The sbc brake unit failed while I was on vacation. The rest of the brake system works fine. Mercedes recalled this brake system and knew it was unsafe, however now they will not replace the part unless I pay and the cost is $2,500 per the dealer. Without it the car is garbage. It is an electronic braking system.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

Brakes just when out on it and they have a recall but is good for just 10 they need to be respons for this problem making cars with no brakes is a deith wish I hope you guys do something about it is not safe at all

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. While parked, the vehicle's "service brakes-visit workshop" light illuminated. The warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

I was traveling on a secondary road at a speed of 30mph when the mfd turned red, started beeping and stated brake failure, stop driving. When I attempted to stop, the brake pedal went to the floor and the transmission automatically down shifted. After pulling the car to the side of the road, I put the transmission in park where it locked in place. After fifteen minutes the sbc reset itself and the transmission unlocked. The vehicle was removed to the Mercedes dealer where I purchased it. The Mercedes tech stated that the sbc needs to be replaced. I was told there was a 10 year warranty on the sbc unit, but it expired in June 2013. I am the original owner and Mercedes Benz usa stated that they did not notify the owners of the warranty extension or of the problems with the sbc. The cost to replace the sbc is $2,000.

- North Massapequa, NY, USA

When I'm stoping the car, the breaks did not work as it should, and the stop distance increased by 50% !! on August 10th I was in the on the way between charlotte and nashville, in the mountains curves way down, I used the breaks, the car almost got out of control.... I felt like the front and rear breaks don't do any synchronization to stop the car, its making the car losing control on the curves..... I red on this issue on internet I found that Mercedes has used a new breaking system for this car and stop installing this system it in 2006! the reason why they stop using this because it 100% electronic breaks system, it called sbc (sensotronic brake control ) 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.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Vehicle presented with red light indicating to take vehicle to workshop in red. Braking was extremely difficult, SRS system stalled the vehicle, emergency mode was activited, we were unable, at first to turn on the ignition switch. The vehicle operated as if it was paralyzed. We finally got the vehicle to run and reset the code by turning the steering wheel. The vehicle is very dangerous to drive if you are not prepared for longer stopping distances, thankfully my husband was able to get the vehicle to the dealership. I found myself not strong enough to press on the brake pedal for adequate braking distance. This car left me with no brakes at all driving with children in the car. This I'd not safe!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Vehicle presented with red light indicating to take vehicle to workshop in red. Braking was extremely difficult, SRS system stalled the vehicle, emergency mode was activited, we were unable, at first to turn on the ignition switch. The vehicle operated as if it was paralyzed. We finally got the vehicle to run and turned vehicle into mb dealership. We were informed that the sbc unit was in need of replacement, we were beset with $1,800 repair. The vehicle is very dangerous to drive if you are not prepared for longer stopping distances, thankfully my husband was able to get the vehicle to the dealership. I found myself not strong enough to press on the brake pedal for adequate braking distance. Fuel: Upon fueling vehicle, the fuel handle will stop and immense amounts of fuel will spurt out from fuel tank. There is also a smell of gas/fuel in the cabin after fill up. This creates a huge spill and notification to attendant. Takes up a great amount of time to fill up tank. Surprisingly we haven't been charged for fuel spills. SRS: Light on for safety response system, shortly after visit at mb dealership. Have not taken vehicle to mb dealership for fear of another expensive repair.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

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 do believe that this issue is relayed in the Mercedes service bulletin S142.46-P-0012A which addresses this issue. Mercedes stopped installing this system in 2006.I purchased the vehicle in December of 2007 as a used vehicle with aprox. 40,000 miles. I have not been sent anything from mbenz notifying of this issue.vehicle put in shop 4-16-20015 at Mercedes. Diagnosis was faulty sbc pump system at a cost for repair $2400. 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.lastly, passenger air bag light has been on since shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Known as the SRS system.this issue is spelled out as a major safety concern in Mercedes E class operator's manual, told by Mercedes service dept, this is a $800 bill to have repaired. Question, , does something tragic have to happen before, Mercedes Benz live up to their obligation of keeping those who purchase their vehicle, ,,,,safe.

- Joliet, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the brake warning indicator illuminated continuously without the ignition being turned to the on position. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the sbc united needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

- Summerville, SC, USA

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.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I was driving down a side road by a college in lowell MA and my dash board lite up and starting beeping. Said brake failure sort stopping distance, visit work shop asap. I tried to stop the car but it was very hard stopping it, I honked the horn because I was coming up on a school crossing( thank god) they all moved out of the way because I would have ran over them all. I got the car stopped and shut it off, police over saw the whole thing and pulled up behind me and I explained what happened, we went to go start the car up and all the light where off and the car seemed fine, there was no way I was taking that chance again so I called a tow truck and had it towed to my garage, mechanic just called me and said nothing was stored in the computer system and the brakes are working fine now. He checked on line to see if there where any other complaint about this issue and informed there a lot of problem from Mercedes Benz owners on this issue. I will not drive this car again, I could have killed all those people in the walk way because of this problem that Mercedes is aware of. Please help ! I just looked up the same information on google and there are hundred of complaint about the same issue, my brakes are new. It is a electrical problem that they are aware of.

- Nashua, NH, USA

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.

- Richardson, TX, USA

The W211 Mercedes (E-class) have sensotronic brake control (sbc) units for the brakes. When, not if, but when they go out, there is no prior warning or anything at all. All braking ability just stops out of nowhere. This is obviously a huge safety concern because all brakes in the car stop working. This issue is well known and Mercedes needs to change out the sbc pumps on these cars because the consequences can, and will, be disastrous.

- Corona, CA, USA

My wife and I were traveling northbound on Texas hwy 281 just North on marble falls Texas. I noticed a train coming and started to slow down and made the decision to stop for the train! well at that time my brake dash warning came on and it was all red and my brakes failed. Their I was not able to stop going 75 miles per hour (legally) and I could not stop and it was way to late for the train to stop also so I floored it to get over the tracks then I finally came to a safe stop. I searched the internet for a fix and to my surprise Mercedes had known of this for many years and stopped all help with the issue when the car reached 10 years old. This car should be fixed by the company that knowingly put it on the road with an experimental new type of braking system then tells owners down the road to kiss their butt. And its now the owners problem. What a deal my car is in great shape but has a defective experimental braking system that Mercedes will not even discuss fixing. I should have bought a corvair or maybe a pinto at least you can stop them! wow why have you not jumped all over this manufacture about this deadly problem even you have known for years! but no one has told me"?" the title should be marked deadly in bold letters.

- Horseshoe Bay, TX, USA

Mercedes-Benz has diagnosed my sbc pump unit, in writing, as "faulty." They have then gone on to deny and refuse to acknowledge the recall published on this website: NHTSA campaign number: 05V133000. According to 2 Mercedes dealerships, and mbusa customer care and claim department, there is no such thing as a recall on the sbc unit, or have they ever heard of NHTSA campaign number: 05V133000 -- there is, however, a limited warranty for the sbc pump. After doing some independent research, it is clear that after recall: NHTSA campaign number: 05V133000, had been submitted to the NHTSA, it has gone completely unacknowledged from that point on. Mercedes has instead "rebranded" it as a warranty-recall, under internal campaign #2005110001, which no longer covers the sbc pump itself, only the wiring around it. There is clearly a conflict/contradiction here, as the mbusa.com website refers to the service on my car (by VIN) as 05V-311, but the invoice I received from Mercedes-Benz refers to it as [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the ABS sensor illuminated intermittently. The dealer stated that the sbc system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V133000 (service brakes, hydraulic ). the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

- Hickory, NC, USA

Went to start the car and at first the key wouldn't turn over I had to keep taking put and inserting it at a different side it eventually started. Soon as it turned over the brake light esp and ABS light started flashing the car is stuck in park.

- Augusta, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the service visit workshop warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the sbc pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

- Cary, NC, USA

I'm lucky to be alive! I purchased this car in 2005 and ever since I purchased my 2003 merc. Benz E320, it's been a crazy ride! here's a list of different issues that happened to me over the course of me owning this vehicle, which unfortunately I still do. I was driving with my little girl in tow and my brakes went out on me several times, my battery dies constantly, I had an issue when after I pumped gas you could smell fuel both inside my car & outside of my car, I literally one time had fuel pouring from the back of my car that ended on my garage floor. (thank god I don't smoke!) my suspension is constantly rattling, I have water that leaks on my feet when I drive occasionally and sometimes I have heat in the winter and sometimes I don't. I always have a check engine light on and as soon as I fix one, another one comes on. I currently had issues with code PO134, PO135 and had the O2 sensor changed, then my check engine light came back on and now I have codes PO171 & PO174 that I have no idea how to get fixed because it could be a number of issues. My battery drains when my electric seats are plugged in and so I have to have them unplugged to save my battery. Did I mention my back tire blew out on interstate 95 and I almost lost control of my car. It's devastating to pay the amount of money you do for this particular model, it's pretty on the outside and is a mess under the hood! is it normal when you have the ac on for it to sound like an airplane ready for take off? I'm tired of investing all kinds of money into this car, I just can't take it anymore! I can't even pass my va. State emissions test because of all these error codes (check engine light and malfunctions) and the state doesn't even find my car worthy of being on the roads.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that braking system hesitated to engage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the brake pedal was depressed numerous times in order to stop the vehicle. In addition, the gear shifter became stuck in park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ABS pump unit failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V133000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,714.

- Menlo Park , CA, USA