Emergency Braking System Malfunctions
I own a 2021 GLS450 and this same situation happened to me last week. I already posted details on another thread and another person from Texas said it just happened as well. I am wondering if you ever had any resolution? My car has been in dealership for over a week finally received phone call that they "cannot recreate situation" and refer to user manual for disclaimers on the system. We have escalated to CAC and filed a complaint but am very pessimistic about the process as it will be MB sided. Have put in message to dealership mgr for a meeting. Have not heard back as of yet. Any updates would be appreciated.
I have nothing new to report on my experiences except it still happens from time to time. I did file a complaint on the NHTSA website and would encourage everyone else who has had this issue to do the same. The excuse that this is a "new technology" is total BS. I have the same technology on my Audi A6 which has NEVER triggered any false braking. It's clearly a defect in Mercedes' technology and until enough people file complaints with NHTSA they will do nothing about it but continue to stonewall.
I have nothing new to report on my experiences except it still happens from time to time. I did file a complaint on the NHTSA website and would encourage everyone else who has had this issue to do the same. The excuse that this is a "new technology" is total BS. I have the same technology on my Audi A6 which has NEVER triggered any false braking. It's clearly a defect in Mercedes' technology and until enough people file complaints with NHTSA they will do nothing about it but continue to stonewall.
[QUOTE=CB949;7833418]Hi All
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300[
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300[
Last edited by skcleveland; Jul 29, 2021 at 11:01 PM.
Add me to the list
Was just driving down a neighborhood road, about 25 mph. Out of nowhere, the car made that screeching sound and braked hard to a stop. Threw everything off the seats. There was NOTHING around me. I pulled over and the displayed showed the car and red highlights around the back of the car. There was nothing around. If there would have been a car behind me, it would have hit me for sure. Calling the dealer and heading over there Monday morning.
dmerhart 2019 AMG E53
dmerhart 2019 AMG E53
Sorry this happened to you as you are not alone. However having just been through this I can tell you how this will probably go. They will download information from your car to the engineers who will in turn send response back to dealership advising that they see nothing unusual in the reports and to refer to the user manual that this is within the range of normal.
There is no solution until they fix their proprietary program. Their customer care program is useless. They called dealership to get the story before me and then never called me back.
After three weeks of stress dealing with this we sold the car back to the dealership that I owned for 3 months (4 weeks of which it was in shop for other electronic issues) at a loss of $6800.
NTHSA has heard this problem but will not take action. I suspect long term gains for safety overrule individual complaints. Still though it is worth filing a complaint. Perhaps eventually enough will complain. As I understand all 2022 models have this as standard. That just upped the number of people on the road with this problem.
There is no solution until they fix their proprietary program. Their customer care program is useless. They called dealership to get the story before me and then never called me back.
After three weeks of stress dealing with this we sold the car back to the dealership that I owned for 3 months (4 weeks of which it was in shop for other electronic issues) at a loss of $6800.
NTHSA has heard this problem but will not take action. I suspect long term gains for safety overrule individual complaints. Still though it is worth filing a complaint. Perhaps eventually enough will complain. As I understand all 2022 models have this as standard. That just upped the number of people on the road with this problem.
Was just driving down a neighborhood road, about 25 mph. Out of nowhere, the car made that screeching sound and braked hard to a stop. Threw everything off the seats. There was NOTHING around me. I pulled over and the displayed showed the car and red highlights around the back of the car. There was nothing around. If there would have been a car behind me, it would have hit me for sure. Calling the dealer and heading over there Monday morning.
dmerhart 2019 AMG E53
dmerhart 2019 AMG E53
Hi All
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300
My brakes locked
The brakes on my 2019 E-300 locked up yesterday on coming down the canyon and a vehicle hit it from behind. I experienced this issue twice before and took the car To The service department at Mercedes Benz to have an inspection done on the vehicle. They assured me the car was fine and made it seem as thought I was over exasperated what truly happened. It wasn’t until I looked up on the internet last night to see if anyone else had experienced this issue and to my surprise found so many people who have. This could have cost the lives of several people. Please anyone if you have any further information on the please contact me. Thank you
MBWorld Fanatic!




Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 795
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
Just picked up a 2019 S63 and had the Active Brake Assist do this twice tonight on the freeway. Scared the heck out of me. I am going to take it in to the dealer next week.
Malfunction
They will inspect the vehicle, only to state they have found nothing wrong with your vehicle. It will then do it again when you least expect it and I hope it doesn’t cost you your life. I’m getting rid of my Mercedes after this accident, it’s definitely not worth my life and clearly Mercedes take no fault and makes there clients feel like they are crazy!.
So sorry your going through this!
Miranda Reynoso
So sorry your going through this!
Miranda Reynoso
Possibly bad auxilliary battery?
Different issues were driving me nuts with my 2013 GLK until "Auxilliary battery malfunction" popped up in the display. Seems to be the source of many evils.
Histrionic Plus brakes for no reason
My 2012 ML550 will apply brakes for no reason when using Distronic Plus in cruise mode. On freeway with very little traffic, with no one in front of me, on straight & level section of highway and clear weather, Distronic will start to apply brakes to slow down. Not emergency braking with alert tone. It just starts to apply brakes as if approaching traffic. It doesn't do it often but is concerning
Last edited by Plumbstar; May 28, 2022 at 02:18 PM.
Hi All
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300
Sudden brake and false alarm
My 2022 GLC 300 bought 2 months ago also had a false alarm with the red triangle and black car figure in the middle on dash, when I was reversing but nothing behind me. It then applied brake suddenly itself. The second time, it alarmed again with that red triangle, on a local road with no car even nearby.
Last edited by Jing Z.; Nov 18, 2022 at 03:29 AM.
Adding my experience to the record
Joined the forum to join your list and report this happens constantly when backing out of certain tight parking spots at work that have bushes around them and cars parked closely behind. I'll be backing out extremely slowly with nothing moving around me when out of nowhere my music is cut off by the loud beep, then comes a terrifying and extremely loud metal grinding fart noise, along with aggressive braking.
This continues to happen repeatedly 3-4 times as i'm backing out of the spot. It's extremely embarrassing when other people are nearby getting in/out of their cars and see this, not to mention completely unsafe and unsettling.
I've also had more dangerous instances of this suddenly happening when moving along slower traffic on the highway. At ~30mph where vehicles are closely moving along the car just slams the brakes and makes that sound for no reason. No sudden stops around me or an unreasonable distance between cars.
When it happens with a passenger in the car the most alarming part seems to be the noise, and I don't see anyone commenting on it so I'm not even sure we're experiencing the same issue? It really sounds like we got into a terrible accident, people get very shaken up and point out this has never happened to their cars.
This is happening with the 2021 GLC300 I currently lease, but had the exact same problem with my previous 2019 GLC350e. Sensitivity setting is already the lowest.
I've replicated it for service and they also said this is how the vehicles are meant to operate.
This continues to happen repeatedly 3-4 times as i'm backing out of the spot. It's extremely embarrassing when other people are nearby getting in/out of their cars and see this, not to mention completely unsafe and unsettling.
I've also had more dangerous instances of this suddenly happening when moving along slower traffic on the highway. At ~30mph where vehicles are closely moving along the car just slams the brakes and makes that sound for no reason. No sudden stops around me or an unreasonable distance between cars.
When it happens with a passenger in the car the most alarming part seems to be the noise, and I don't see anyone commenting on it so I'm not even sure we're experiencing the same issue? It really sounds like we got into a terrible accident, people get very shaken up and point out this has never happened to their cars.
This is happening with the 2021 GLC300 I currently lease, but had the exact same problem with my previous 2019 GLC350e. Sensitivity setting is already the lowest.
I've replicated it for service and they also said this is how the vehicles are meant to operate.
Still doing it...
I still experience unpredictable "false braking" when using Distronic on my 2013 E350 wagon. It's extremely disappointing and I can't even shut it off and use "dumb" cruise control, it's either Distronic or no cruise.
I assume that nobody has had any luck in getting their dealer to admit this is a problem or find a fix yet?
I assume that nobody has had any luck in getting their dealer to admit this is a problem or find a fix yet?
I still experience unpredictable "false braking" when using Distronic on my 2013 E350 wagon. It's extremely disappointing and I can't even shut it off and use "dumb" cruise control, it's either Distronic or no cruise.
I assume that nobody has had any luck in getting their dealer to admit this is a problem or find a fix yet?
I assume that nobody has had any luck in getting their dealer to admit this is a problem or find a fix yet?
This happened to me today on a 2022 C300 loaner from the dealer while my 2014 GLK350 is in for heated seats burning a hole through the seats and my jacket while driving it. Just driving along around a straight road at 35mph and I jerk forward, the thing hugs me with the belt and slams the breaks (maybe not in that exact order). My daughter learned a few new words today.
Guess which brand car I’m buying once I repair and sell my GLK?
Guess which brand car I’m buying once I repair and sell my GLK?
Last edited by BenS; Jan 3, 2023 at 06:42 PM.
I have 2020 GLS 450 with 28500 miles . Same problem I had a couple days ago and today.
For no reason I heard two times noise and then car stopped ( brake assist)on the avenue,nothing was on front, drivers behind me I think had hart attacks.
For no reason I heard two times noise and then car stopped ( brake assist)on the avenue,nothing was on front, drivers behind me I think had hart attacks.
Random braking issue
I am having the same exact issue. 2022 GLE 53 AMG
Hi All
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300
I am the owner of a 2018 e400 wagon. My vehicle has persistent "false alarm" activation of the radar-driven safety systems, including the emergency braking system.
I'm in communication with MBUSA on these issues. Their position is that the system is "operating as designed" and they are refusing to take action. They are also telling me that mine is an isolated incident, which I know to be untrue from other forum members sharing their same issues.
What I'd like to try to do is get more visibility into how much this is occurring. I've seen at least 3 other members with the same issue just in the E-class forums, and a few scattered around other models. Maybe if we get a large enough group together, who are all experiencing these issues, we can get MBUSA to step up and do the right thing - before someone gets seriously injured, or worse, by these issues.
So if you are experiencing these issues - false alarms, sudden braking, the system killing the accelerator because it thinks there's an obstacle - please post below, and we will try to get some more attention focused on this serious issue.
Current list of members (as of Aug 28) who have experienced this issue and cited it in either this thread or another:
1. Me, e400 wagon
2. Sunrose 305, e300
3. Brittnie jane, C300
4. Diesel Dan, e550
5. RSnovi, glk250
6. DDgator, glc
7. Bert.DS glc350e
8. Senatov
9. Frandumont glc300 (dirty sensors?)
10. Mickhoog
11. The_Judge e400 coupe
12. sackboydad, e450 cab
13. Streamliner, s560
14. Absent, s560 (loaner)
15. Malmokalle, e class
16. MBZ2019, a class
17. Legume, e400 wagon
18. Darren Boey, C350e
19. Utsenmo, C300
Gla 200 2023 model
Driving on a straight road at 50mph and suddenly the brakes slammed on causing us to swerve left and right before luckily straightening up. My wife and I were sure we were going to crash. If we had been going much quicker this would likely have flipped the car.




