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1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,697 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jul 312020

CLS500

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes keep going out. Brake pedal going to the floor. Esp light comes on and car throttling to a slow creep even on the highway. Extremely dangerous for me and my wife and child.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #20

Mar 052020

CLS500

  • 129,000 miles
I was exiting the highway when I began to push on the break pedal it went all the way the the floor. Good thing it was a little traffic because I was going about 40 mph so I was able to turn off the highway in the grass and stop. But this is a major safety issue and this could have well ended bad for me. Without warning the brakes just stopped working and gave the error 'depress brake pedal stop vehicle'

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #19

Sep 232019

CLS500

  • 133,726 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500. While driving 15 mph, the 'depress brake pedal stop vehicle' warning indicator illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed all the way to the floorboard, but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle coasted until it came to a complete stop. The vehicle was restarted and was able to function normally. Mercedes-Benz of South orlando (4301 millenia blvd, orlando, fl 32839, (407) 374-0033) was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,726.

- Orlando,, FL, USA

problem #18

Oct 042018

CLS500

  • 51,573 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sensomatic braking control has been observed to have failed. Related brake warning light inhibits the car from braking properly or driving at a comfortable speed. Brake wire has been replaced and brake pads and the problem still persists. There is a recall on this that I was unaware existed. I need help. I'm in a dangerous situation that is unsafe for me and my family. Braking the vehicle takes considerable amount of pressure and seems to be delayed.

- Abu Dhabi, FL, USA

problem #17

Sep 012018

CLS500

  • 130,900 miles
Bought the 2006 cls 500 2 years ago, since that second day I have issues with sbc module, I call mb dealer they told me my car was out of warranty, since the production date was 2004, okay after that I try several other mechanics and nobody have the star tool to fix up, the car is not safe to drive and I continue take the risk couple months until the fuel line starts leak on the pump, this could generate a spark and burn my car, I call again mb dealer and they told me is probably unsafe to start the car. After all this years I parked the car and all my suspension was broke as well, call again the mb dealer they estimated $ 1800 to replace the air shocks, so I buy from arnott the same mb sell and I replace all 4, so the car is up again, next week I decide to sell the vehicle after driving in 3 years 9,000 miles only, try to move the car from the garage, guess what, my transmission go to limp mode because the breaks are not working, so far I decide to write in here to complain why a such beautiful car have so many issues and mb does not care for the old mb. I almost get on accident when my breaks complete frozen to the end !!!

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #16

May 162018

CLS500

  • 141,000 miles
I was driving and the brake light came on and my brakes went straight to the floor which could have caused me to crash. Mb should have recalled this problem from this sensotronic module which they new about

- Matteson, IL, USA

problem #15

Feb 272016

CLS500

  • 119,040 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Mercedes-Benz cls 500 has a issue on sbc module that occur on models like mine, this sbc system cannot stop the vehicle and mb know this occur and is replacement only, they do not replogram to clean the error.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #14

Dec 182017

CLS500

  • 197,120 miles
I was driving and the reduce braking light came on. I pulled over stopped my vehicle because it stated that I needed to do so, restarted the vehicle and tried to make it home. I began to loose control of the steering and even though I was pushing the brake pedal to stop, the pedal went to the floor. I was in rush traffic and so scared that I would hurt someone or myself. I recently had my brakes and rotors replaced, months in advance. I barely made it home and since then I have tried to take my vehicle to the shop but in doing so the same problem arose. Again, I was frighten to put it on the road I placed it back in the garage. Please help. I am not understanding why I am having these problems. I brought the car in September of 2013 and this is the only major issue I have had. I love my car. I also read that in 2006 some type of braking system was discontinued and that there was a recall on the sbc pump.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Nov 132017

CLS500

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500. While driving 70 mph, the "reduce brake" and "stop the vehicle" indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder lane where it was able to restart and resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the sbc unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Fredricksburg, VA, USA

problem #12

Aug 212017

CLS500

  • 121,000 miles
I was entering onto a highway (100). At the point of the highway I was entering(from cty rd 81) it opens the highway to a 3rd lane on the right side of the highway. At the same place it opens the highway up, there is an immediate exit(42nd ave). As I am accelerating to highway speeds, just prior to the new lane availability that drivers must enter to get off on 42nd, my car starts chiming and there's a red warning on my dash that states "stop, reduced braking power. Depress brake fully." Or something quite similar. There is no shoulder, I'm going like 10 mph, terrified. People are honking and trying to get over to get off on 42nd ave in a lane where I'm going 10 mph and they were at a speed of approx 60 mph(posted hwy speed). As I limp my car past this exit to a shoulder I then attempt to brake and have no braking power. I eventually rolled to a stop. Turned my vehicle off to determine my next move. I turned the vehicle back on to see what exactly the warning light said- there was nothing there. Tested my brakes a little on the shoulder and they were fine. I was able to drive the rest of the way to my destinations without any problems. This has since occurred a couple more times. Through a trip to the mechanic and thorough research it is determined the problem lies in my sensotronic brake pump. This is a pump that Mercedes warrantied for 10 years due to this issue. This will occur to all other drivers of this vehicle that haven't had this part replaced. I never knew of the safety issue with the braking system until this problem occurred. I would have replaced it years ago (under warranty at the time of replacement). My children's lives, my life, and the lives of all the drivers on the highway that morning were placed at severe risk. This should have been recalled and still should for all of the other unsuspecting drivers- for their safety and others on the road.

- New Hope, MN, USA

problem #11

Aug 052017

CLS500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500. While driving approximately 60 mph, a message appeared on the instrument panel stating that the brake system had malfunctioned and the vehicle would not stop. The driver stopped the vehicle and shut off the engine. After restarting the vehicle, the message re-appeared. In addition, while operating the vehicle, the speedometer would display inaccurate speeds. The failures were not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 05V133000 (service brakes) and 08V303000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failures listed in the recalls. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Fredricksburg, VA, USA

problem #10

Oct 202015

CLS500

  • miles
I own a 2006 Mercedes-Benz cls 500 4 door I took to mb dealer to check for any open recall on sbc breaks and the the answer by mb was that my vehicle manufacture date was past the recall on the breaks. My vehicle that I pay top money is not safe to drive, is parked into my garage for almost 12 months, I keep looking for sale and when the mb dealer see the brake red light on dash, they walk away with less than $ 3,000 dollars for my vehicle that I paid $ 18,000. Mb estimated around $ 4700 to fix my vehicle. The sbc module needs to be replace complete to be reprogram again and be a safe drive vehicle. My wife E-500 also have the same issues and they said the same, but doe S not show any recalls on the sbc module. Just wondering why mb do not fix the problem and let the owners like me continue on the mb family.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 112016

CLS500

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Cls500. While driving 65 mph, the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes failed to engage and was forced to drive off to the side of the road in order to stop the vehicle from crashing. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Benton Harbor, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 082016

CLS500

  • 177,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz Cls500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, it traveled to the floorboard causing a greater stopping distance. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused accidents on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensotronic brake control hydraulic pump had failed and would need to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.

- Mentone, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 222016

CLS500

  • 107,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz Cls500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal at 70 mph, the vehicle failed to stop and the reduce brake error message displayed. The contact was able to avoid an accident. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic pump and the sbc brake system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 05V133000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was 107,500.

- Mentone, CA, USA

problem #6

Feb 012016

CLS500

  • 135,000 miles
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. The warranty has been extended to 10 years, unlimited mileage, so mb knows of the defect. Unfortunately, many vehicles are outside this 10-year window, yet the problem should be fixed. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #5

Sep 122014

CLS500

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz Cls500. While driving approximately 45 mph, the "braking power insufficient" warning indicator illuminated. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Odenton, MD, USA

problem #4

Oct 232013

CLS500 8-cyl

  • 111,114 miles
Bought the car in Oct.of 2013. Third brake warning comes on from time to time. Have checked my brake lights with someone pushing the brake pedal while I observed more than once and they work fine. Two of my co-workers have told me recently while following me that my third brake light does not always work. I know there is a brake light issue that is being recalled on a different Mercedes model and year. Was thinking that my vehicle might have the same issue.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #3

Nov 192012

CLS500

  • 59,767 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Cls500. The contact stated that she believes the vehicle was included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 05V133000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The technician stated the sbc unit needed to be replaced but was not covered under the recall. The technician stated the only part covered was the sbc pump. The contact was waiting to hear back from the manufacturer for possible assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,767.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 052012

CLS500 8-cyl

  • 91,900 miles
Driving at steady speed, tried to brake- brake pedal sank to the floor, driver's side front wheel locked up- no apparent braking actually happened, despite pressing on the brake pedal. Locking up of driver's side front wheel caused total loss of vehicle control, causing a 360 degree spin. Car malfunctioned afterwards, could not drive until turned off the engine and restarted the car. There were no warning lights afterward- no brake light, no check engine light, no error message in the dashboard relating to brake failure.

- Rydal, PA, USA

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