2005 Mercedes-Benz 211 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 54%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz 211, 54% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my mercedes e320 2005 on I-75 and took exit 107. When I pushed my brake peddle I had what seemed to be no brakes and a red warning light came on the dash. I ran the car off on the grass to slow the car down. I had a green light and ran on the side street. This could have been a very dangerous situation. I am upset that mercedes would design a system that could do this.”
NHTSA complaint #11000927, filed 2017-06, 83,000 miles“Sbc brake failure almost causes accident. I was driving down a 2 lane highway at 60mph and stepped on the brakes. At the moment I stepped on the brakes the dashboard started to blink red and beeping with brake failure message and there was no noticeable brake power. I pushed the pedal all the way to the floor and felt no resistance and very little braking power. I'm estimating 5% power from normal. I had to swerve to avoid the car in front of me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10943757, filed 2017-01, 148,000 miles“While driving the car will shut off randomly at high speeds on the freeway and I will lose steering and my braking abilities. The sbc pump already had been replaced and mercedes has not made any attempt to reimburse me, multiple areas of the wiring harness will crumble in your hand inside the engine compartment, the trunk had pinched wires shorting out and caught fire luckily I had been in the garage at that time to witness and put it out. The car will start up and drive and stall out randomly now at any speeds or even being stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #11128317, filed 2018-09, 120,000 miles“This vehicle is equipped with sensotronic brake control that has a service threshold. When this threshold is reached the brake system defaults to non power assisted hydraulic mode to the front wheels only. This occurs without any prior warning and results in increased stopping distance. I have sent a copy of the mercedes service bulletin s142.46-p-0012a which addresses this issue. Mercedes stopped installing this system in 2006. …”
NHTSA complaint #11044436, filed 2017-11, 143,000 miles“This vehicle is equipped with sensotronic brake control that has a service threshold. When this threshold is reached the brake system defaults to non power assisted hydraulic mode to the front wheels only. This occurs without any prior warning and results in increased stopping distance. I have sent a copy of the mercedes service bulletin s142.46-p-0012a which addresses this issue. Mercedes stopped installing this system in 2006. …”
NHTSA complaint #10812021, filed 2015-12, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 | 54% |
| 2003 | 3 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz 211
← All problems reported for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz 211
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology