I live in Ontario, Canada and just took possesion of 2012 E550 in December of 2011. After driving it for a short while I noticed that when you remove your foot from the brake, the brakes seem to hold for a split second before releasing. It feels like the calipers are sticking and not releasing imediately. They took it for a test drive with me and the shop foremen noticed the problem right away. The car has been in the shop for a week and a half and they can't determine the problem. They said that they have bled the brakes, changed a couple of hoses, and updated the computer software but nothing has solved the problem. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the distronic feature. Any thoughts??? I'm starting to get a little worried.
Sounds like a software issue, actually. Isn't there a feature like hill hold, for the brake where if you tap it quick twice, it holds for an extra second? I don't have my owner's manual handy, or I'd look it up.
There is a brake hold feature on the vehicle. You must depress the brake pedal quite hard before it engages. It is designed to hold the vehicle on a steep grade when you release the brake. That feature works fine. My problem occurs almost everytime you apply the brakes. Thanks for the quick reply.
If dealer has not already done so request they contact MB TAC (technical assistance center) together with getting MB rep covering dealership involved to oversee progress.
Thanks Konigstiger! They have been talking to "Head Office" and I assume that it's the MB TAC you've mentioned in the previous thread. I'm going to call them now and see if there making some headway. I'll keep you posted.....and thanks again for your help.
I wonder if it could be related to the Brake Drying feature within the system that automatically applies pressure to keep the rotors dry during wet conditions which I imagine you experience a lot of this time of year. Maybe this system is malfunctioning and continually applying pressure when not necessary. Just a thought!
The last word from Head Office is that its the ESP Hydraulic pump unit. They have ordered one from Germany and expect delivery in 1 to 1-1/2 weeks. I hope this solves the problem. I will mention the brake dryer to them. I have my car back now and its nice to be back in it but the problem with the brakes is annoying. Thanks for your help.
I bought my 2012 E550 in early January and I know exactly what you are referring to. My car also has Distronic Plus, although I don't know if that matters. I believe these cars have some sort of automatic hill holding feature that doesn't release the brakes for a split second if it senses the car is stopped on a grade, and that seems to function properly. I am beginning to think it has something to do with that feature, perhaps it is a little too aggressive in its operation. This is different from the "hold" feature that must be manually engaged and is displayed in the DIC.
I have gotten somewhat used to it but it is still a bit irritating. It honestly seems to me that it is one of those glitches that is not going to be easily corrected so I really haven't pursued it. I will ask my SA about next time I am at the dealership if he has any information and I will pass anything along I hear.
At least you aren't alone!
Thank you. Keep an eye on this thread and hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be able to give you a positive update. I agree with you, I don't believe that this is going to be easily corrected. My fingers are crossed.
While we're on the subject of brakes, at completely random times I can hear a load groaning noise coming from the front brakes during moderate stops. Have you ever noticed your car doing that?
I heard this exact same noise twice yesterday for the first time since I bought my 2012
E550 a month ago. Have you received any answers or information since your post in February?
I took my car in on the 28th of February and on the 29th they phoned to tell me that the bracket that holds the hydraulic pump in place was cracked. A new part was ordered and they would be getting it on the 6th of March. This is exhausting. I really just want my car back. This process started back in mid January and I'm still waiting for them to make this car right. I'll keep you up to date as soon as I hear from Benz.
A good question for you to ask them when you get your car would be something like, "now how does a bracket that is intended to support the hydraulic pump suddenly become cracked?"
I just got off the phone with the service guy from Benz. He said the part has been installed but the problem remains the same. ##$$!!@@ He said that they are waiting to hear from head office on what to do next and that I could pick my car up tomorrow at 11:00am. My question to them is "how long does it take to get a response from head office!!!!" Any thoughts on what I should do next? Please help.
I'm sorry to hear this latest chapter. I have believed for some time that these cars have gotten so complicated that problems like this are hard to correct. One thought would be to drive another one to see if it has the same symptoms, but I'm betting they don't have another one. I guess you just have to be persistent for as long as you can bear it. This is exactly why I haven't taken mine in. Is there perhaps another dealer in your area you could take it to?
For a "Safety-Related" Issue (I would think the Brakes not releasing correctly would fall into this catagory), there are guidelines as to Number of Visits, or Time Spent Vehicle out of commision, which would entitle you to getting a Replacement E.
If I may give a tiny bit of advice when doing this, though... Do NOT have the stereotypical Americana attitude of "If you don't do what I want, I'm going to SUE YOU!"
I have had several dealings with MBUSA, with some friends in farily high positions within the company, and they always tell me the SAME thing... "The Upper Management (ie. those who will eventually need to sign off on a replacement), are all from Germany, and the one thing most Germans despise is Emotional approaches to problems."
You will get Waaaay further with a calm, logical and polite approach when dealing with Mothership.
Me, Personally, I wouldn't want to be driving a car which had ANY sort of brake issue. We are not talking "Oh, the Seat massager is not working to my liking" type of problem...
Thanks so much for the great information. I have contacted Mercedes Benz Canada and am in the process of trying to get this resolved in a "calm and orderly" fashion. At times its difficult. I picked my vehicle up this morning and have been told by the dealership that there waiting on further head office support and advice. Keeping my fingers crossed and head up.
I appreciate your feedback...Thanks! I'll keep you all posted.
I just bought a new 2012 E550 Coupe on Saturday (4 Days Ago) - 12 miles on the car. The weather here was perfect until today - heavy rain. When the weather was nice - and by extension the streets were dry - my car felt like a normal car when letting off the gas. When it rained today, I noticed exactly the same thing you are talking about. When I took my foot off of the accelerator the car definitely started to slow down on its own - as if it didn't want me to do it to fast. It was not a little noticeable, it was a lot noticeable. When I got home, I called my dealer to ask the question, "is that brake behavior normal?" Of course they said that they didn't know.
So here is my question. Is the weather where you are adverse - wet, icy - or anything else that would affect traction? Perhaps this is a safety feature? Don't know - as this is my first MB.
Tomorrow is supposed to be nice in the morning and wet here in the afternoon. If my car drives normally in the morning and reverts to the braking pattern after the rain starts, we have at least isolated the behavior. I'll let you know either way.
Page 63 of my owners manual under "Electronic Stability Program" (ESP) appears to explain what I experienced. It says that when the ESP system detects the vehicle is deviating from the desired direction of the driver, one or more wheels are braked to stabilize the vehicle and that the engine output may also be modified. You know the feeling, when you drive in heavy rain/hit standing water and the car pulls one way or when you hit black ice and the car continues in the direction of travel even though you are attempting to correct slightly with the wheel. I know that my steering is VERY sensitive.
The paragraph continues to say that the ESP feature is active all the time unless turned off manually and is most noticeable when pulling away or slowing down on wet or slippery roads. There is also an associated warning light that pops up in your instrument cluster that identifies when the intervention is happening. I have to admit, I did not see the light today, but that is not unusual given that I am still too busy trying to figure out all of the new buttons. Thoughts?
As previously stated in post 22, it was sunny this morning here in VA. My E550 brakes were normal all day - until the rain. Once it started raining hard, my car started braking again when I took my foot off the accelerator. I am convinced that this behavior - in my case - is due to the electronic stability control (ESC) feature. Next rain here is expected on Saturday. Before it starts, I will deactivate the ESC and see what happens. More to follow...
As previously stated in post 22, it was sunny this morning here in VA. My E550 brakes were normal all day - until the rain. Once it started raining hard, my car started braking again when I took my foot off the accelerator. I am convinced that this behavior - in my case - is due to the electronic stability control (ESC) feature. Next rain here is expected on Saturday. Before it starts, I will deactivate the ESC and see what happens. More to follow...
When the ESP is kicking in a yellow indicator in upper left corner next to the left turn indicator and the speedometer display would indicate. You will see the ESP indicator flashing and there's no question that it's doing its thing. Yes, it's on all the time but that means it's monitoring the sensors - but not actually doing anything until it senses a "stability" issue such as breaking traction, etc.
Next time you sense this happening, and you're in a safe place where you can momentarily look for the flashing ESP indicator.
My sense is that unless your wheels are losing traction requiring the ESP to kick in, your issue is something else.
The only time I have been able to get it to kick in is when I'm really pushing on the car and either beginning to slide latterally due to too fast on a sharp turn or accelerating rapidly and the rear wheels breaking traction.
Good luck.
broke my elbow last week...sorry for the punctuation. got a call from benz today. they say they ordered a transmission from germany..should be in this week. they say this should solve the problem. i don't know what to think. i thought it was just a dream but it's true...a new transmission. i'll keep you all updated. bob
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