2005 Mercedes Benz E320 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE STATUTE TO RECEIVE AN EXTENDED SERVICE CAMPAIGN EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

THE CAR HAS FUEL (GASOLINE) VAPORS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT OR THE FUEL PUMP IN THE SADDLE GAS TANK UNDER THE BACK SEATS LEAKS GASOLINE AND THE SMELL MAKES ME SICK. I AM AFRAID THE CAR WILL EXPLODE IF THE VAPOR IS PRESENT AT THE COMBUSTIBLE RATIO OF GASOLINE TO AIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320CDI. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND AND AN EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DISPLAY TURNED RED WITH WARNING MESSAGE "BRAKE DEFECTIVE STOP VEHICLE"- BRAKES BECAME STIFF. CAR WAS IN LIMP MODE. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER IN FRESNO. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN "SBC BRAKE CONTROLLER FAILURE". THEY TOLD ME THAT THESE HAD BEEN TROUBLESOME FOR YEARS, THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN DISCONTINUED BECAUSE OF UNRELIABLITY OF THE BRAKES, AND MERCEDES WOULD NOT COVER REPAIR COST.

I HAD SUDDEN AND ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF BREAKING. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN A RURAL AREA SO THERE WAS LITTLE DANGER. HOWEVER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE HAD THIS HAPPENED IN INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I WAS ON A SLIGHT HILL AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED WITHOUT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I HAD TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO TRY AND DIAGNOSE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THEN THE CAR LOCKED UP IN PARK SO IT COULDN'T EVEN BE PUSHED. THE DEAL WOUND UP REPLACING THE SBC PUMP AND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER WHICH WAS DAMAGED DURING MY EFFORTS TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 110,400 MILES AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED THE ENTIRE TIME.

AFTER BEING TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT SBC GOING INTO EMERGENCY MODE HE STATED HE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF RECALL CALLED MERCEDES IN LAGUNA NIGUEL TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL CAR BLOW OFF . BUT THERE WAS EXTENDED WARRANTY 10 YEARS NO LETTER NOW RED WARNING OTHER DAY AND COULD BARELY STOP THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR 2007 NOW THEY TOLD ME OHH THERE WAS ONE NOW EXPIRED VERY VERY UNHAPPY AND SCARED TO DRIVE NOW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. ONE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,809.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

BOUGHT USED ONE OWNER CAR W/88,500 MILES IN JULY 2015. AFTER DRIVING ONLY 200 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START, IT WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CODES READ CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, GENERATOR. MECHANIC REPLACED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND REPAIRED WIRE TO IT. DID NOT REPLACE ALTERNATOR. CALLED AND ADVISED CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP. PICKED UP CAR AND DROVE LESS THAN 2 MILES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO REMOVED CODES. DROVE ANOTHER 5 MILES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. HE DIDN'T ANSWER PHONE, DROVE HOME IN LIMP MODE WHERE IT SAT FOR OVER A MONTH WHEN ANOTHER MECHANIC WAS WILLING TO TACKLE JOB. HE PUT ON NEW ALTERNATOR AND DRIVE BELT. CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS BAD AGAIN AND HE REPLACED IT. CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO MB IN FRANKLIN, TN WHO SAID ECM/ ECU MODULE BAD. REPLACED IT AND THEN SAID BATTERIES BAD, AND ALTERNATOR BAD. THEY REPLACED BATTERIES BUT LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD THEM ALTERNATOR WAS WORKING FINE WHEN IT WAS PUT IN CAR. CAR TOWED BACK TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CHECKED AND SAID ALTERNATOR WAS INDEED BAD NOW AND HE REPLACED IT WITH ONE HE CHECKED OUT AGAIN BEFORE INSTALLING. NOW THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT BEING ALLOWED TO CHARGE THE SYSTEM AND IS BEING TOWED BACK TO MB IN FRANKLIN, TN. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT MB HAS BEEN INSTALLING DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESSES IN THEIR CARS SINCE THE 1990'S AND THEY KNOW IT BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS TO THOSE TO YELL THE LOUDEST BECAUSE THERE ARE SUPPOSED

CAR HAS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. UPON REMOVAL OF BACK SEAT IT APPEARS WET WITH GAS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2016 ON MY E320 (2005) BENZ AND THE ODOR STARTED TO GIVE ME HEADACHES. I TOOK CAR FOR SHAMPOO AND THEN CONSULTED WITH MECHANIC WHO REMOVED BACK SEAT AND FOUND WET AREA WITH GAS.

I HAVE A 2005 E320 MERCEDES BENZ. EVERY TIME WE FILL THE TANK WE GET A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN THE SMELL DISSIPATES. THE SMELL IS COMING FROM UNDER THE REAR SEATS. I SUSPECT THE SEAL ON THE GAS TANK HAS FAILED. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURE. IT IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. MY CONCERN IS FUEL FUMES CAN IMPAIR ONES DRIVING ABILITY AND LEAKING FUEL CAN CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RE-CALL TO CORRECT.

HELLO, I WAS CONCERN ABOUT MY CAR EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TO FULL TANK EVERY TIME I PARK MY CAR INSIDE THE GARAGE IT SMELL GAS AND SMELL BADLY..IM WORRIED IT MIGHT CAUSE FIRE BECAUSE MY WATER HEATER IS INSIDE THE GARAGE..SO PLS. LET ME KNOW IF ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR..THANKS

SENSED STRONG GAS ODOR AT FILL UP. INVESTIGATE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS THIS KNOWN ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL.? HAD MB MECHANIC LOOK AND FOUND LEAKING GAS UNDER REAR SEAT NEAR FUEL PUMP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED AND PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP MAY FAIL WITH NO WARNING, REDUCING BRAKING POWER BY 80-90%. PUMP HAS "KNOWN" SERVICE LIFE BUT DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO SCAN FOR REMAINING LIFE. PUMP FAILURE RENDERS THE CAR NON-DRIVABLE, WITH TOWING REQUIRED, AND REPLACEMENT OF PUMP IS TYPICALLY BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,500.

REPLACED BATTERY (30 DAYS AGO) AND NOW WARNING LIGHT COMES ON SAYING I NEED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY 10 MILES AND WILL NOT GO OFF. BRAKE LIGHTS (ABS AND ESP) LIGHTS COMNE ON AND NOTHING IS WRONG WHEN IT IS BEING REPAIRS. FILLED UP MY CAR YESTERDAY AND STRONG GAS FUMES IN THE CAR AND IN MY GARAGE. MADE ME NAUSEATED. READ THIS WAS RECALL FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL.

RE COMPLAINT NUMBER 10778442 SINCE THE LAST REPORT THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. INITIALLY THE GASOLINE FUMES WOULD OCCUR WHILE THE TANK WAS MORE THAN 1/2 FULL. NOW THE FUMES ARE VERY VERY STRONG WHEN THE TANK IS FULL BUT REMAIN STRONG EVEN AS THE FUEL INDICATOR NEARS THE EMPTY MARK. THIS THIS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND MY FAMILY AND MYSELF CANNOT REMAIN IN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A FEW MOMENTS. THE FUME ARE OVERPOWERING AND THIS IS A MAJOR HEALTH CONCERN WISE AS WELL AS A CHANCE OF FIRE.

AFTER FUELING AND THE GAS TANK INDICATOR SHOWS FULL THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN IT IS SO STRONG THAT WE MUST DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN AND SUNROOF OPEN. IN RAINY OR COLD WEATHER THAT IS NOT A GOOD OPTION. THE FUMES DISSIPATE AFTER THE FUEL INDICATOR NEARS THE 1/2 FULL MARK IS VERY UNHEALTHY TO BREATHE IN THESE FUMES AND THERE IS ALSO A FIRE RISK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND FUEL WAS ACCUMULATING INTO THE FUEL ACCESS COMPARTMENT UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CAUSED ELECTRICAL WIRES TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE PURE GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT THEY DID A "PATCH" AND MADE THE SMELL SO BAD THAT IT GAVE US ALL HEADACHES EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS NOW AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO FIX THE ISSUE, OR GIVE ME A NEW CAR!

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE 2008 AND THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT ABOUT OF FUEL SINCE 2009. REPAIRS WERE DONE BUT THE PROBLEMS WAS NEVER COMPLETELY FIXED. NOW THE CAR IS BEING HACKED INTO ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS. BESIDES TAKING CONTROL OVER THE ,VEHICLE FUNCTIONALITY, TELE-AID, CD PLAYER, BRAKES, LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS AT WILL, AND THE INCREASE RF IN THE CAR, THE HACKER CAN TURN ON AND OFF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CONTROL THE FUEL GAUGE. MERCEDES BENZ USA WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD TO NEVER CONTACT THEM AGAIN. THEY ALSO SAID AN ATTORNEY WOULD SEND ME A LETTER STATING THEIR POSITION. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS, AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. THE FIRST LETTER I SENT TO THE COMPANY REGARDING THIS MATTER WAS SENT DIRECTLY TO [XXX] CANNON THE CEO OF THE USA BRANCH. THE SECOND LETTER WAS SENT TO [XXX]. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AT DAIMLER AG AND THE HEAD OF MERCEDES BENZ CARS IN GERMANY. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM [XXX]. OFFICE SAID THIS PROBLEM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MERCEDES BENZ USA AND THE MATTER IS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF MERCEDES BENZ USA. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ USA AFTER THE RESPONSE FROM GERMANY AND WAS TOLD NOT TO CONTACT THEM AGAIN REGARDING MY CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WITH LESS THAN 90K MILES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP WENT OUT. MBUSA KNEW ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE PART AND EXTENDED ITS WARRANT UNTIL 12/24/2014 BUT DID NOT NOTIFY AFFECTED VEHICLE OWNERS.

OUR CAR'S BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED BECAUSE STOPPING IS AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION. E.G. PADS AND ROTORS AS NEEDED PLUS FLUID FLUSH PERIODICALLY. NOW WE'VE LEARNED WE MAY BE AT RISK OF CAREENING OUT OF CONTROL WITH NO BRAKES - PERHAPS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS - JUST BECAUSE THE MERCEDES' SBC (SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL) SOFTWARE PREDETERMINES WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE REACHED END OF SERVICE AND DISABLES THEM. WORSE, IT MAY DO THIS WITHOUT WARNING! SINCE THE WARRANTY ON THE SBC WAS EXTENDED FROM 4-YR/50K MILES TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED, AND CONSIDERING THE LIFE OF THESE CARS IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN 10 YEARS, SHOULDN'T THE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY BE EXTENDED FURTHER, TO PERHAPS 15 OR 20 YEARS? OR BETTER STILL, SHOULDN'T THEY BE RETROFITTED WITH NON-ELETROHYDRAULIC BRAKES . . . LIKE MODELS PRIOR TO AND SUBSEQUENT TO MERCEDES' SBC EXPERIMENT? MOREOVER, WHEN THESE CARS ARE SOLD, IS THE PUBLIC ON THE HOOK FOR THE LIABILITY OF A CAR SOLD WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES? E.G. ONE, WHICH HAS BRAKES CAPABLE OF BEING DISABLED BY MERCEDES' SOFTWARE? PLEASE HELP!

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNINGS OF PROBLEMS WITH SBC, ABS, ESP. THE BRAKES THEN REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE TO EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME MUCH HARDER TO STEER.AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE SBC,AND ESP MODULES. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES WITH THIS BRAKING SYSTEM, SO MUCH SO THAT THE DISCONTINUED USING IT. THIS CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND MERCEDES SHOULD EITHER REPAIR ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES OR REMOVE THEM FROM THE ROAD.

I RECEIVED THE RED DASH WARNING AT THE SAME TIME AS THE COMPLETE BRAKING FAILURE (NOT BEFORE) AND THERE WAS MAYBE 2% BRAKING CAPABILITY REMAINING (USELESS HYDRAULIC FAIL SAFE). THAT'S WITH THE PEDAL ON THE FIREWALL AT 5 MPH. EVEN WITH FORCE ENOUGH TO PUSH THE PEDAL INTO THE FIREWALL IT WAS STILL A GRADUAL SLOW DOWN. THIS WAS AT AROUND 5 MPH! NOW IMAGINE COMING OFF A STEEP OFF RAMP FROM 70MPH THAT ENDS ABRUPTLY AND PERPENDICULAR TO A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS... NOT GOOD. AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES I DECIDED TO START THE CAR UP AGAIN, THE MESSAGE WAS GONE AND FULL BRAKING PRESSURE RESTORED. TALK ABOUT A GAME OF RUSSIAN ROULETTE, I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS TIME BOMB IS SET TO GO OFF AGAIN. THIS IS NOT EVEN REMOTELY ACCEPTABLE AND IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. MERCEDES KNEW THIS AND MOVED BACK TO A STANDARD BRAKING SYSTEM IN 2006 LEAVING VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WITH THE SBC MODULES INSTALLED. THESE SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DEALERS AT THEIR EXPENSE INDEFINITELY. IT WAS A TERRIBLE MISTAKE AND THEY ADMIT IT, NOW IT'S TIME TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE WITH MALFUNCTIONING UNITS AND SAVE SOME LIVES. CHECK MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A FOR MORE INFORMATION. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES ALONG WITH MUCH LONGER TIME INTERVAL FOR VEHICLE SPEED REDUCTION DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. MERCEDES (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS MBUSA FOR MERCEDES BENZ USA) SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES DISCONTINUED INSTALLING THIS TYPE BRAKE SYSTEM ON NEW PRODUCTION VEHICLES AT THE END OF MY 06. SUGGESTED CURE - MBUSA SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD (I.E. BRAKE FAILURE) THE SBC UNIT IS. IF MBUSA IS UNABLE TO ASSURE THE VEHICLE OWNER THAT (DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM) THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WILL NOT DEFAULT TO BASIC HYDRAULIC MODE FOR FRONT WHEELS ONLY WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE OF IMMINENT FAILURE, MBUSA SHOULD RETROFIT & REPLACE THE NECESSARY BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS TO INSURE VEHICLE SAFETY AT THE EXPENSE OF MBUSA. THIS IS A MAJOR LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED. A MAJOR REDUCTION OF EFFICIENCY IN A VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM OCCURRING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE PROPERTY LOSS, PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH, ESPECIALLY AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

THERE WAS A MESSAGE THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED ATTENTION. I COULD FEEL SOMETHING INSIDE THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT AND THEY REPLACED MY BRAKES, BUT THE ISSUE KEPT HAPPENING. THEN ONE DAY, WHILE GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FULLY OPERATE. THE WHOLE DASH WENT RED AND IT CAME TO A SLOW STOP. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A 10 YEAR RECALL OF THE SBC UNIT BUT I DON'T SEE THE RECALL ANYWHERE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! *TR

THE WELL KNOWN BRAKE SAFETY ISSUE OF NUMEROUS MB CARS, ALSO CALLED THE SBC SYSTEM, IS CYCLING WAY TO OFTEN AND FEAR ITS PAST IS PREDETERMINED "LIFE CYCLES". FOR SOME REASON MB PUTS A # OF ACTUATIONS ON THE SYSTEM BEFORE IS QUITS OR MUST BE REPLACED. MB HAS INSTRUCTED DEALERS TO NOT REPLACE THE SYSTEM UNLESS A PARTICULAR CODE SHOWS UP UNDER A DIAGNOSTIC READ. PROBLEM IS THAT FROM THE DEALER OWN SERVICE TECHS.....'FAILING PUMPS DON'T ALWAYS THROW A CODE THAT WILL BE STORED IN THE COMPUTER, OR THERE IS A RESET FACILITY BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER SELF DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM THAT IS TO RESET A CODE FOR ISSUES WITH THE SBC SYSTEM WHEN CAR IS CYCLED OFF THEN RESTARTED.' MB REFUSES TO FIX SUCH SAFETY ISSUE IF REPAIR IS NEEDED BEYOND THEIR 10 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. FOR SECONDARY OWNERS THE REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THE SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR AND ALL THOSE AROUND THEM PRESENTS AN ISSUE. THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MB QUICKLY STOPPED PRODUCING VEHICLES WITH THE NEW BRAKING SYSTEM EVEN AFTER THEY HAD TOUTED THIS AS BEING THE NEXT BREAK THROUGH IN BRAKING FOR ALL THEIR VEHICLE LINE. THEY KNOW IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS WHY THEY MOVED AWAY FROM PRODUCING IT FURTHER. THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE NOT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING ALL 'SBC' BRAKING SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE AN INHERENT DEFECT FOR FAILURES. A NON SAFETY ISSUE I CAN UNDERSTAND A WARRANTY RECALL EXPIRATION, BUT NOT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. *TR

THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GASKET IS LEAKING GASOLINE INTO THE AREA UNDER THE BACK SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE FIRST TIME WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WAS ON NOV 1, 2012, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. WE CAN NO LONGER FILL THE TANK TO THE FULL POSITION WITHOUT FUEL LEAKING. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL GASKET, BUT IT HAS SINCE LEAKED AGAIN. THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY CONCERN TO ME, AND IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY MERCEDES BENZ AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE-THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING ONCE AGAIN WITH THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OCCURRING AROUND 75K MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 123K MILES. I WILL PURSUE SOME CLASSIFICATION WITH THIS MATTER. EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL LEAKAGE IS CONTAINED BENEATH THE REAR SEAT, THE FUMES ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAR. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATING 'REDUCED BRAKING POWER'. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE SPC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,070.

A LITTLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO, VEHICLE'S SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES DEALER WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED UNIT UNDER THE TEN YEAR WARRANTY FOR THAT BRAKE SYSTEM. THAT SYSTEM IS VERY WELL KNOWN TO BREAK DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHICH RENDERS CAR A MOVING HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. ON MB FORUMS, IT IS STATED BY COMMENTATORS/OWNERS THAT UNIT HAS A LIFE SPAN OF 300,000 ACTUATIONS; BRAKE PUSHES. THIS IS NOT ANYWHERE IN THE MB LITERATURE OR OWNER'S MANUAL. CAR ELECTRONICS HAVE NO METER TO MEASURE OR GAUGE THOSE ACTUATIONS, SO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ME THE DRIVER BEING PREPARED FOR IT. MERCEDES BENZ NEEDS TO WARRANTY THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *TR

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK TO FULL THERE ARE GAS FUMES IN THE AIR AROUND THE CAR. THEREFORE WE DO NOT FILL TO FULL. WE JUST SAW NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT FUEL TANK PROBLEMS WITH MB. *TR

FUEL LEAK AND STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AFTER FILL UP. FUMES ARE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, TOXIC AND NOXIOUS. THOUGHT THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED UNDER NHTSA ACTION # EA13003 (DATED DEC 19TH 2014) AND MERCEDES IS TELLING ME THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO CORRECT THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND REFUSING TO CORRECT AS AGREEMENT PLAINLY CALLS FOR. PLEASE HELP. I DON'T WANT MYSELF OR WIFE BURNED ALIVE IN MY CAR ! *TR

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, I FELT NO PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL BRAKES. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND STILL THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW UNTIL I GOT TO A SLIGHT INCLINE AT THE END OF THE RAMP. THEN A RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD APPEARED READING "REDUCED BRAKE POWER". I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES. I MANAGED TO GET HOME SAFELY. I CALLED A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE RECALL. AS PER THE MECHANIC, THIS ARE THE FAULTING CODES: C2131 - PRESSURE RESERVOIR FAULTY C249F - OPERATING TIME OF COMPONENT A7/3 (SBC LEFT HYDRAULIC UNIT) IS EXCEEDED C25D5 - HYDRAULIC FAULT MALFUNCTION IN PRESSURE SUPPLY AS OF THIS WRITING, MY BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

1. FUELING THE VEHICLE- AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE AND FILLING UP THE TANK, A VERY VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE/FUMES STAYS IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE DAYS OR UNTIL GAS TANK DROPS DOWN TO UNDER HALF A TANK. 2. FUMES ARE SO STRONG, CAUSES OCCUPANTS HEADACHES AND NAUSEA 3. VEHICLE STOPPED ON IDLE- WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE BEGINS TO CHOKE, AS IF ITS ABOUT TO TURN OFF. NEED TO PUT THE CAR ON NEUTRAL AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO STOP THE CAR FROM CHOKING. 4. TURNING- WHEN MAKING TURNS- THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY CHOKE AS IF NOT RECEIVING ANY GAS, AND AS IF ITS ABOUT TO TURN OFF. THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES INACTIVE, LEAVING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THE TURN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON LEFT HAND TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS. I HAVE STOPPED TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING VEHICLES BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THE VEHICLES RESPONSE. I CANNOT PREDICT WHEN THESE EPISODES OF NON-RESPONSE TO ACCELERATION WILL OCCUR. *TR

FUEL LEAKING FROM REAL WHEEL AREA ON DRIVER SIDE. *TR

AFTER FILLING UP GAS AT THE GAS STATION, I COULD SMELL GAS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. GAS SMELL WAS VERY STRONG AND IT WAS SPREADING IN GARAGE AND INSIDE THE HOUSE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK UNDER DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT. THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE SEAT NEXT TO ELECTRIC CONNECTORS. GAS SMELL IS VERY STRONG INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I COULD SEE FUEL DROPS ON FLOOR NEXT TO DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEELS. *TR

FUEL SMELLS FROM THE TANK FUEL. IT SOMETIMES LEAKS AND MARKS CAN BE SEEN ON THE GROUND. THE SMELL IS WORSE WHEN I PUT FULL TANK OF GAS. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT I HAVE TO PARK THE CAR FAR FROM THE HOUSE TO AVOID ENDANGERING MY FAMILY SINCE THE SMELL CAN GET INTO THE HOUSE IF THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. DRIVING IN SUCH CONDITION PUTS ME AT RISK SINCE THE SMELL IS SO BOTHERSOME. I HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN EVEN IN VERY COLD WEATHER IN ORDER TO GET FRESH AIR. I WENT TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE TANK WAS THE PROBLEM AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT MY COST. ACCORDING TO THEM, IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THAT THE TANK HAD ISSUES BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR LOST POWER. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CAR WAS IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS WITHOUT SUCCESS. CHANGED THE EGR VALVE TO NO AVAIL. WHEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER I HAVE TO RESTART IT ,AND THEN IS FINE FOR A WHILE. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AN SILL HAVE IT. *TR

I RETURNED FROM A 2 AND A HALF WEEK TRIP AND STARTED UP MY CAR (WHICH I HAD FILLED UP PRIOR TO LEAVING ON MY TRIP) AND DISCOVERED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE ODOR DID NOT DISAPPEAR AS I DROVE THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THE GASOLINE UNIT UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS LEAKING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER DID NOT RECODE THE SCN, BUT RATHER EMPTIED THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACED THE FUEL AND THE FUEL LEVER SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT REPORTED THE SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PE: 10017 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN TWICE, BUT THE FAILURES PERSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

IN JUNE OF 2011 I PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR MICHELIN P215/60R16 PRIMACY MXV4 TIRES FOR MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320 AUTOMOBILE. IN JULY OF 2014 ONE OF THE TIRES FAILED (LOST AIR PRESSURE WHILE PARKED) WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A WEEKEND TRIP OUT OF TOWN. THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP THAT REPAIRED THE FLAT INFORMED US THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ? THE SIDEWALL HAD FAILED AND THE TIRE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILED MICHELIN TIRE HAD BEEN INSTALLED FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD 50% OF THE USABLE TREAD WEAR REMAINING (MEASURED LATER BY DISCOUNT TIRE). WE TEMPORARILY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A NON-MICHELIN TIRE AND SAVED THE FAILED MICHELIN. WHEN RETURNING FROM OUR TRIP WE TOOK THE FAILED MICHELIN BACK TO THE DISCOUNT TIRE SHOP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE SET. USING THE ROAD HAZARD GUARANTEES WHEN PURCHASING THE SET, DISCOUNT TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED MICHELIN WITH A NEW MICHELIN. WHILE PERFORMING OTHER VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 I OBSERVED A SECOND MICHELIN TIRE WITH A SIDEWALL CRACK FOLLOWING THE WHEEL BEAD FOR SEVERAL INCHES BEFORE PROGRESSING RADIALLY. I AGAIN TOOK THE FAILED MICHELIN BACK TO THE DISCOUNT TIRE SHOP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE SET. THE FAILED MICHELIN TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE USABLE TREAD WEAR REMAINING. USING THE ROAD HAZARD GUARANTEES WHEN PURCHASING THE SET, DISCOUNT TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED MICHELIN WITH A NEW MICHELIN. IN OCTOBER OF 2014 I PURCHASED A USED CAR WITH MICHELIN TIRES INSTALLED. SINCE RECENTLY EXPERIENCING MICHELIN TIRE FAILURES I E

THIS CAR HAS ONLY 43,000 MILES WITH PERFECT MAINTENANCE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN HIT. THE CAR IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TANK FOR NO OBVIOUS REASONS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THE TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $2000+. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.