U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Mercedes Benz E500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

140 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

99,625 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 124 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 55 of 140 complaints (39.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	53	37.9%
Braking behavior	40	28.6%
Electrical and battery issues	9	6.4%
Transmission and shifting	6	4.3%
Steering behavior	4	2.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel/Propulsion System

Service Brakes

Fuel System, Gasoline

Suspension

Engine

Electrical System

Air Bags

Power Train

Fuel/Propulsion System: 55; Service Brakes: 34; Fuel System, Gasoline: 20; Suspension: 9; Engine: 8; Electrical System: 6; Air Bags: 5; Power Train: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 47; 150,000 and above: 15

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (47). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2005

2006

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 13; 2013: 24; 2014: 31; 2015: 17; 2016: 8; 2017: 6; 2018: 11; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 2

Pattern summary

Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 53 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10398248 · 2011-04-29 (April 29, 2011)

2005 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS HAS FUEL TANK ISSUES. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE 2 TO 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. FIRST THE FUEL CAP INDICATOR COMES ON, LATER TRIGGERING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO APPEAR AND UPON REPAIR ATTEMPTS EVERYTHING BUT THE FUEL TANK IS SUSPECTED. THE END RESULT AFTER ADJUSTING AND TWEAKING MANY OTHER PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM, REPLACING THE FUEL TANK RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THIS IS UNSAFE. A FEW OWNERS REPORTED A FILTER VALVE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE BACK SEAT ACTUALLY GETTING HOT, VERY HOT WHILE…

Owner-reported narrative. 46,786 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398248 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10452616 · 2012-03-22 (March 22, 2012)

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN TANK IS HAS BEEN FILLED UP. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST PRESENT STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR AT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE. NOW I CAN SMELL IT INSIDE. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEED A $1300 DOLLAR REPAIR. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SENDING UNIT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF READING ABOUT THIS AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING A LOT OF E CLASS OWNERS FROM THE 2003-2009 PRODUCTIONS AND EVEN A COUPLE OF OTHER MERCEDES MODELS. ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISERS TOLD ME THEY ARE REPLACING A LOT OF TANKS, P…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452616 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10113529 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)

CONSUMER STATED 2005 E-500 MERCEDES-BENZ DID NOT STOP AND JUMPED OFF CURB AND CRASHED. *BF THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A GLASS DOOR OF A DENTIST OFFICE AND SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED IRREGULAR SPEED. THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES THE ENTIRE TIME. MERCEDES FOUND NO PROBLEM. REFER TO ODI# 10115643. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 1,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113529 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10134196 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)

DT: 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT RAN INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE CONSUMER'S FOOT MUST HAVE BEEN ON THE ACCELERATOR, NOT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS REPLACED FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST THE BODY PARTS. NO ONE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134196 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10104507 · 2004-12-26 (December 26, 2004)

CONTROLS ON STEERING COLUMN PERIODICALLY DO NOT WORK. WHILE MOST OF THESE ARE CONVENIENCE ITEMS, THE HORN ALSO DID NOT WORK. HAPPENED 4 TIMES--12/16 DRIVING TO WORK; 12/'20 DRIVING TO AND FROM DULLES AIRPORT; 12/26 IN THE MORNING. EACH TIME THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES F. DEALER SERVICED VEHICLE ON 12/22--SAID WIRING WAS REPAIRED BUT EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ON 12/26. RESTARTING CAR DOES NOT RESET THE CONTROLS. CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING WITHOUT AN OPERABLE HORN.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104507 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10331313 · 2010-05-20 (May 20, 2010)

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN AN ALERT THAT THE SRS SYSTEM HAD DETECTED A FAILURE AND LIT UP ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER. HAD A AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES SHOP READ CODES WHICH WERE: FAILURE OF SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON A 2005 MERCEDES E500 WAGON. THE "SRS" LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MERCEDES DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT SENDS AND RECEIVES DATA TO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG 1 CAUSED A FAILURE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SQUIB FOR THE AFFECTED AIRBAG. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN THE E…

Owner-reported narrative. 77,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331313 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10395727 · 2011-04-13 (April 13, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN; THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC UNIT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V133000, SERVICE BRAKES H…

Owner-reported narrative. 68,056 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395727 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10450273 · 2012-03-05 (March 5, 2012)

AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT AN ENTRANCE TO A BUSY HIGHWAY, MY 2005 E500 JUST BARELY MOVED ONTO THE BUSY HIGHWAY, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS "STUCK" IN ONE OF THE HIGHER GEARS. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND RESTARTED IT. AFTER RESTARTING, IT WORKED NORMALLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THEN. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THIS IS SEEMS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP, OR CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTIO…

Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450273 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

140 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

88.6%Usable mileage124 / 140 records

100.0%Valid incident date140 / 140 records

100.0%Valid filing date140 / 140 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates140 / 140 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Fuel/Propulsion System	2721.6% ODI 10459332 AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK GAS STARTED TO DRIP FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FLOOR. *TT Look up ODI 10459332 at NHTSA ↗	5639.4% ODI 10468809 · 53,000 mi AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT. YOU SMELL THE ODOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE GAS GOES BELOW ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK THE SMELL IS NO LONGER PRESENT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR Look up ODI 10468809 at NHTSA ↗	5539.3% ODI 10458733 · 70,000 mi I STARTED SMELLING A STONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK ON THIS CAR. AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 50 MILES, THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. TODAY, MAY 16, 2012, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DENVER MECEDES DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, NEXT TO THE TOP LEFT FUEL PUMP. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO YOUR INVESTIGATION ON PE 12-001. THE DEALER ASKED FOR $2000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PENDING THIS INVESTIGATION AND MERCEDES RESPONSE. Look up ODI 10458733 at NHTSA ↗	1632.0% ODI 10469587 FUEL TANK CRACKED. UNEXPLAINED, AND CONFIRMED BY DEALER. FUMES LEAK FROM EXTERIOR (CAN DETECTED WHEN TANK IS NEAR CAPACITY). CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. MB SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TANK. PE12001 (RELATED CASE IT WOULD SEEM) -- E CLASS. *TR Look up ODI 10469587 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11485122 I HAVE A SMELL OF FUEL ON THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL. SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM EITHER THE FUEL FILTER MODULE OR IT IS A TANK LEAK. I TOOK OFF THE REAR CUSHION AND WE CAN SEE AND SMELL FUEL VISIBLY ON THE LEFT SIDE UNDER THE SEAT QUESHON AND OVER THE FUEL FILTER MODULE. SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE 2003-2006 E CLASS AND THE 2006 CLS CLASS VEHICLE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE. I THINK IT WILL BE A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE INVESTIG… Look up ODI 11485122 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10644832 · 84,300 mi WHEN FILLING GAS TANK TO FULL, CAR SMELLS OF GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10644832 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10637130 · 126,000 mi MY E500 STARTED TO SMELL HORRIBLE AFTER ADDING FUEL, NOW MY VEHICLE SMELLS ALL THE TIME OF GAS THE FUMES ARE HORRIBLE. I AM CALLING MERCEDES IN THE MORNING, I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THIS, DEFINITELY CAN'T BE SAFE. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP THE FUMES ARE SO BAD. *TR Look up ODI 10637130 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	2923.2% ODI 10500903 · 131,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE AND SEIZED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ABS ANTILOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. Look up ODI 10500903 at NHTSA ↗	1913.4% ODI 10615041 · 140,510 mi WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE DASH WARNING SYSTEM TURNED BRIGHT RED WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY FAILED, SHE HAD NO BRAKES. SHE LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO HELP SLOW THE VEHICLE AS SHE SLOWED DOWN SHE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE SLOWLY APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND SHIFTED IT INTO PARK. SHE THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND CYCLED THE IGNITION KEY. THERE WAS NO LON… Look up ODI 10615041 at NHTSA ↗	3424.3% ODI 10554401 · 89,000 mi DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES GOING DOWNHILL IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. RED BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER VEERED OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN, RED LIGHT IN DASH WAS GONE, NO WARNINGS EXISTED, AND BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 115,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY). SLOWLY DROVE VEHICLE TO… Look up ODI 10554401 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10819468 · 127,209 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OFF THE FRWY AND WAS TURNING ON THE RAMP WHEN MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING Look up ODI 10819468 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	1411.2% ODI 10433623 · 40,000 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND UNTIL I DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY A GERMAN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT IT IS A CRACKED GAS TANK AND THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES E-CLASS MODELS FROM 2003-2005. THE SMELL APPEARS TO BE EMANATING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN EUROPE AND ASIA BUT THAT MERCEDES NEVER ISSUED A RECALL IN THE US FOR THIS ISSUE DESPITE BEING EXTREMELY PERVASIVE. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNE… Look up ODI 10433623 at NHTSA ↗	2618.3% ODI 10102689 · 1,500 mi TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR : THE FUEL CANISTER TOUCHES THE CHASIS AND MAKE LOUD TAPPING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR, REPORTED THIS TO MBUSA AND REPERESETATIVE PUT INSULATION AROUND FUEL CANISTER AND WHICH IS NOT SAFE. *JB Look up ODI 10102689 at NHTSA ↗	2014.3% ODI 10281194 · 61,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 E500 MERCEDES BENZ. A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND IN HIS GARAGE. FUEL ALSO LEAKS OUT OF THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. Look up ODI 10281194 at NHTSA ↗	1224.0% ODI 10366573 · 39,700 mi STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF CAR FOR 2-3 DAYS AFTER GAS FILL UP. CAR INTO MERCEDES BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES FL. OCT. 10, 2010. REPLACED L/SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE REMAINED SO STRONG COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS OR PARK IN GARAGE. CAR BACK TO MERCEDES NOV. 5, 2010. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY GAS TANK VENT. REPLACED GAS TANK GOT CAR BACK NOV. 13, 2010. REPAIRS WELL OVER $2000. EVEN THOUGH CAR EMITTED GAS SMELL DETECTABLE FROM 50 FEET, AND CLEARLY UNHEALTHY TO DRIVE, NOT CONSIDERED EMISSION ISSUE. M… Look up ODI 10366573 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	1310.4% ODI 10381948 · 66,002 mi BOTH FRONT AND REAR AIR SHOCKS WENT WITHIN 2000 MILES OF EACH OTHER 64000 AND 66000 MILES. THESE SHOCKS ARE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THEY WERE NOT ENGINEERED PROPERLY OR THEY SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. MERCEDES WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT.. Look up ODI 10381948 at NHTSA ↗	2014.1% ODI 10330982 · 108,000 mi THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES - FIRST IN MARCH 2010, THEN APRIL 2010, AND NOW MAY 2010. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FIRST 2 INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DROPPED AND THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. IT IS NOW DROPPING ON THE RIGHT AGAIN, AND PULLS STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEALER. EVEN THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYSTEM FAILS, AND FAILS IN A MANNER IN WHICH THE WHOLE … Look up ODI 10330982 at NHTSA ↗	96.4% ODI 10472664 · 21,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,600. Look up ODI 10472664 at NHTSA ↗	36.0% ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	21.6% ODI 11004205 · 152,801 mi 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 WAR… Look up ODI 11004205 at NHTSA ↗	74.9% ODI 10091345 · 11,400 mi ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE FROM AIRCRAFT CAUSED LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN PARKED AT AIRPORT AND DRAINED BATTERY. CAR PARKED MORNING OF 9/4/04. SINGLE INCIDENT OF CAR ALARM REPORTED EVENING OF 9/6/04. RETURNED TO CAR 9/11/04 AND FOUND LIGHTS IN OFF POSITION AND BATTERY DRAINED. *AK Look up ODI 10091345 at NHTSA ↗	64.3% ODI 10331313 · 77,100 mi DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN AN ALERT THAT THE SRS SYSTEM HAD DETECTED A FAILURE AND LIT UP ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER. HAD A AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES SHOP READ CODES WHICH WERE: FAILURE OF SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON A 2005 MERCEDES E500 WAGON. THE "SRS" LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MERCEDES DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT SENDS AND RECEIVES DATA TO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG 1 CAUSED A FAILURE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SQUIB FOR THE AFFECTED AIRBAG. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN THE E… Look up ODI 10331313 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10896312 · 105,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE CLUSTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE CLUSTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. Look up ODI 10896312 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	10.8% ODI 10808274 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBINE SENSOR, THE WHEEL, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND THE COIL PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH… Look up ODI 10808274 at NHTSA ↗	74.9% ODI 10504055 · 105,000 mi AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR Look up ODI 10504055 at NHTSA ↗	85.7% ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10690766 · 82,000 mi REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AIRBAGS LEAKING ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. Look up ODI 10690766 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	75.6% ODI 10121208 DT: THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT ON OCT. 21 2004 HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 2004050014-SBS. THE RECALL WAS REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE LINE FROM THE BRAKE FLUID LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN CUT AND IT LOOKED LIKE ELECTRICAL TAPE HAD BEEN PLACED AROUND IT WERE THE CUT WAS LOCATED. HE TALKED TO MERCEDES AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK WITH HIM YET. HE HAS ALSO REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT UNIT WHICH CONTROLS ALL THE LIGHTS. *JB Look up ODI 10121208 at NHTSA ↗	53.5% ODI 10117540 2004 500E ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *NO ANSWER REQUIRED. MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS THAT WHEN ALL BRAKES ARE LOCKED, IT WILL THEN PULSATE THE BRAKES SO THAT THE DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE TO. THE CONSUMER STATED ON HIS VEHICLE THE BRAKES SYSTEM COULD LOCK WITHOUT PULSING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES DID NOT LOCK AND THE BAS DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. *JB Look up ODI 10117540 at NHTSA ↗	42.9% ODI 10395727 · 68,056 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN; THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC UNIT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V133000, SERVICE BRAKES H… Look up ODI 10395727 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10151553 · 100 mi DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS, AND STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THERE WAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARDER AND THERE WAS SLIGHT POWER AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE TURNED OFF AND ON TO RESTORE BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE STOPPING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WA… Look up ODI 10151553 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	64.8% ODI 10137154 I HAD AN ACCIDENT TODAY THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER WHERE ANOTHER CAR CRASHED INTO ME CAUSED CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. THE OTHER CAR WAS GOING AT LEAST 40-50 MPH. THE OTHER CAR WAS NOT AS DAMAGED AS MINE AND NO INJURIES RESULTED YET. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. *NM Look up ODI 10137154 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	53.6% ODI 10777865 · 100,102 mi I AM REFERENCING A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN P-B-91.60/99E. THE CONTROL CLUSTER SHOWS SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MERCEDES DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE CARE ANALYZED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: DTC 9103 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/13 IS TOO HIGH) AND DTC 9123 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/14 IS TOO HIGH). BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAULTY SCM HARNESS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DANGEROUS AN… Look up ODI 10777865 at NHTSA ↗	48.0% ODI 10836703 · 143,619 mi THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL AS A REGISTERED OWNER AND THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. Look up ODI 10836703 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel/Propulsion System	70,501–146,736 mi	105,400 mi	48	ODI 10458733 · 70,000 mi I STARTED SMELLING A STONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK ON THIS CAR. AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 50 MILES, THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. TODAY, MAY 16, 2012, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DENVER MECEDES DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, NEXT TO THE TOP LEFT FUEL PUMP. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO YOUR INVESTIGATION ON PE 12-001. THE DEALER ASKED FOR $2000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM WAITING FOR THE REPAIR PENDING THIS INVESTIGATION AND MERCEDES RESPONSE. Look up ODI 10458733 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10465341 · 105,000 mi STRONG ODOR OF FUEL/GASOLINE VAPOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR USUALLY OCCURS FOR UP TO 48 HOURS AFTER REFUELING OF THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AFTER SITTING IN ENCLOSED SPACE (GARAGE) OVERNIGHT. HAVE FOUND LEAKAGE RESULTS RAW FUEL POOLING AND/OR SPRAYING ON VEHICLE UNDERSIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. RESEARCH POINTS ME MARCH, 2008 EMISSIONS RECALL CONDUCTED BY MERCEDES BENZ (EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN # 2008-020001) WHICH INVOLVED POTENTIAL CRACKING OF THE FUEL FILTER MODULE IN VEHICLES EXPOSED TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. TR Look up ODI 10465341 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10472898 · 147,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE GARAGE WHERE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT SOON DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED TO AVOID REFUELING THE FUEL TANK TO CAPACITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE CU… Look up ODI 10472898 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	90,000–129,750 mi	109,034 mi	32	ODI 10554401 · 89,000 mi DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES GOING DOWNHILL IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. RED BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER VEERED OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN, RED LIGHT IN DASH WAS GONE, NO WARNINGS EXISTED, AND BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 115,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY). SLOWLY DROVE VEHICLE TO… Look up ODI 10554401 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10618460 · 106,068 mi I TOOK MY CAR IN ON JULY 14, 2014 AFTER RECEIVING A BRAKE REPAIR ALERT ON MY DASHBOARD 1 DAY EARLIER. THE DEALER, JACK INGRAM MERCEDES, RAN A DIAGNOSTIC & REPORTED THE BRAKE PRESSURE RESERVOIR NEEDED REPLACING. I GOT THE ESTIMATE, PICKED THE CAR UP & TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. JULY 16, 2014 I RETURNED TO JACK INGRAM MERCEDES & REQUESTED ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC. THE REPAIRMAN TOLD US THE BRAKE PRESSURE RESERVOIR NEEDED REPLACING & HE FLUSHED THE BRAKE FLUID. WE AGREED TO THESE REPAIRS WHICH COST $1767. THE DAY WE WERE EXPECTING TO … Look up ODI 10618460 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10639549 · 95,500 mi THE SBC SENSONIC BRAKE CONTROL ON MY 2005 MERCEDES WAS FAULTY AND ACCORDING TO RECALL WEBSITE ON THIS VEHICLE THIS IS A RECALL PART REPORTED TO NHTS. RECALL # 2005070007 AND 2005110001 THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART FOR FREE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A RECALL PART. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM THE DEALER MARCH 2013 BUT THEY DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AFTER I ASKED THEM IF ANY RECALL ON 2005 MERCEDES. THE SERVICE MGR SAID ITS A WARRANTY ISSUE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE RECALL DOES NOT EXPIRE. AND IS NOT THE SAME AS WARRANTY. … Look up ODI 10639549 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	51,000–92,000 mi	71,000 mi	17	ODI 10281194 · 61,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 E500 MERCEDES BENZ. A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND IN HIS GARAGE. FUEL ALSO LEAKS OUT OF THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. Look up ODI 10281194 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10398248 · 46,786 mi 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS HAS FUEL TANK ISSUES. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE 2 TO 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. FIRST THE FUEL CAP INDICATOR COMES ON, LATER TRIGGERING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO APPEAR AND UPON REPAIR ATTEMPTS EVERYTHING BUT THE FUEL TANK IS SUSPECTED. THE END RESULT AFTER ADJUSTING AND TWEAKING MANY OTHER PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM, REPLACING THE FUEL TANK RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THIS IS UNSAFE. A FEW OWNERS REPORTED A FILTER VALVE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE BACK SEAT ACTUALLY GETTING HOT, VERY HOT WHILE… Look up ODI 10398248 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10452616 · 86,000 mi STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN TANK IS HAS BEEN FILLED UP. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST PRESENT STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR AT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE. NOW I CAN SMELL IT INSIDE. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEED A $1300 DOLLAR REPAIR. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SENDING UNIT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF READING ABOUT THIS AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING A LOT OF E CLASS OWNERS FROM THE 2003-2009 PRODUCTIONS AND EVEN A COUPLE OF OTHER MERCEDES MODELS. ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISERS TOLD ME THEY ARE REPLACING A LOT OF TANKS, P… Look up ODI 10452616 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	50,384–157,250 mi	121,000 mi	6	ODI 10472664 · 21,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,600. Look up ODI 10472664 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10609311 · 27,179 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SUDDENLY THE 'STOP CAR, CAR TOO LOW' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FOLLOWING DAY, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE LOW REACHING THE TOP WHEEL RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,179. Look up ODI 10609311 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10732039 · 122,000 mi SUFFOCATING OIL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AUTOMOBILE. PREGNANT WIFE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF. PASSENGER FRONT SUSPENSION HAS LIQUID SPLATTERING ON UNDERNEATH OF ENGINE HOOD. SUSPENSION MAKES EXTREME LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN GOING UP HILL OR OVER A BUMP. Look up ODI 10732039 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	90,913–145,375 mi	122,000 mi	7	ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10553464 · 76,845 mi CODE: 4A30 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCORRECT CONTROL MODULE. CODE: 54F0 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROL UNIT TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS SPORADICALLY DISTURBED. SAFETY ISSUE: I RECENTLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO PROCEED NORMALLY WITH THE VEHICLE NOW STUCK IN 5TH (OR WHATEVER THE SENSOR CHOOSES) GEAR, AND NO POWER STEERING- THERE IS A REASONABLE USER PRESUMPTION THAT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND BE ABLE TO SAFELY JOIN TRAFFIC....INSTEAD IT CRAWLS FORWARD AT A FEW MILES AN HOUR INTO POTENTIAL H… Look up ODI 10553464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10556396 · 104,981 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKING POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INF… Look up ODI 10556396 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	100,102–129,000 mi	123,000 mi	5	ODI 10331313 · 77,100 mi DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN AN ALERT THAT THE SRS SYSTEM HAD DETECTED A FAILURE AND LIT UP ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER. HAD A AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES SHOP READ CODES WHICH WERE: FAILURE OF SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON A 2005 MERCEDES E500 WAGON. THE "SRS" LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MERCEDES DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT SENDS AND RECEIVES DATA TO DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG 1 CAUSED A FAILURE IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SQUIB FOR THE AFFECTED AIRBAG. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN THE E… Look up ODI 10331313 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10731830 · 134,750 mi ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO A STOP. TWICE IT OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND ONCE IT HAPPENED AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN OFF-RAMP, EXITING I-95. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS, AT THE STOPLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, ON THE OFF-RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT WAS ALLOWED TO COOL FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ON THE OFF-RAMP. AFTER THE THIRD OCCASION, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWE… Look up ODI 10731830 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10747712 · 123,000 mi JUST RECEIVED MY E500 FROM THE MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR SHOP 2.5 WEEKS AGO. THEY FIXED THE PREVIOUS INTERIOR OIL SMELL, HOWEVER I NOTICED MY ALARM GOING OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING OR BY ITSELF SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWO DIFFERENT DAYS BUT THE CAR STILL DROVE. THEN I WENT TO OPEN MY CAR YESTERDAY MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK AND THE CAR HAS NO POWER. I'M ASSUMING THE ALARM EVENTUALLY WORE ON THE BATTERY. NOW I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE. HELP!!! Look up ODI 10747712 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	75,051 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10777865 · 100,102 mi I AM REFERENCING A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN P-B-91.60/99E. THE CONTROL CLUSTER SHOWS SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MERCEDES DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE CARE ANALYZED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: DTC 9103 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/13 IS TOO HIGH) AND DTC 9123 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/14 IS TOO HIGH). BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAULTY SCM HARNESS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DANGEROUS AN… Look up ODI 10777865 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10924886 · 25 mi TAKATA RECALL. Look up ODI 10924886 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11006335 · 50,000 mi AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT/INFLATION IMPACT INJURES PASSENGER, CAUSING LESION AND BURN. AT A SCHOOL OP SIGN INTERSECTION, MY VEHICAL WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE (T-BONE), BETWEEN THE FENDER AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE LEFT WAS DEPLOYED, THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SEVERELY INJURED MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. Look up ODI 11006335 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	90,913 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10553464 · 76,845 mi CODE: 4A30 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCORRECT CONTROL MODULE. CODE: 54F0 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROL UNIT TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS SPORADICALLY DISTURBED. SAFETY ISSUE: I RECENTLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO PROCEED NORMALLY WITH THE VEHICLE NOW STUCK IN 5TH (OR WHATEVER THE SENSOR CHOOSES) GEAR, AND NO POWER STEERING- THERE IS A REASONABLE USER PRESUMPTION THAT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND BE ABLE TO SAFELY JOIN TRAFFIC....INSTEAD IT CRAWLS FORWARD AT A FEW MILES AN HOUR INTO POTENTIAL H… Look up ODI 10553464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10556396 · 104,981 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKING POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INF… Look up ODI 10556396 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	24V874000	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	1	None	ODI 11675235 Car smells like gas. Constantly a couple machanic. Did some repairs. But there’s a small leak as well from a smoke test. Gas leaks in more than one area. Oil leaks everywhere. Evap leak didn’t pass smog. Then went to a smog station and repair. Check engine light back on again. I saw Mercedes had an extended warranty to avoid recalling several safety complaints. I got the car from a guy who never looked into recalls or extended warranty for these complaints. Please help me to get refunded what I payed so far with repairs on gas leaks. Also to re… Look up ODI 11675235 at NHTSA ↗
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	1	None	ODI 11706335 This is not about an accident. It's about the vehicle's condition. Precisely, about the brake service warning. Red warning with beeping on dashboard saying I need to bring it to workshop for service. My wife was driving this car when she felt something was wrong with the car and she brought it to her trustful mechanic for check up right away sameday That mechanic gave up to look any further suggesting a visit to MB dealer. Look up ODI 11706335 at NHTSA ↗
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2008	0	0	0
2009	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2008	1	0	0
2009	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Fuel/Propulsion System	Service Brakes	Fuel System, Gasoline	Suspension	Engine	Electrical System	Air Bags	Power Train
Fuel/Propulsion System	—	0	1 ODI 10508896 · 60,000 mi REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION #PE12001 LAST YEAR I BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE VAPORS WHEN MY MB E500 GAS TANK IS 100% FULL. THE SMELL FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER USING ABOUT 1/4 OF THE TANK. THE GASOLINE SMELL IS SO BAD, I NEED TO LEAVE MY GARAGE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN TO HELP REMOVE THE SMELL. CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF GASOLINE LEAKING ON THE GROUND, BUT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS VERY STRONG BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I'VE RESOLVED MYSELF TO ONLY FILLING UP MY TANK TO 75% FULL EACH TIME I RE-FUEL. I CANNOT FIND THE LEAK OR DETERMINE THE… Look up ODI 10508896 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11590352 2005 e500 mercedes benz,after full tank of gas I filled. I noticed very strong gas inside my car and outside. It can catch on fired. cause cancer and lung issues. Look up ODI 11590352 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10732671 · 167,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. Look up ODI 10732671 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11675235 Car smells like gas. Constantly a couple machanic. Did some repairs. But there’s a small leak as well from a smoke test. Gas leaks in more than one area. Oil leaks everywhere. Evap leak didn’t pass smog. Then went to a smog station and repair. Check engine light back on again. I saw Mercedes had an extended warranty to avoid recalling several safety complaints. I got the car from a guy who never looked into recalls or extended warranty for these complaints. Please help me to get refunded what I payed so far with repairs on gas leaks. Also to re… Look up ODI 11675235 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Service Brakes	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 11475607 · 156,000 mi I was traveling at about 60mph and started to slow to turn off the highway. Suddenly a red brake warning light came on and it took tremendous pressure to slow the car down and I overshot the turn. Then the car had no power. I was 36 miles from my home. I limped at 5-20 mph to a friends house and had the car towed to my home. There was absolutely no warning of any kind of brake problem. The car was driving just fine before this happened. I believe it could have been a much worse situation had I been in any kind of traffic. Look up ODI 11475607 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11093239 · 129,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500W, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPC UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE … Look up ODI 11093239 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10924886 · 25 mi TAKATA RECALL. Look up ODI 10924886 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11475607 · 156,000 mi I was traveling at about 60mph and started to slow to turn off the highway. Suddenly a red brake warning light came on and it took tremendous pressure to slow the car down and I overshot the turn. Then the car had no power. I was 36 miles from my home. I limped at 5-20 mph to a friends house and had the car towed to my home. There was absolutely no warning of any kind of brake problem. The car was driving just fine before this happened. I believe it could have been a much worse situation had I been in any kind of traffic. Look up ODI 11475607 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	1 ODI 10508896 · 60,000 mi REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION #PE12001 LAST YEAR I BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE VAPORS WHEN MY MB E500 GAS TANK IS 100% FULL. THE SMELL FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER USING ABOUT 1/4 OF THE TANK. THE GASOLINE SMELL IS SO BAD, I NEED TO LEAVE MY GARAGE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN TO HELP REMOVE THE SMELL. CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF GASOLINE LEAKING ON THE GROUND, BUT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS VERY STRONG BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I'VE RESOLVED MYSELF TO ONLY FILLING UP MY TANK TO 75% FULL EACH TIME I RE-FUEL. I CANNOT FIND THE LEAK OR DETERMINE THE… Look up ODI 10508896 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	1 ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	1 ODI 11590352 2005 e500 mercedes benz,after full tank of gas I filled. I noticed very strong gas inside my car and outside. It can catch on fired. cause cancer and lung issues. Look up ODI 11590352 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 10732039 · 122,000 mi SUFFOCATING OIL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AUTOMOBILE. PREGNANT WIFE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF. PASSENGER FRONT SUSPENSION HAS LIQUID SPLATTERING ON UNDERNEATH OF ENGINE HOOD. SUSPENSION MAKES EXTREME LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN GOING UP HILL OR OVER A BUMP. Look up ODI 10732039 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Engine	2 ODI 10732671 · 167,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. Look up ODI 10732671 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11675235 Car smells like gas. Constantly a couple machanic. Did some repairs. But there’s a small leak as well from a smoke test. Gas leaks in more than one area. Oil leaks everywhere. Evap leak didn’t pass smog. Then went to a smog station and repair. Check engine light back on again. I saw Mercedes had an extended warranty to avoid recalling several safety complaints. I got the car from a guy who never looked into recalls or extended warranty for these complaints. Please help me to get refunded what I payed so far with repairs on gas leaks. Also to re… Look up ODI 11675235 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11475607 · 156,000 mi I was traveling at about 60mph and started to slow to turn off the highway. Suddenly a red brake warning light came on and it took tremendous pressure to slow the car down and I overshot the turn. Then the car had no power. I was 36 miles from my home. I limped at 5-20 mph to a friends house and had the car towed to my home. There was absolutely no warning of any kind of brake problem. The car was driving just fine before this happened. I believe it could have been a much worse situation had I been in any kind of traffic. Look up ODI 11475607 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10732039 · 122,000 mi SUFFOCATING OIL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AUTOMOBILE. PREGNANT WIFE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF. PASSENGER FRONT SUSPENSION HAS LIQUID SPLATTERING ON UNDERNEATH OF ENGINE HOOD. SUSPENSION MAKES EXTREME LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN GOING UP HILL OR OVER A BUMP. Look up ODI 10732039 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10731830 · 134,750 mi ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO A STOP. TWICE IT OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND ONCE IT HAPPENED AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN OFF-RAMP, EXITING I-95. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS, AT THE STOPLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, ON THE OFF-RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT WAS ALLOWED TO COOL FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ON THE OFF-RAMP. AFTER THE THIRD OCCASION, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWE… Look up ODI 10731830 at NHTSA ↗	0	4 ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10553464 · 76,845 mi CODE: 4A30 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCORRECT CONTROL MODULE. CODE: 54F0 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROL UNIT TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS SPORADICALLY DISTURBED. SAFETY ISSUE: I RECENTLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO PROCEED NORMALLY WITH THE VEHICLE NOW STUCK IN 5TH (OR WHATEVER THE SENSOR CHOOSES) GEAR, AND NO POWER STEERING- THERE IS A REASONABLE USER PRESUMPTION THAT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND BE ABLE TO SAFELY JOIN TRAFFIC....INSTEAD IT CRAWLS FORWARD AT A FEW MILES AN HOUR INTO POTENTIAL H… Look up ODI 10553464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10556396 · 104,981 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKING POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INF… Look up ODI 10556396 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	0	1 ODI 11093239 · 129,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500W, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPC UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE … Look up ODI 11093239 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10731830 · 134,750 mi ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO A STOP. TWICE IT OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND ONCE IT HAPPENED AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN OFF-RAMP, EXITING I-95. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS, AT THE STOPLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, ON THE OFF-RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT WAS ALLOWED TO COOL FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ON THE OFF-RAMP. AFTER THE THIRD OCCASION, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWE… Look up ODI 10731830 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10777865 · 100,102 mi I AM REFERENCING A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN P-B-91.60/99E. THE CONTROL CLUSTER SHOWS SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MERCEDES DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE CARE ANALYZED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: DTC 9103 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/13 IS TOO HIGH) AND DTC 9123 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/14 IS TOO HIGH). BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAULTY SCM HARNESS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DANGEROUS AN… Look up ODI 10777865 at NHTSA ↗	0
Air Bags	0	1 ODI 10924886 · 25 mi TAKATA RECALL. Look up ODI 10924886 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 10777865 · 100,102 mi I AM REFERENCING A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE BULLETIN P-B-91.60/99E. THE CONTROL CLUSTER SHOWS SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MERCEDES DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE CARE ANALYZED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: DTC 9103 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/13 IS TOO HIGH) AND DTC 9123 (THE RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT CONTAINING COMPONENT R12/14 IS TOO HIGH). BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAULTY SCM HARNESS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS DANGEROUS AN… Look up ODI 10777865 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Power Train	0	1 ODI 11475607 · 156,000 mi I was traveling at about 60mph and started to slow to turn off the highway. Suddenly a red brake warning light came on and it took tremendous pressure to slow the car down and I overshot the turn. Then the car had no power. I was 36 miles from my home. I limped at 5-20 mph to a friends house and had the car towed to my home. There was absolutely no warning of any kind of brake problem. The car was driving just fine before this happened. I believe it could have been a much worse situation had I been in any kind of traffic. Look up ODI 11475607 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗	0	4 ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S… Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10553464 · 76,845 mi CODE: 4A30 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCORRECT CONTROL MODULE. CODE: 54F0 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROL UNIT TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS SPORADICALLY DISTURBED. SAFETY ISSUE: I RECENTLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO PROCEED NORMALLY WITH THE VEHICLE NOW STUCK IN 5TH (OR WHATEVER THE SENSOR CHOOSES) GEAR, AND NO POWER STEERING- THERE IS A REASONABLE USER PRESUMPTION THAT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND BE ABLE TO SAFELY JOIN TRAFFIC....INSTEAD IT CRAWLS FORWARD AT A FEW MILES AN HOUR INTO POTENTIAL H… Look up ODI 10553464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10556396 · 104,981 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKING POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INF… Look up ODI 10556396 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

28 mentions · 20.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,650 mi (24 usable records).

ODI 10452616 · 86,000 mi

Look up ODI 10452616 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10454740 · 67,500 mi

STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING TANK. FUEL LEAKING AND PUDDLING ON TOP OF TANK. *TR

Look up ODI 10454740 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10454995

AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ,I PARKED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE . WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE CAR THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I DID NOT SEE ANY GAS LEAKING. WHEN I GET IN THE CAR THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS ON THE INSIDE. SO I DRIVE IT UNTIL THE GAS RUNS TO LIKE 1/4 OF THE TANK THINKING THE SMELL GOES AWAY. THE SMELL IS STILL THERE AND IS UNBEARABLE. THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND STILL REEK OF GAS SMELL. THE KIDS AND WIFE WILL NOT GO IN THERE CAUSE THE S…

Look up ODI 10454995 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

25 mentions · 17.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 117,000 mi (23 usable records).

ODI 10472664 · 21,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT THE MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,600.

Look up ODI 10472664 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10532168 · 40,000 mi

FUEL PUMP / SENDER FUEL LEAK UNDER REAR SEAT. HAS GAS SMELL AFTER GETTING GAS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY, ESPECIALLY IF ADD GAS MORE THAN 3/4 TANK. OVER THE YEARS (I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE), EVEN WITH 1/2 TANK GAS THE GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT CAR AS CPO IN 2008. THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE GAS CAP. REPLACED, NO IMPACT. I OPENED UP THE REAR SEAT AND CAN SEE GAS STAINS IN THE FUEL SENDER/PUMP CAP AR…

Look up ODI 10532168 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10550436 · 51,000 mi

I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE S…

Look up ODI 10550436 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

16 mentions · 11.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 103,000 mi (16 usable records).

ODI 10134196 · 1,000 mi

Look up ODI 10134196 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10395727 · 68,056 mi

Look up ODI 10395727 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10427912 · 111,000 mi

AFTER PICKING UP THE KIDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AND DRIVING HOME IT HAPPENED, AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE AND NO STOPPING POWER, RED LIGHTS CAME ON THE THE DASH TELLING ME I HAD A BRAKE FAILURE AND BRAKING POWER IS REDUCED!. WHAT A SCARY MOMENT! I WAS ABLE TO LET THE CAR ROLL TO A STOP SAFELY. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN ALL BRAKING POWER WAS RESTORED AND WAS ONCE AGAIN FUNCTIONAL. TOOK THE CAR INTO A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER THE NEXT DAY AN…

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Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 11289647

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE 'STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ENCINO [phone removed], LOCATED AT 16721 VENTURA BLVD, ENCINO, CA 91436). THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE VEHICLE …

Look up ODI 11289647 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 76,845 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10553464 · 76,845 mi

CODE: 4A30 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCORRECT CONTROL MODULE. CODE: 54F0 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROL UNIT TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS SPORADICALLY DISTURBED. SAFETY ISSUE: I RECENTLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO PROCEED NORMALLY WITH THE VEHICLE NOW STUCK IN 5TH (OR WHATEVER THE SENSOR CHOOSES) GEAR, AND NO POWER STEERING- THERE IS A REASONABLE USER PRESUMPTION THAT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND BE ABLE TO SAFELY JOIN TRAFFIC....INSTEAD IT CRAWLS FORWARD AT A FEW MILES AN HOUR INTO POTENTIAL H…

Look up ODI 10553464 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b