Total break failure on 2004 E 320 wagon
04-25-2009, 02:08 PM
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2004 E 320 wagon
Total break failure on 2004 E 320 wagon
While driving my 2004 E 320 CPO with 63000 miles on it I experienced total brake failure. A red brake failure light came on. The vehicle down shifted into low. I attemped to apply the brakes. The pedal went to the floor. I was on a surface street and used the parking brake to stop. I placed the transmission in park. This caused it to lock the gear shifter. A flatbed was called. This is my 6th MB. I have never had anything like this happen. Had I been on the interstate the out come my have been different. The vehicle was taken to Buckhead Mercedes benz. I am awaiting the service tech findings. I have read one other post on this subject. How common is this? Being a CPO vehicle is it covered?
04-25-2009, 04:39 PM
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The dreaded SBC failure. When SBC was first introduced there were some scary failures like yours. MB discontinued using SBC after 2006. There were a series of recalls and technical bulletins addressing the problem and SBC reliability went way up. If the brake system senses a component failure, improper operating condition (like low brake fluid pressure), or an SBC sensor failure it goes into the backup system mode which is what you experienced. Backup mode is non power with reduced capability and requires much more stopping distance. MB extended the warranty of the SBC pump for up to 10 years. I can't imagine a dealer not covering brake failure under CPO warranty either.
04-26-2009, 08:42 AM
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190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
Your SBC pump should be covered under warranty.
One question though. Do you get regular MB dealer servicing of an indy? If you've been using a dealer than your SBC software should have been updated as part of regular servicing and the SBC pumps checked and every service meaning that a failing pump is usually identified either during servicing or by the vehilce as failing before it actually fails.
One question though. Do you get regular MB dealer servicing of an indy? If you've been using a dealer than your SBC software should have been updated as part of regular servicing and the SBC pumps checked and every service meaning that a failing pump is usually identified either during servicing or by the vehilce as failing before it actually fails.
04-28-2009, 12:26 PM
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2004 E 320 wagon
SBC Replaced
Thank you for your comments. The dealer reported the SBC had failed. This was covered under warranty. A loaner vehicle was provided. The whole experience was positive.
04-29-2009, 09:01 AM
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03 E500 and Corvette
I agree the dealer experience was positive. However this failure is one I have also experienced with others. Makes me wonder If I want to buy another MB given all the other failures it has had.
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04-29-2009, 11:43 AM
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The W203 and W211 reliability has been a black eye for Mercedes. It's always possible to get unlucky and buy a car that has more failures than normal but these two models have WAY more than their share of problems. I just ordered my next car.....a BMW (spare me the horror stories please 
)
04-30-2009, 11:38 AM
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03 E500 and Corvette
The W203 and W211 reliability has been a black eye for Mercedes. It's always possible to get unlucky and buy a car that has more failures than normal but these two models have WAY more than their share of problems. I just ordered my next car.....a BMW (spare me the horror stories please )
