Total Brake Failure on 2004 E320
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5
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From: CA
2000 E55
Total Brake Failure on 2004 E320
My sister-in-law was driving to work last week and had total brake failure on her 2003 E320. I know of this forum (I have a 2000 E55).
I saw the recall notices that are stickied at the top of this forum and I emailed her the info to go over with her dealer.
Is there anything else that I should have her do?
Has anyone had the problem recur after having the fixes done?
Understandably, she is totally paranoid about driving the car.
I saw the recall notices that are stickied at the top of this forum and I emailed her the info to go over with her dealer.
Is there anything else that I should have her do?
Has anyone had the problem recur after having the fixes done?
Understandably, she is totally paranoid about driving the car.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Have her request a VMI to confirm all (not just SBC) recalls and service campaigns were completed. If they diagnose hydraulic pump failure it is covered by 10-year/unlimited mileage extended warranty and replacement should be cost free.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
My sister-in-law was driving to work last week and had total brake failure on her 2003 E320. I know of this forum (I have a 2000 E55).
I saw the recall notices that are stickied at the top of this forum and I emailed her the info to go over with her dealer.
Is there anything else that I should have her do?
Has anyone had the problem recur after having the fixes done?
Understandably, she is totally paranoid about driving the car.
I saw the recall notices that are stickied at the top of this forum and I emailed her the info to go over with her dealer.
Is there anything else that I should have her do?
Has anyone had the problem recur after having the fixes done?
Understandably, she is totally paranoid about driving the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
My sister-in-law was driving to work last week and had total brake failure on her 2003 E320. I know of this forum (I have a 2000 E55).
I saw the recall notices that are stickied at the top of this forum and I emailed her the info to go over with her dealer.
Is there anything else that I should have her do?
Has anyone had the problem recur after having the fixes done?
Understandably, she is totally paranoid about driving the car.
I saw the recall notices that are stickied at the top of this forum and I emailed her the info to go over with her dealer.
Is there anything else that I should have her do?
Has anyone had the problem recur after having the fixes done?
Understandably, she is totally paranoid about driving the car.
I had the same issue and all the concerns on this
braking system are valid. I will NEVER buy another car with electronic brakes. EVER
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Anybody have any possible idea why they chose to leave it in the E63s after the '07 refresh? It may be a great concept, but the chance of undetectable deterioration of the system then complete failure of the system far outweighs any possible advantage of it being in the car. 
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
WOW!!! so did she step on the brake, and the car just kept moving???? or just a warning on the dash? Is this a common problem on the w211... one of my boys just had his SBC replaced last week on his E500...
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
What's really scary is how these cars (and other M-B's with the system) will be holding up when they get really old in regards to the SBC. I hope we won't start seeing trends of 10-15 year old M-B's slamming into things because they had Brake failure.
Indeed it's a great concept, and really a "Safety feature" to have them on the car when they're working, but if I ever get even one problem with them, this car is gone, I don't care how pretty or comfy she is.
Indeed it's a great concept, and really a "Safety feature" to have them on the car when they're working, but if I ever get even one problem with them, this car is gone, I don't care how pretty or comfy she is.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
There is no need for the SBC since they gave the Pre-Safe system from the S and CL to the E class now as well (also other models too). Well at least it is 10 years the warranty on the pump and unlimited mileage.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 612
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From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
So when one says "total brake failure", does that mean total SBC brake failure, and that the car works in a conventional braking way, w/o SBC, or do you really mean TOTAL brake failure, as in "press brake, car doesn't stop"...?
Tks.
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
If SBC fails completely, the brakes would have less power than a traditional car with a booster failure only. There is a backup "main brake cylinder" but no booster at all and if I remember right, only front wheel brakes operate in this case. You have to step on the pedal. Fortunately I don't have experience on how it works (don't even have any SBC car any more, not that I would ever have been afraid of the SBC system failing as long as all the recall stuff had been done and the car is serviced properly).
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 293
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From: Austin, TX
'13 E550 W4
When mine went out, I stood on the brake pedal and no stopping power worth mentioning. Seriously, people say you are supposed to have "some" limited braking power like a car without ABS, but in my case there was none. I was on the highway during rush hour on Friday of Texas-OU weekend on my way to Dallas from Austin. When the BCM went out, my dash lit up with red warnings like a christmas tree, and I almost died trying to get pulled over. DO NOT TRY TO LIMP TO THE DEALER!!!! Since repairs were completed under warranty, and the SBC pump was later replaced also under MB recall warranty, I have not had any brake issues whatsoever except normal wear replacement.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
When mine went out, I stood on the brake pedal and no stopping power worth mentioning. Seriously, people say you are supposed to have "some" limited braking power like a car without ABS, but in my case there was none. I was on the highway during rush hour on Friday of Texas-OU weekend on my way to Dallas from Austin. When the BCM went out, my dash lit up with red warnings like a christmas tree, and I almost died trying to get pulled over. DO NOT TRY TO LIMP TO THE DEALER!!!! Since repairs were completed under warranty, and the SBC pump was later replaced also under MB recall warranty, I have not had any brake issues whatsoever except normal wear replacement.
WOW thanks for sharing..
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 831
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
I wouldn't say conventional, because it has the usual abs, traction control... But No it's not similar to mb. It does not have electronic braking..
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
This issue scares the crap out of me. Not just because I'm driving a car that could potentially experience this issue but think of how many people are on the road that could have this issue and could potentially hit me.
The system should be designed so that as long as the hydraulic brake lines haven't burst, you will have decent brakes regardless of what else fails.
The system should be designed so that as long as the hydraulic brake lines haven't burst, you will have decent brakes regardless of what else fails.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
When mine went out, I stood on the brake pedal and no stopping power worth mentioning. Seriously, people say you are supposed to have "some" limited braking power like a car without ABS, but in my case there was none. I was on the highway during rush hour on Friday of Texas-OU weekend on my way to Dallas from Austin. When the BCM went out, my dash lit up with red warnings like a christmas tree, and I almost died trying to get pulled over. DO NOT TRY TO LIMP TO THE DEALER!!!! Since repairs were completed under warranty, and the SBC pump was later replaced also under MB recall warranty, I have not had any brake issues whatsoever except normal wear replacement.
Now the real question is what does it take to convert to conventional brakes.? Will 07 parts bolt in? mods. But then the
computer probably would not work and MB would not support it.Guess the E500
will have to go before the brake warranty is up.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Or an AMBULANCE.
Seriously - if you're going 60+ mph when it happens, the chances of you and others getting seriously hurt are pretty good.
There's 2 issues that are leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth with Mercedes:
1. This issue with the brakes
2. The glycol contamination issue on the older cars.
How can they just allow nummerous radiators fail, destroying transmissions for a lot of people who are without a warranty? Instead of replacing the defective radiators before that happens, they allow it to fail - and most will likely fail out of warranty.
Seriously - if you're going 60+ mph when it happens, the chances of you and others getting seriously hurt are pretty good.
There's 2 issues that are leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth with Mercedes:
1. This issue with the brakes
2. The glycol contamination issue on the older cars.
How can they just allow nummerous radiators fail, destroying transmissions for a lot of people who are without a warranty? Instead of replacing the defective radiators before that happens, they allow it to fail - and most will likely fail out of warranty.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
It's really bad. I wish they came out with a conversion system to a non-hydraulic MB system. And if they do, it should be free of charge (hope you reading this MBUSA).
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
When mine went out, I stood on the brake pedal and no stopping power worth mentioning. Seriously, people say you are supposed to have "some" limited braking power like a car without ABS, but in my case there was none. I was on the highway during rush hour on Friday of Texas-OU weekend on my way to Dallas from Austin. When the BCM went out, my dash lit up with red warnings like a christmas tree, and I almost died trying to get pulled over. DO NOT TRY TO LIMP TO THE DEALER!!!! Since repairs were completed under warranty, and the SBC pump was later replaced also under MB recall warranty, I have not had any brake issues whatsoever except normal wear replacement.
Want to know something else scary? I was looking at this Junkyard "Parts Finder" Website, where it's basically all kinds of salvaged and accident cars pictured with their parts offered up, and quite a few of the W211's pictured had the odometer screen display reading frozen in bright RED with the words "STOP! Brake Failure". Kind of puts a sick feeling in your stomach.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
That's what I've heard from numerous people.... Regardless of what BS M-B says, there is really NO stopping power when the Brakes go out.
Want to know something else scary? I was looking at this Junkyard "Parts Finder" Website, where it's basically all kinds of salvaged and accident cars pictured with their parts offered up, and quite a few of the W211's pictured had the odometer screen display reading frozen in bright RED with the words "STOP! Brake Failure". Kind of puts a sick feeling in your stomach.
Want to know something else scary? I was looking at this Junkyard "Parts Finder" Website, where it's basically all kinds of salvaged and accident cars pictured with their parts offered up, and quite a few of the W211's pictured had the odometer screen display reading frozen in bright RED with the words "STOP! Brake Failure". Kind of puts a sick feeling in your stomach.
based on my experience with this one. I know there are others who will say this is part of owning a European car. NUTS....it isn't .
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
It's nuts to have cars on this caliber and a simple failure leaves you in a death trap with no decent backup in place. Really makes me think about moving to a 07+ CLS in the near future.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
