2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brakes

Dealer notes: Replace rear brake lines, found to be rusty recommend replacement with rear subframe replacement. This is a very well known issue and is not covered under recall from manufacturer. It will cost $3200 for brake line repair alone, not including the subframe. This is an extreme safety hazard and a common problem that has been acknowledged by the manufacturer.

Rear brake lines are known to corrode. Had to get my line replaced at 78xxx miles. This is a common problem for the w212 Mercedes, along with the rear sub-frame rusting away. If the brake lines bursted when I was driving, I could of lost my life.

Brake lines have completely rusted through. Car had additional rust issues on the subframe which Mercedes admitted and replaced as part of an extended warranty . When that was repaired they never mentioned the brakes. Now 3 months later the brake lines rusted completely through … seems both subframe and lines rust at the same rate. And I would presume both cause equal safety risk. Why have they not yet issued an extended warranty on the brake lines? Both of these appear to be common issues. Hopefully NHTSA can encourage a change.

The known Subframe rust recall issue has caused the brake lines to rust and mercedes in St Louis wont cover the expense to fix this known extra problem. They want $2200.00 to fix the brakes that other dealers would charge half for. They want to escape this problem and I just want this fixed at their cost.

I bought my vehicle to the Mercedes dealership to get the rear subframe replaced under extended warranty due to it being rusted and broken from the rear suspension attachment points. While the Mercedes technician had the subframe removed he noted that the rear brake lines which are routed under the body and between the subframe had significant rust/corrosion on them.

Bake line rusted through and drained brake fluid. Dashboard lit up bright red with a warning not to drive the car. Brake failure, spongy brake.

While in a mall parking lot I stepped on the brake and the pedal went down to the floor. I pulled over into a safe location and placed the car in park. I got out and looked at all four wheels and saw brake fluid leaking out of the left rear brake line. I had the car towed to my authorized service center. After inspecting the auto they informed me both rear brake lines were severely rusted out and the left rear burst where it attached to the break hose. They replaced both rear lines and hoses from the center of the car back to solve the issue. This is the first time in all the cars I've owned (including 5 previous Mercedes) that I have had brake lines rust through. I feel this is an extremely serious safety issue that shouldn't occur on an 11 year old car with about 111,000 miles on it (about 10,000 miles/year). After researching this issue on various online forums it appears this was not an isolated incident and should be looked into.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATED AND WARPED PREMATURELY DUE TO THE FRONT DISCS AND ROTORS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE BRAKES HAVING A STRONG SENSATION, OVERHEATING, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING FROM 50-40MPH. TOLD BY A DEALER THAT ALL BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE (ESTIMATED $1200). CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT, KNOWN PROBLEM ON 2010-2012 E350/E550, YET MB REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR