2005 Mercedes Benz 211: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 53.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 23.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10604600 · 2014-06-19 (June 19, 2014)
I FILLED THE CAR UP WITH GAS AND IT SET OVER NIGHT IN FRONT OF HOUSE. UPON MY RETURNING TO MY CAR THE NEXT DAY A STRONG GAS ODOR WAS OUTSIDE ON DRIVER SIDE.WHEN I ENTER THE CAR THE ODOR WAS ALSO STRONG. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING I FOUND THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I ALSO FOUND GAS UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS. THIS IS NOT SAFE OR HEALTHY. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 151,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650389 · 2014-10-27 (October 27, 2014)
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE NEAR LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN TANK IS FILLED. WHEN TANK GETS TO HALF FULL SMELL GOES AWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10650389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10776088 · 2015-09-24 (September 24, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED TO SEE IF ANY FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. NOTHING APPEARED TO BE LEAKING. I THEN OPENED UP THE HOOD FOR THE ENGINE, AND OBSERVED THE COMPARTMENT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO SEE IF THE ODOR WAS DETECTABLE FROM THE ENGINE. IT WAS NOT. I WALKED BACK TO THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE AND BEGAN TO DETECT THE ODOR ONCE MORE. I OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AND FROM THE BACK SEAT I COULD DETECT A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR, SO I GOT DOWN ON THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 160,955 miles reported. Look up ODI 10776088 at NHTSA ↗
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 10899135 · 2016-08-29 (August 29, 2016)
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE VAPORS IN GARAGE WHEN VEHICLE HAS A FULL TANK. FAINT SMELL DETECTABLE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SMELL SUBSIDES WHEN FUEL TANK LEVEL REACHES 3/4 TO 1/2 FULL.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899135 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.