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.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the brakes failed while driving 70 mph. The contact was able to coast to a stop. The contact stated that the reduced braking affect warning light illuminated on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 05V133000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but was told by the dealer that the warranty had expired and the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was diagnosed and the failure was located at the sensotronic brake pump having failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 81,000.
I was driving on the highway at approximately 55 mph when a warning message flashed across my instrument panel to stop my vehicle immediately. At the same time the traffic in front of me slowed almost to a complete stop. I tried to engage my brakes, but they failed and I had to swerve into the next lane to avoid rear ending an SUV. I was able to work my way over to the shoulder and coast to a stop. I was told by the Mercedes Benz dealer that there are no recalls on my vehicle, but there is an extended warranty on a specific brake part. If the dealer determines that this particular brake part is to blame for the failure, Mercedes will cover the cost of the repair. I did some research and found a recall notice on the NHTSA website (NHTSA recall # 04V-296) that appears to include my vehicle. I do not understand why a defect, this serious, would not warrant a recall that owners should be aware of. The outcome of this brake failure could have been very tragic.
Brake failure while driving vehicle, brake pedal pressure was greater when applied to stop car. Vehicle was not operational after car came to a complete stop. Sbc system was replaced by Mercedes dealer, but refused to replace pressure reservoir that also malfunctioned with brake failure.
Contact stated when stepping on the accelerator pedal the vehicle will not accelerate. This caused a safety concern because while merging into traffic the vehicle failed to accelerate. This only occurred when the vehicle is stopped or was close to stopping. The majority of the time it happened when the vehicle was started up. There was no indication as to when this will occur. It happened approximately 30 times. The service dealer attempted to repair the vehicle once, but because it happened periodically they could not duplicate the problem. The manufacturer refused to service the vehicle. Consumer felt the problem with the vehicle could be the drive- by -wire or computer system. The right rear brake locked up while the consumer was making a right turn. This occurred after the brake had been reprogrammed. On cold morning the gps did not work properly. The leather on the driver's side air bag was peeling. The tire pressure monitoring system had to be reprogrammed. The front wheel bearing had play in it. The rear alignment was off slightly which caused the vehicle to shimmy while driving above 62 mph. On August 22, 2005 while driving a loaner Mercedes Benz E350 from the dealer the consumer experienced the same intermittent hesitation on acceleration as he had with his own 2004 E350. The consumer believes this hesitation problem is not isolated to vehicle.
- Saline, MI, USA
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Recall campaign:04V296000 the consumer had problems with the vehicle's brake lights prior to receiving the recall notice. The consumer took the vehicle in to get the recall service done for the repeated deflating tire and front brake pads. The consumer was refused a rental or loaner vehicle. The consumer was told that his vehicle would not comply to the pump as the system would not bleed. Another customers parts would be used as the pump continued to be faulty to the consumers vehicle. The consumer was allowed by the service dept to drive the vehicle off with failed service. While driving the emergency brake light flashed repeatedly. The consumer stated that the service on his vehicle was broken up intentionally to avert the lemon law citation. The consumers vehicle is a Mercedes E320.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lorton, VA, USA