2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 25%of 203 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320, 25% of the 203 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,500 miles. 5 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.
“I was driving down a paved road, went to make a left hand turn and my esp came on, vehicle shut off and almost ran me into another vehicle, which then caused me to run into the ditch. Now I'm finding out that there is a recall on the sbc unit, which is what's wrong with my car, but the recall is not showing up for my VIN number. I am very, very disappointed/frustrated by mercedes. This is a very expensive part to replace. …”
NHTSA complaint #10948046, filed 2017-01, 145,000 miles“On 12/16/2020 while driving the brakes on my vehicle failed. A red warning triangle appeared on the vehicle message board stating the cars braking ability was severely reduced and to stop driving immediately. I was able to drift to the side of the road without incident and had the vehicle towed to my mechanic. The mechanic could find no mechanical reason for the brake failure. The red warning light was gone and the brakes were functioning normally. Online research revealed an extended warranty/recall for the year, make and model of the car related to brake failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386386, filed 2021-01, 110,000 miles“Takata recall. The brake light on dashboard came on few months ago. We had replaced brake pads etc, earlier and was told the sbc needed to be replaced. I went to 2 dealers in my area and they both stated it is not under warranty. I have read many comments about the faulty design from mbenz and do not understand why they do not want to replace it at their cost. Are they waiting for lawyers to sue for a fatal crash? I do not want to be the one dying nor anyone in my family. The car has only 106,331 miles. Can you help?”
NHTSA complaint #10914869, filed 2016-10, 100,000 miles“The sbc control unit failed. There was a red warning light on dash, that when I was in the road the brakes just about failed. When I shut off the car and tried to start again it would not let me move it from park position. Tried several times and was able to get it into neutral and drive to pull in position for the tow truck. In reading up on the web this is a known problem with the sbc control unit. I was fortunate to be close to home but this is a really dangerous problem. Mercedes put a limit on the unit to shut down without warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #11034134, filed 2017-10, 130,000 miles“Brakes failed three times today. At one point, we were forced to use emergency brake to stop, and at another point, we were forced to drive off into the grass to stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10789084, filed 2015-11, 70,100 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320
117 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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