NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
9 reportsClear category filter4 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Electrical System
I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT GAVE ME A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE STATING THAT THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAY DOESN'T READ THE PROPER LEVEL, THE BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE, THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE FEATURES OF AUTO ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TILT, THE MIRRO…
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I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT GAVE ME A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE STATING THAT THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAY DOESN'T READ THE PROPER LEVEL, THE BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE, THE WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE FEATURES OF AUTO ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL TILT, THE MIRRORS, AND THE SEATS ARE NOT WORKING. CHECKED FOR RECALLS, FOUND A SIMILAR RECALL IN JULY OF 2008, BUT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436746
5,000 miles · Oct 27, 2004
Electrical System
CAR PURCHASED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT FLETCHER JOHES, NEWPORT BEACH, CA..A TOTAL OF 20 PLUS FAULTS AND 13 WEEKS IN REPAIR OUT OF 12 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP...HAD ASKED DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATOR. DEALER WANTS US TO TRADE IN AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR. AFTER PAYING $50,000 FOR A QUALITY NAME, THIS SEEMS L…
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CAR PURCHASED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT FLETCHER JOHES, NEWPORT BEACH, CA..A TOTAL OF 20 PLUS FAULTS AND 13 WEEKS IN REPAIR OUT OF 12 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP...HAD ASKED DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATOR. DEALER WANTS US TO TRADE IN AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR. AFTER PAYING $50,000 FOR A QUALITY NAME, THIS SEEMS LIKE A JOKE. 1. FOUL AMONIA SMALL FROM A/C WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED. DEALER CHANGED VENTILATION FILTER BUT SMELL CONTINUES. 2. RADIO BUTTON STICKS. DEALER SAYS MB DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THIS. CAR IS WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS. 3. CONVINENCE SETTINGS FOR LIGHTS AND MIRROR KEEP RESETTING. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODE BUT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS. 4. WHEN GOING UP HILL THE TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS AND THE CAR GOES TO A CRAWL THEN STALLS, WHEN ACCELATOR IS PRESSED, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO 1ST GEAR AND THE CAR LEAPS FORWARD. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODE BUT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10096507
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2004
Electrical System
ON THE '03 & '04 E CLASS THERE IS NO WAY TO SET UP THE PREFERENCE FOR THE RADIO TO SCAN TO THE NEXT PRE-SET STATION FROM THE WHEEL, OR ANY WHERE ELSE. ITS IS NOT A CHOICE TO BE SELECTED IN SETTINGS OR ANY WHERE ELSE. IT WILL ALWAYS SCAN TO THE NEXT FREQUENCY THAT IS ON AIR. THE '02S HAD THE CHOICE AVAILABLE TO THE OWNER IN "SETT…
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ON THE '03 & '04 E CLASS THERE IS NO WAY TO SET UP THE PREFERENCE FOR THE RADIO TO SCAN TO THE NEXT PRE-SET STATION FROM THE WHEEL, OR ANY WHERE ELSE. ITS IS NOT A CHOICE TO BE SELECTED IN SETTINGS OR ANY WHERE ELSE. IT WILL ALWAYS SCAN TO THE NEXT FREQUENCY THAT IS ON AIR. THE '02S HAD THE CHOICE AVAILABLE TO THE OWNER IN "SETTINGS", BUT NOT THE NEW E CLASS (W211'S) IN THE USA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078334
4,003 miles · Jan 26, 2004
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE CAUSING EXACTLY A 20 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR WOULD ACTUALLY ACCELERATE AFTER PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED ME TO BE IN NEARLY 3 ACCIDENTS, BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT MOVE WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, CARS WERE COMING, BUT I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD…
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THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE CAUSING EXACTLY A 20 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR WOULD ACTUALLY ACCELERATE AFTER PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED ME TO BE IN NEARLY 3 ACCIDENTS, BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT MOVE WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, CARS WERE COMING, BUT I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, UNTIL AFTER THE 20 SECOND ACCELERATION DELAY. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR INTO PARKPLACE MERCEDES, THE INVOICE SHOWED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054891
500 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING A…
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I OWN A 2003 E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ PURCHASED THIS YEAR FROM RALLEY MOTORS, ROSLYN, NEW YORK. SINCE I TOOK THE TITLE TO THE VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN UNCONTROLLED MILD ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR BUCKS AND SHAKES UPON DE-ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MY HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY REQUIRING MY JAMMING ABRUPTLY ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAD SIGNIFICANTLY STEERED TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES, REQUIRING MY CONSTANTLY HAVING TO STEER TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADMITTED THAT IT CAN NOT REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, IE; THE UNCONTROLLED CHANGE OF SPEED, BUCKING AND ACCELERATION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE. THEY HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH I BELIEVE IS AN IMPORTANT VEHICLE COMPUTER WHICH CONTROLS MANY SYSTEMS OF THE CAR, AND THE VEHICLE NOW HAS THE THIRD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, ALL IN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, ALL DUE TO PRODUCT DEFECTS! THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS ADMITTED TO ME THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH THERE ALLEGEDLY IS NO FIX TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE, THE TORQUE CONVERTER OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO LOCK UP AT LOW SPEEDS, AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE 2003 AND 2004 E-CLASS AUTOMOBILES HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD ADVISED ME THAT HE KNOW OF NO FIX FROM THE FACTORY. THE DEALERSHIP BECAME FRUSTRATED WHEN I EXPRESSED MY DISPLEASURE, AND HAS NOW INFORMED ME THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER SERVICE MY BRAND NEW AUTOMOBILE. *LA *SCC THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED, THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOISY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10047007
2,500 miles · Oct 3, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSO…
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THE CAR HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENTS SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY 28,2003. IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS FIX. AUTOHAUS MERCEDES BENZ IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES . 1)WHIPPERS VERY LOUD AND DON'T CLEAN. 2) FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK 3) TIRE SENSORS DO NOT WORK 4)STEREO SHUTS OFF AND ON 5)ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. 6)ENGINE IS VERY LOUD 7)ENGINE HESITATES. 8) SOS MALFUNCTION 9)MERCEDES BENZ PHONE DOES NOT WORK. 10) LOWJACK SYSTEM THAT THEY INSTALLED HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THEY PUT IT ON. WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A GPS AND A VOICE ACTIVATE KIT FOR THE MERCEDES BENZ AND NOW THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT FOR MY CAR SO I WAS LIED TOO . MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN 10 TIMES AND STILL NOT FIX AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS LIED TO ME BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THE ITEMS ARE FIX AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY ARE BAD AGAIN . I WILL NOT RECOMMEND MERCEDES BENZ TO ANYONE AS THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY JUST TO BE. ALSO I WILL NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE AUTOHAUS IN POMPANO BEACH , FLORIDA THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SERVICE MANAGER JERRY ODESSY ONLY LIES TO PEOPLE AS IT DID TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND HE IS ALSO VERY RUDE . I HAVE ALSO E-MAIL THE PRESIDENT OF AUTOHAUS AND HE HAS NEVER RESPONDED AND THE CORPORATE OFFICE IS NOT TO FAR BEHIND ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RUDENESS . DO NOT BUY MERCEDES THERE ARE A LOT OF BETTER CAR OUT THERE . IF YOU BUY A MERCEDES MAKE SURE YOU CAR WAS NOT IN A FLOOD AS I READ THAT A LOT OF THEIR CARS WERE IN A FLOOD AND THEY ARE SELLING THEM LIKE NOTHING HAPPEND. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041141
17 miles · Sep 21, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipment
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK TH…
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS. SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES (PLURAL) BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH A 'FIX'. I HAVE HAD MY E500 FOR 7 MONTHS. I AM SUSPECTING THAT THE FIX MAY BE IMPRACTICAL AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE THAT COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED - FORCING MERCEDES TO BUY BACK THEIR CARS. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GETTING FALSE PROMISES FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ON ANY PROPOSED FIXES WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUGS TOO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039260
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 E 320 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES BECAUSE WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT TIMES IT WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE HAS 19,000 MILES ON IT. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10038749
3,800 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Electrical System
THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR TH…
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THE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500 HAS A FAULTY GATEWAY MODULE AND SOFTWARE. THIS MODULE HAS RESULTED IN PROBLEMS BEING REPORTED IN MY CAR THAT THE BRAKES, SELF RESTRAINT SYSTEM, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE THE SAFTY SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL OR NOT. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT SAYS MY SRS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MERCEDES SHOP NO LESS THAN 3 TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. IT SIMPLY RE-OCCURS AFTER EACH REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025906
Official recalls
4Jul 7, 2008
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Apr 1, 2005
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET AND REPLACEMENT GROUND WIRE TO THE SBC PUMP UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONALLY DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SBC PUMP UNIT IN SL VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Jun 22, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) IS DESIGNED TO MONITOR THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WITHIN THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IF AN UNACCEPTABLE PRESSURE GRADIENT IS DETECTED, THE SYSTEM WILL SWITCH, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, INTO THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF VEHICLES ARE NOT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH MILEAGE COMBINED WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF BRAKE ACTUATIONS, OR A HIGH BRAKE ACTUATION FREQUENCY, THE PUMP MOTOR OF THE SBC MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES, THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT, REPLACING IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21M 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Aug 7, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUT ON THE BOLT WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING GEAR TO THE STEERING COUPLING MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOOSENING OF THE NUT COULD RESULT IN A SLIPPING OF THE CONNECTION OVER TIME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND TIGHTEN THE NUT ON THE BOLT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗