NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
15 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 21, 2021
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 everythin…
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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 ODI #11418001
65,000 miles · Feb 26, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)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 ODI #11311560
200,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
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 …
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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 ODI #11206023
127,000 miles · Oct 10, 2018
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 MANUFAC…
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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 ODI #11139421
149,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
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. TH…
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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 ODI #11012501
78,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
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…
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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." *TR
NHTSA ODI #10944461
132,998 miles · Oct 6, 2015
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 …
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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 ODI #10780142
91,468 miles · Sep 13, 2015
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 ME…
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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 ODI #10763421
151,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015
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…
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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 ODI #10726285
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2015
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 …
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682662
Official recalls
4Nov 19, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Dec 23, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may 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 February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Mar 19, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.
Dec 20, 2019
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
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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