL AS WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR YOU COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GAS... THE GENTLEMAN FROM VALVOLINE LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAID THERE'S SOME TYPE OF COVER THAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK ITSELF AND PUT HIS FINGER INTO IT AND COULD TOUCH GASOLINE ON HIS HAND... I JUST WENT ONTO THE INTERNET AND READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED... IN THOSE COMPLAINTS THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT THEIR CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REMEDY AND THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL... AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE BIT AND REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK THE SMELL HAS SUBSIDED SOMEWHAT... THOSE COMPLAINTS ALSO MENTION THAT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WITH THIS TYPE OF LEAK

ON 12/16/2020 WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES ON MY VEHICLE FAILED. A RED WARNING TRIANGLE APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THE CARS BRAKING ABILITY WAS SEVERELY REDUCED AND TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC COULD FIND NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE RED WARNING LIGHT WAS GONE AND THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY/RECALL FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CAR RELATED TO BRAKE FAILURE. MERCEDES WILL REPLACE THE SENSORTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (SBC) FREE PROVIDED THE CORRECT CODES ARE EVIDENT WHEN THEY DIAGNOSE THE CAR.(SAFETY RECALL #2005110001 I BELIEVE) MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE ARE NO CODES SHOWING FOR THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES ARE NOW FUNCTIONING. MY ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS CAN BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE RELUCTANT OR WILL NOT REPLACE THE SBC IF THERE ARE NO CODES. AFTER CONTACTING MERCEDES THE CAR IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I TYPE THIS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT MERCEDES WILL DO THE CORRECT THING AND REPLACE THEIR ADMITTEDLY FLAWED BRAKE MODULE BUT IT ISN'T LOOKING GOOD AS THEY SAID IF THE CORRECT CODES DO NOT APPEAR THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. THE INSANE IDEA THAT I AM EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE BRAKES FAIL AGAIN IN ORDER TO GET THEM REPLACED IS UNACCEPTABLE. I'M IN A NO WIN SITUATION.

SENSOR TONIC BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT IN INTERMITTENTLY

BACK AIR BAG BEHIND DRIVER LOST AIR WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IN TO REPAIR THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AIR LINE. THEY REPAIRED BUT SAME THING HAPPENED LEAVING REPAIR SHOP AT AN INTERSECTION. ALL THE LIGHT TURNED ON TO STOP DRIVING JUST LIKE BEFORE. I TOWED BACK TO SHOP.THEY SAID THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDED TO ALL BE REPLACED.MY ONLY REASON TO FILE THIS IS THE FEAR I HAD OF GETTING HURT OR HURTING OTHER BY MY VEHICLE JUST BEING UNDRIVABLE WHILE IN MOTION ON MAJOR INTSECTION.THIS PROBLEM OCCURED BEFORE BUT ALWAYS WHEN LEAVING MY HOME SO ID JUST WAIT FOR THE AIR SUSPENSION SELF CORRECT. WHICH IT HAD BEFORE.I WAS ONLY GOING 15MPG OR SO WHEN IT GAVE OUT I WAS APPROCHING MY RIGHT HAND TURN. WE ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH MORE DETAILS AND DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E 320. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED BRAKE MALFUNCTION STOP VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PROVIDED A DIAGNOSIS OVER THE PHONE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

HEAVY FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY STRUCTURES COULD CATCH FIRE IF FUEL IS LEAKING AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED. ONLY VIABLE REASON WHY FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT IS EITHER THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT A LOCATION OR THE VENT HAS FAILED. VEHICLE FUEL ODOR IS ESPECIALLY STRONG IF VEHICLE WAS FILLED UP RECENTLY BUT IS PRESENT 24/7.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BLUE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUOUSLY PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS (9250 BEVERLY BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210, (310) 659-2980) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS PERCEIVED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER DEALER (703-284-2500, LOCATED AT 624 S GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA 22204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CANISTER VALVE AND PURGE VALVE SHUT OFF AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VALVES AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IN THE GARAGE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAIRFIELD (165 COMMERCE DRIVE, FAIRFIELD, CT 06825) STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK SEAL MAY BE FAULTY. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A FUEL TANK SEAL AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR HAS BECOME STEADILY WORSE AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I INQUIRED HOW THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED, I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE DUE TO IMPACT OR TRAUMA (WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY INCIDENT). WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,300.00 TO REPAIR VEHICLE. CALLED MB-USA AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST. AS THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE, I HAD THE WORK PERFORMED AND RECEIVED A 10% "GOODWILL" DISCOUNT. PICKED UP VEHICLE AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE AND CONTINUED TO SMELL FUEL. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAME TO PICK-UP. ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY DID NOT TIGHTEN A CLAMP OR SOMETHING. WE PICKED IT UP AGAIN AND THE ODOR WAS PERSISTENT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WE SUBSEQUENTLY TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. BOTTOM LINE.... I DO NOT THINK THAT A FUEL TANK SHOULD FAIL ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. I HAVE THE OLD TANK AND BELIEVE THAT MB SHOULD REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE TANK.

FUEL TANK LEAK, SMELL GAS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE MERCEDES-BENZ (255 SMOKEY PARK HIGHWAY, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806, (828)667-5213) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,015.

WHILE PARKED, ENGINE WOULD DIE IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED IT. MECHANIC DISCOVERED FUEL SEEPING OUT OF TOP OF FUEL SENDING UNIT IN FUEL TANK.

THE SHIFTER MODULE IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, WHEN IN DRIVE, IT STAYS IN 2ND GEAR ONLY. TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, I MUST SHUT THE ENGINE. OTHERWISE I CAN'T SHIFT FROM D TO N TO R. THE SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE PAST NEUTRAL. TO GET TO P OR R, I MUST SHUT THE ENGINE. THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN TRYING TO BACK INTO A CITY STREET PARKING. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, AFTER STARTING IT, ONCE I SHIFT FROM P TO R & ARRIVE AT N, THE SHIFTER WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO SHIFT BACK INTO R WITHOUT SHUTTING THE ENGINE & THEN RESTARTING IT.

AFTER FILLED UP THE CAR WITH GAS. STRONG GAS ODOR AND GAS LEAKING FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR OF CAR. WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE EXTREMELY UNSAFE!!!

THER IS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR WHEN THE TANK IS OVER 3/4 FULL. DANGEROUS FIRE HARZARD. THINK THAT IT IS A RECALL ISSUE.

SBC BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE GOT IT TOWED THE REPAIR COST $1600.00 TO REPAIR. I CALL MBZ THEY SAID NO HELP FOR ME.

OEM BRAKES

THE SBC CONTROL UNIT FAILED. THERE WAS A RED WARNING LIGHT ON DASH, THAT WHEN I WAS IN THE ROAD THE BRAKES JUST ABOUT FAILED. WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TRIED TO START AGAIN IT WOULD NOT LET ME MOVE IT FROM PARK POSITION. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL AND DRIVE TO PULL IN POSITION FOR THE TOW TRUCK. IN READING UP ON THE WEB THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SBC CONTROL UNIT. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE CLOSE TO HOME BUT THIS IS A REALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MERCEDES PUT A LIMIT ON THE UNIT TO SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY WAY TO TELL US OWNERS WHEN THIS WILL HIT THEIR LIMIT. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPAIR ALL OF THESE SBC CONTROL UNITS OR AT LEAST FIND A WAY TO TELL US WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THEY DID KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE SBC UNIT FOR TEN YEARS, BUT DEPENDING HOW OFTEN YOU USED IT DETERMINES THE BREAK DOWN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.WHICH MEANT IF YOU HAD AN OLDER CAR YOU PAID FOR SOMETHING THEY FORCE TO BREAK. THERE IS AN APP $30 THAT CAN RESET THE AMOUNT OF BRAKING YOU HAVE DONE AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TO FIX THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A $2000 REPAIR THAT MERCEDES WILL CHARGE YOU FOR A WHOLE NEW SBC UNIT. WHY DON'T THE DEALERS HAVE THIS APP? WHY DO WE LET THE MANUFACTURERS GET AWAY WITH FORCING PARTS TO SEEMINGLY BREAK SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY?

A WARNING SIGNAL APPEARED ON BY DASH BOARD CITING BRAKES, TAKE TO SHOP. THE MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER PUT ON FRONT BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS. I WAS TOLD TODED TO REPLACE THE SBC UNITED BECAUSE IT WAS "TIMED OUT" AND THE BRAKES COULD FAIL.THE COST OF UNIT IS $2418.32. THIS IS LIFE THREATENING.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKE AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD RESPOND WITH A SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR WHEN FUEL TANK IS COMPLETELY FILLED. STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A RED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REGARDING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS STABILIZER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNCIAN SPECULATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

HEAVY ODOR OF GASOLINE IN GARAGE AFTER FILL-UP.

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.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD, WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND MY ESP CAME ON, VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND ALMOST RAN ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH THEN CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE DITCH. NOW I'M FINDING OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SBC UNIT, WHICH IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT THE RECALL IS NOT SHOWING UP FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I AM VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED/FRUSTRATED BY MERCEDES. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MY CAR, WHICH IS NOW SITTING DUE TO IT NOT STARTING, ESPECIALLY IF OTHER SAME YEAR VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED AND THEIRS IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I THINK THE ENTIRE SITUATION IS RIDICULOUS! I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER MERCEDES!!! *TR

GAS SMELL ALL THE TIME, MAIN COMPUTER KEEPS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY, BRAKES LIGHTS

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320 THAT I HAVE BOUGHT 3 YEARS AGO IN NOVEMBER. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I ELECTED TO ALSO BUY A 3 YEAR 36K WARRANTY. OVER THE PAST 3 YEAR I HAVE HAD NO TO VERY LITTLE TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE MAINTAINED A VERY POSITIVE AND OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE VEHICLE NEVER HAVING TO UTILIZE THE WARRANTY. WELL UNTIL LAST WEEK... I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALL BRAKING POWER OUT OF NOWHERE. I WAS PETRIFIED AND VERY SCARED FOR MYSELF AND EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE, ONLY GETTING A "REDUCED BRAKING POWER" NOTICE ON THE DASH AFTER BRAKE LOSS. RECOLLECTING THAT IF THIS OCCURRED IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AND OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE REACTION OF THE SBC UNIT THAT FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. COME TO FIND OUT MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC FAILED UNIT AND MERCEDES BENZ OFFERED A 10 YEAR 150K MILE WARRANTY TO FIX THIS ISSUE IN THE VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY BY THE TIME THAT I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HAD I KNOW THIS WAS AN ISSUE, I WOULD HAVE ONLY HAD A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FOR THE UNIT TO FAIL BEFORE I COULD HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS "WARRANTY".. BUT I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HONESTLY WOULD HAVE NOT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN. I COMMUTED WITH THIS VEHICLE 60 MILES A DAY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND EVEN DROVE IT TO CALIFORNIA OVER THE SUMMER AS A FAMILY TRIP, WITH NO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OR MALFUNCTIONS. I CANNOT SAY THAT I CAN DRIVE THIS VEHICLE

TAKATA RECALL. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON FEW MONTHS AGO. WE HAD REPLACED BRAKE PADS ETC, EARLIER AND WAS TOLD THE SBC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT TO 2 DEALERS IN MY AREA AND THEY BOTH STATED IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE READ MANY COMMENTS ABOUT THE FAULTY DESIGN FROM MBENZ AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE IT AT THEIR COST. ARE THEY WAITING FOR LAWYERS TO SUE FOR A FATAL CRASH? I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE ONE DYING NOR ANYONE IN MY FAMILY. THE CAR HAS ONLY 106,331 MILES. CAN YOU HELP?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED CLOSE TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ?BRAKE LONGER DISTANCE VISIT WORKSHOP? WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED IN RED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A FATAL CRASH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO COVER TEN PERCENT OF THE COST, BUT THE OFFER WAS DECLINED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL REMEDY COULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNLESS THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A SERVICE NOT RELATED TO A RECALL, WHICH WAS WHY THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REMEDY FOR THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY RELATED TO THE FAILURE THAT EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 60 MPH MY INSTRUMENT MESSAGE DISPLAY SUDDENLY TURNED RED, STARTED BEEPING CONTINUOUSLY, AND DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE "STOP BREAK DEFECTIVE STOP VEHICLE". THE CAR HAD ZERO BREAKS, PUMPING THEM DID NO GOOD, AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARDS, DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW THE CAR, AND PULL OFF THE FREEWAY AND PARK USING THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO AVOID A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. WHILE WAITING FOR HELP I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AFTER 15 MINUTES AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING FINE. MY CAR IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND IT GAVE NO INDICATION OF ANY BREAK PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. IT HAD A FULL BREAK JOB AT THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER LESS THEN 30K MILES AGO AND WAS SERVICED FOR ANOTHER ISSUE IN THE LAST 1.5 YEARS. AT NO TIME WERE MY BREAKS MENTIONED AS NEEDING MAINTENANCE. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, SEE "2004 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS BRAKE FOUNDATION COMPONENTS TSB (BULLETIN SB-090930)" WHERE IT IS MENTIONED. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE THAT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE BREAK SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE. MY CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY COVERED IN THE TSB REFERENCED ABOVE. THIS SBC BREAKING SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PERMITTED ON THE ROAD. MERCEDES BENZ REALIZED THE MISTAKE AND DISCONTINUED THE USE OF IT AFTER 3 YEARS DUE TO ALL OF THE ISSUES. ANY CAR WITH THIS SYSTEM IS A TICKING TIME BOMB THAT COULD PUT ANY NUMBER OF LIVES AT RISK WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. AT LEAST WI

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY AND BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING. I COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS OR STOP. I ONLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE CAR FINALLY ROLLED TO A STOP. THIS WAS UNBELIEVABLE TERRIFYING. I HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST MERCEDES MECHANIC. I PAID THE $1394.00 AND MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICES SAYS I HAVE NO RECOURSE BECAUSE I AM OUT OF THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS CAR PULLED OUT BLINDLY ONTO THE CITY STREET. THIS HAPPENED LATE AT NIGHT WITH NO WARNING. I AM STILL SHAKEN UP BY HOW SUDDENLY THIS HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE THAT I ONCE HELD IN SUCH HIGH ESTEEM.