2005 Mercedes Benz 211 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (7) · Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Fuel System, Gasoline (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz 211 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (14)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-28 · LI82.10-P-078896 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamps leaking or fogged cause the fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. in contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. a leak test must be performed to determine i
Showing the 6 most recent of 14 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-09-09 · Service Brakes · 120,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“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…”
2018-02-06 · Service Brakes“car went into brake failure barely could stop the car once in park could not get into drive…”
2017-11-08 · Service Brakes · 143,000 mi“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-…”
2017-06-23 · Service Brakes · 83,000 mi“i was driving my mercedes e320 2005 on i-75 and took exit 107. when i pushed my brake peddle i had what seemed to be no brakes and a red warning light came on the dash. i ran the car off on the grass to slow the car down. i had a green light and ran on the side street. this could have been a very dangerous situation. i am upset that mercedes would …”
2017-01-09 · Service Brakes · 148,000 mi“sbc brake failure almost causes accident. i was driving down a 2 lane highway at 60mph and stepped on the brakes. at the moment i stepped on the brakes the dashboard started to blink red and beeping with brake failure message and there was no noticeable brake power. i pushed the pedal all the way to the floor and felt no resistance and very little …”
2016-08-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 50,000 mi“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.…”
2015-11-06 · Service Brakes · 146,000 mi“car brakes did not work. the car brakes failed while driving. a red light came on the dash saying "reduced braking power".…”
2015-09-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 160,955 mi“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 wal…”
2014-10-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System“strong smell of gasoline near left rear of vehicle when tank is filled. when tank gets to half full smell goes away. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.