Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
SBC braking system stated as covered under 25 year/unlimited miles warranty. SBC system failed on 2/1/25. Vehicle towed to local dealer service facility on 2/3/25. Tow was authorized at no charge by MB Roadside Assistance at no charge plus $100.00 credit toward diagnostic. Was told by phone on 2/3/25 that upon confirmation that SBC did in fact fail, the SBC replacement would be performed at no charge due to warranty through 2028. As of 2/10/25 service facility did confirm that the SBC system had failed. Currently, MB USA has a HOLD pending for authorization of repairs, with no reason given as to why as of 2/13/25.
Total brake failure Had to cross the over to the other side of the road to turn around. Was almost hit by an oncoming big rig truck . I've looked it up and this is a common occurrence on these vehicles,! They have a SBC unit that has caused numerous incidents exactly like mine . Someone could easily be killed because of this defect. I've read that they extended the warranty for 25 years . But I haven't been notified. They notified me about a recall of the sun roof but not this!!
The vehicle will flood after being exposed to rain which has caused all sorts of electrical issues. I have read online where several others have filed lawsuits regarding E class Mercedes for similar issues. The car's interior will take on water and since there's several electrical components running along the floor board of the car they will become damaged and cause the car's computers and electrical system to go crazy. I picked up my car from having the oil changed at a local service shop a few days after it was repaired and I was driving back home after the service pick up and the car completely lost power. I got out of the car and opened the trunk in which I had to do so by using the key inside of the key fob. …
October 26, 2022 my 2004 Mercedes model E320 W211 VIN # [redacted] dash pop out warning " Brake Wearing visit workshop" October 27, 2022 I had the brake pads and wear sensors both replaced and test drive verified car running normal for 30 minutes then dash pop out RED warning "Brake malfunction stop vehicle" plus transmission shifter stick to parking port can not be shift to other position, so can not drive and car being forced to stop on the road, I managed to press the lock off so can shift out of parking but there has no brake function when driving, I called MB USA and being advised that my car qualified to 25 years extended warranty for SBC hydraulic pump repair, 2005070007 2005110001 but when I tow my car to Mercedes dealer they said it only repair the Recall: 2020040011 - Sliding Roof Bonding - Phase 2, but the SBC Hydraulic pump may be at additional service charges, Please help …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop and all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. In addition, an error message displayed and informed the contact to immediately stop the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, but failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the curb, which caused the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was towed. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the computer system related to the brakes was reprogrammed. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sbc system failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
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. I should not have to pay out of pocket to fix my car, which is now sitting due to it not starting, especially if other same year vehicles were affected and theirs is covered under the recall. I think the entire situation is ridiculous! I will never own another Mercedes!!!
This was one of 4 accidents or fender benders I've been in in the last 14 months due to brake malfunction. I have changed my brakes 2 in 14 months and its not the brakes its a malfunction the brakes loose pressure the brake pedal goes completely down but do not actually brake with this I have hit 4 vehicles from behind.. I contacted mcb coral gables and they said they do not have any recalls therefore can only service it if I pay. I feel like I will likely get into a terrible accident , something needs to be done I am in danger..I do not have means of other transportation.
While driving on the freeway at around 60 MPH my instrument message display suddenly turned red, started beeping continuously, and displayed the message "stop break defective stop vehicle". The car had zero breaks, pumping them did no good, and I had to immediately put on my hazards, downshift to slow the car, and pull off the freeway and park using the emergency break to avoid a potentially life threatening accident. While waiting for help I turned the car back on after 15 minutes and everything appeared to be working fine. My car is serviced regularly and very well maintained and it gave no indication of any break problems prior to this failure. It had a full break job at the Mercedes Benz dealer less then 30K miles ago and was serviced for another issue in the last 1.5 years. At no time were my breaks mentioned as needing maintenance. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and traveled close to the floorboard. The contact stated that the brake pedal required excessive force to stop the vehicle. In addition, the ?brake longer distance visit workshop? Warning message appeared in red on the instrument panel. The contact was concerned that the failure could result in a fatal crash. The failure occurred every time the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sbc hydraulic unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer offered to cover ten percent of the cost, but the offer was declined. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 05V133000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 04V296000 (service brakes, hydraulic). …
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. They do not have any way to tell us owners when this will hit their limit. They should be forced to repair all of these sbc control units or at least find a way to tell us when it will happen. …
Brake complaints in other E320 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320, 25% of the model year's 203 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.