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U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Mercedes Benz 211 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

143,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 13 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior753.8%
Fuel system concerns323.1%
Engine operation17.7%
Electrical and battery issues17.7%
Steering behavior17.7%

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.

Service Brakes
7
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Engine
1
Fuel System, Diesel
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes7
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Engine1
Fuel System, Diesel1

Service Brakes: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 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.

2014
4
2015
3
2016
1
2017
3
2018
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20144
20153
20161
20173
20182

2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 2

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10788820 · 2015-11-06 (November 6, 2015)

CAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. A RED LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH SAYING "REDUCED BRAKING POWER".

Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788820 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10812021 · 2015-12-24 (December 24, 2015)

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE …

Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10812021 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10563327 · 2014-02-06 (February 6, 2014)

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 MERCEDES E55 AMG (AKA 211 & W211). I HAVE EXPERIENCED STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AFTER REFUELING MY CAR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE SMELL OF GAS IS STRONG NOT ONLY INSIDE THE CAR, BUT FILLS THE ENTIRE GARAGE AND FUMES ARE NOTICED INSIDE THE HOUSE AS WELL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A LEAKING FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILTER MODULES NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL STICKER REFERENCING 2008020001 FROM 2009 ON THE UNDER SIDE OF MY HOOD. THIS IS FROM A PREVIOUS ATTEMPT BY MERCEDES TO FIX THIS…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563327 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10578964 · 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)

AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK AND FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AFTER UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL IS USED DOWN TO ALMOST HALF FULL, THERE IS S VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND WHEN PARKED, FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHEN IT IS PARKED ESPECIALLY IN THE GARAGE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 158,331 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578964 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11128317 · 2018-09-09 (September 9, 2018)

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF RANDOMLY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY AND I WILL LOSE STEERING AND MY BRAKING ABILITIES. THE SBC PUMP ALREADY HAD BEEN REPLACED AND MERCEDES HAS NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO REIMBURSE ME, MULTIPLE AREAS OF THE WIRING HARNESS WILL CRUMBLE IN YOUR HAND INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE TRUNK HAD PINCHED WIRES SHORTING OUT AND CAUGHT FIRE LUCKILY I HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE AT THAT TIME TO WITNESS AND PUT IT OUT. THE CAR WILL START UP AND DRIVE AND STALL OUT RANDOMLY NOW AT ANY SPEEDS OR EVEN BEING STOPPED.

Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11128317 at NHTSA ↗