Service brakes, hydraulic (Mercedes Benz)
Vehicle recall 04V-296. NHTSA received MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.’s report on Jun 22, 2004.
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The short answer
NHTSA received MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.’s report on Jun 22, 2004. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 24, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF VEHICLES ARE NOT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH MILEAGE COMBINED WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF BRAKE ACTUATIONS, OR A HIGH BRAKE ACTUATION FREQUENCY, THE PUMP MOTOR OF THE SBC MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES, THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) IS DESIGNED TO MONITOR THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WITHIN THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
IF AN UNACCEPTABLE PRESSURE GRADIENT IS DETECTED, THE SYSTEM WILL SWITCH, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, INTO THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, hydraulic.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT, REPLACING IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21M 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2004 050014.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 143,387 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- Mercedes Benz E Classand 2003, 2004 and 2005, before the model years listed here
- Mercedes Benz SL Classand 2003 and 2004, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 24, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 24, 2026.