2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 77about this part
- Share
- 36%of 214 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,030miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 77 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320, 36% of the 214 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,030 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle presented with red light indicating to take vehicle to workshop in red. Braking was extremely difficult, srs system stalled the vehicle, emergency mode was activited,we were unable, at first to turn on the ignition switch. The vehicle operated as if it was paralyzed. We finally got the vehicle to run and turned vehicle into mb dealership. We were informed that the sbc unit was in need of replacement, we were beset with 1,800.00 repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10721468, filed 2015-05, 125,000 miles“I own a 2003 E320 mercedes benz with 67,000 miles. I took my car to a dealership and was told my sbc unit needs to be replaced. I was also told that the warranty on this component was extended but is now outside the extended warranty period. Why was not covered by a recall rather than just an extended warranty? This seems to indicate mercedes is acknowledging a faulty component. This appears to potentially affect safety so I would hope mercedes would be eager to replace the sbcs.”
NHTSA complaint #10908052, filed 2016-09, 67,000 miles“My wife and I were traveling northbound on texas hwy 281 just north on marble falls texas. I noticed a train coming and started to slow down and made the decision to stop for the train! Well at that time my brake dash warning came on and it was all red and my brakes failed. Their I was not able to stop going 75 miles per hour (legally) and I could not stop and it was way to late for the train to stop also so I floored it to get over the tracks then I finally came to a safe stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10669994, filed 2015-01, 132,500 miles“Sbc pump went out in the middle of the night, on a lonely, dark two lane road without any notice that there was a brake issue, approximately 200+ miles from my home. Message indicator in car started beeping and an emergency message displayed stating brake malfunction, stop vehicle. Car hardly any brake power and could not be driven over 35 MPH. Pulled over and now car would not come out of park. Had to wait 3 hours for a tow truck! Luckily I did not have my family with me of which includes small children!”
NHTSA complaint #10855135, filed 2016-04, 108,000 miles“I been driving mercedes for passed 20 years but never experienced scary moment like this. Thursday 09/01/16 on my way home from work out of nowhere red brake warning light lid up my whole dash with big stop sign in the middle, flashing with esp and ABS saying visit workshop and I lost 90% of braking power.luckily, it happened on open road with cars far ahead of me. Pulled aside and after few restarts warning went off and I made it safely home without towing service, keeping my left foot close to emergency brake pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10904479, filed 2016-09, 122,000 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…
- 11020172Jul 2, 2025Complaint Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions. Cause Frictional vibrations Remedy AMG brake systems are designed for…
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 11031725Aug 17, 2018The purpose of this letter is to advise you of additional benefits that Mercedes-Benz is providing to you regarding your vehicle ownership.
- 11031585Aug 17, 2018The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year 2003-2012 Model 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 25…
- 10028644Dec 19, 2008Mercedes: vehicle fails star diagnosis test; inspect brake system for air." models 230, 219, and 211. Model years 2003-2009.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 17 | 41% |
| 2005 | 54 | 23% |
| 2004 | 50 | 25% |
| 2003 | 77 | 36% |
| 2002 | 3 | 13% |
| 2001 | 1 | 3% |
| 2000 | 6 | 14% |
| 1999 | 5 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320
88 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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