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 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that there was leakage coming from the driver's and the passenger's side sunroof. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The contact was informed that the only warranty would be for the module. The contact stated as he was driving the vehicle into the dealer service center the ESP warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after the ESP warning light disappeared, the brake warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,648.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnose the failure to be the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) electronic braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but the pedal was stiff. The vehicle was taken to two dealers where it was diagnosed that the brake pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
I purchased the Mercedes Benz E500 2003 about five years ago. I noticed about 21/2 year that the brake lights kept coming on even after having the brakes replaced. The braking system light comes on and message states please stop your, the braking system is defective. This happen several times I was in traffic. I could not stop and when I turn the vehicle on, this message comes on the dash board. When I went to the Mercedes Benz dealership I was told my sensotronic brake control needed to be replaced. I was never told by any Mercedes Benz dealership that there was a recall on the sensotronic brake control. They just quoted me prices on replacing the sensotronic brake control, instead of telling me there was a recall. I need your help, because I was never notified, nor did the Mercedes Benz dealers tell me of the recall. Please email at [redacted] or contact at [redacted]. …
I recently found out that the cars built between 2003 & 2006 were built with the sensormatic brake control unit or sbc. Mercedes discovered that this brake system had a lifespan based on the number of times the brakes were pressed so they extended the warranty on this unit to ten years. From what I read, these units just fail, sometimes without notice, and the car is left with 10% braking power, which is not sufficient to stop a car, especially a car going 55 or 60 miles an hour. The ten year warranty does not make sense to me because the failure is based on usage, not time. My car is 13 years old and I just saw a message on my dashboard that indicates it is possible that I need to replace the sbc. This is a very expensive job, up to $2000 and I do not believe I or any owners should have to pay to fix it. …
Mzb issued a 25-year-warranty/safety recall extension on my 2003 E500 mzb car; #2005110001 -for the sensotronic brake system. Around August 2020 I was driving on surface street when suddenly the dashboard started flashing red warnings and the speed immediately reduced and transmission was locked in first gear. I was almost rear-ended and managed to pull car curbside. I then slowly drove car home, and the next day contacte a master ase mzb mechanic and had car towed there in temecula. He determined the sbc unit was the cause and even called mzb temecula to assure they had the part. He then informed me my car was under a 25-year recall extension to repair the safety- hazard issue. …
While driving down street brakes engaged on their own. Pulled car over due to warning light for brake malfunction as car down shifted itself. Tried to drive car once stopped and brakes were still engaged not allowing car to operate. Car was towed to dealership. They said the sbc hydraulic pump was defective and had been recalled by Mercedes but their time frame to get it fixed had expired. I had no knowledge due to buying the car used. I was informed that this defect affect several years of this model. I contacted mbusa they explained NHTSA didn't do the recall for this defect and the time they set for repair had expired. I told them the repair is $2100.and asked mbusa do they stand behind their product being the part was defective that they used on their vehicles. They told me they will do nothing about it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. While driving, the brakes failed and the driver was unable to immediately stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (Mercedes-Benz of north houston located in houston, texas) who indicated that the hydraulic sbc brake pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact indicated that the sbc brake pump was previously replaced in 2011. After retrieving the vehicle and while driving, several warning messages displayed, including the battery and alternator warning indicators before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery were faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 152,801. Updated 09/05/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500. While driving, the red brake warning indicator illuminated and a "decrease braking" message appeared. When attempting to apply the brakes, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Approximately five minutes later, the vehicle was restarted and functioned normally. The contact stated that the warning indicator remained illuminated and the brakes performed at a slower rate. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehcle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 04V296000 (service brakes, hydraulic), however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was applied but did not respond. The contact applied extreme force to the brake pedal, the vehicle spun around and crashed into a tree. The contact sustained whiplash and pains to the wrists due to the force from the impact that did not require medical attention. In addition, the head restraint air bags deployed on the drivers side and the front passenger side only. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the contacts residence and the vehicle was not diagnosed yet to determine how the failure happened. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Brake complaints in other E500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500, 30% of the model year's 125 complaints. The component named most often is power assist (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500, though it has 3 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.