The problem
On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the hydraulic function mode.
The risk
If vehicles are not routinely serviced and have extremely high mileage combined with a high number of brake actuations, or a high brake actuation frequency, the pump motor of the sbc May run out of permissible tolerances, thereby triggering the hydraulic function mode.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. The recall began on October 21m 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 04V-296 (04V296000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 2004050014 |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| Component | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| Report date | June 22, 2004 |
| Owners notified | October 21, 2004 |
| Vehicles affected | 143,387 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the brakes
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 04V-296 repair free?
Yes. Mercedes-Benz dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. The recall began on October 21m 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 143,387 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.