ESP Problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
ESP Problem
I orginally bought a 2005 E500. Loved the car, but after 5 SBS failures (actual failures, not just warning messages) I negotiated an assisted trade for a 2007 E550. Love this car, but now I have had 2 ESP failures (one at about 8,000 miles and one at 11,000 miles). The first time it went into "limp home" mode, but the car reset itself after I made it back home. The second time it did not go into failsafe mode, but wierd things happened (wildly swinging speedometer, very clunky transmission, slow reacting accelerator, and so on). Both times were in heavy rain. I took the car into the dealer after the second malfunction.
The dealer has had the car for almost two weeks, and the best they can say is that they have been unable to duplicate the failure, and if they cannot duplicate the failure they cannot diagnose and solve the problem. (This is after several consultations with the regional service folks.) I am getting it back today with no resolution and am not sure whether I should hope that the problem disappears or reappears. In any event, it is very disheartening to know that MB is selling cars with problems that cannot be diagnosed, and hence cannot be fixed.
These two MBs have had more down time by far than the total for all other cars I have owned (about 50 years worth). My wife is ready to divorce me (she wanted a BMW). Am I getting special treatment (2 unreliable cars) or is this standard for MB? Has anyone else had ESP problems that could not be diagnosed?
Thanks!
The dealer has had the car for almost two weeks, and the best they can say is that they have been unable to duplicate the failure, and if they cannot duplicate the failure they cannot diagnose and solve the problem. (This is after several consultations with the regional service folks.) I am getting it back today with no resolution and am not sure whether I should hope that the problem disappears or reappears. In any event, it is very disheartening to know that MB is selling cars with problems that cannot be diagnosed, and hence cannot be fixed.
These two MBs have had more down time by far than the total for all other cars I have owned (about 50 years worth). My wife is ready to divorce me (she wanted a BMW). Am I getting special treatment (2 unreliable cars) or is this standard for MB? Has anyone else had ESP problems that could not be diagnosed?
Thanks!
Last edited by louiscg; Oct 11, 2007 at 09:29 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,501
Likes: 336
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
That does not sound like normal. Could it be related to ABS sensors, speedo is working on the basis of the ABS reading and a speed reading like you describe could easily confuse the tranny and the rest. But odd if it does not leave any error code, the speed changes should not look like possible and that should fire some kind of a fault code? You really are unlucky, I hope experts can help you and your dealer to fix the car quickly (better to avoid a divorce from the wife equally as the car).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I had a problem plagued 2004. I nove have a 2007 since March 1, 07 which has been flawless... what every car should be like. Have you given the service people permission for the shop forman to drive the car home & to work? Maybe it will show in normal use.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
'08 E350 Sport, '03 Lexus GX470
My C-Class had both SBS and ESP issues that were promptly fixed. They were just warnings though (not all-out failures). I had a similar issue with my 211. With just 200 mi on the car, the ESP light would come on and give me warnings. Turned out to be a faulty steering wheel sensor. Still, I don't second-guess my decision to buy this E-Class (yet). It's actually one of the best cars I've owned to date.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 350
From: Huntington NY
S560
My esp light kept coming on with the inopperative message. I brought it in and they said it was a bad module, no problems since. Interestingly, when the light came on the adjustable suspension would not work...
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ont Canada
GL350
[QUOTE=louiscg;2450362] Both times were in heavy rain.QUOTE]
I had similar problems with the airmatic."visit workshop" after wetness or rain.
After 5 visits and new shocks,pump .etc...turned out to be a pinched wire.
The MB bulletin was posted on this forum,yet the dealer had no idea about it.
I had similar problems with the airmatic."visit workshop" after wetness or rain.
After 5 visits and new shocks,pump .etc...turned out to be a pinched wire.
The MB bulletin was posted on this forum,yet the dealer had no idea about it.
