2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 30%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500, 30% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 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 started flashing a red warning sign while driving at which point I lost all brakes it was only right that I used a runaway ramp at the moment otherwise the car would have not stopped. I turned off the vehicle and then upon restarting everything brake related disappeared. Also this has happened a few times already.”
NHTSA complaint #11350363, filed 2020-08, 146,753 miles“As I were driving on a side road, suddenly a warning red light came on the dash flashing the brake sign. Soon after a message started to flash warning me to turn off vehicle. As I were proceeding to pull to a safe place, I pressed on the brake and found to my surprise that I had pressed on a soft pedal. Lucky I had kept my kool, and managed to pull over on a side street and brought the car to a stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10654901, filed 2014-11, 106,191 miles“Brake lights keep coming on so I had the brakes replaced. Brake lights still coming on, could not stop while in traffic with break pedal to the floor. Went to the mercedes benz dealership I was told my sensotronic brake control needed to be replaced. I am now hearing that there was a recall on the sensotronic brake control. Vehicle purchase 1 year ago, has just over 99k miles. Germain mercedes advised repair cost are $2500 and there is no warranty”
NHTSA complaint #10892965, filed 2016-08, 99,000 miles“I was driving and when I tried to brake. The brakes went all the way to the floor. Red light let up in the middle of the dash it said that brake malfunction. Sbc system failure. Had to glade to a stop and have the car towed.”
NHTSA complaint #10919026, filed 2016-10, 1 miles“I merged onto the 215 freeway heading north when at approximately 60mph a red stop sign showed up on my instrument cluster saying stop and something else that I don't remember. The car shifted down to second gear bells going off. I was only a couple miles from home. I am fortunate my wife wasn't driving. It was a very traumatic experience that no one should go through without warning. Can't believe mb has a safety item that works like this. This issue needs to be addressed before someone is killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10671544, filed 2015-01, 147,036 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…
- 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
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500
41 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500
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