2003-S600 * 2003-S500 * 2003-S500 4-MATIC * 2004-CLK55 * 2005-E500
Here are some very common reports about Mercedes Benz's inherently dangerous vehicles. Year, make, model, VIN and owner's name and number are provided when available in this guide. Many of these reports are verified by MyCarStats.com
Many Mercedes owners know the Benz is a great car.....but Mercedes really screwed up the electronics over the past 5 years. They admit making the huge quality control error, and they are trying to correct it in the future. In the mean time, there are a ton of defective ones 'out there' on the road, or waiting to be bought as pre-owned. Mercedes owners (as I recently was) simply cannot believe their "Alpha" vehicle has an inherent electrical problem, but folks, IT DOES. Here are some owners who have chosen to share their experiences with others. There's a chance your Mercedes has these problems. You may think "it's a cutting edge car, and it needs more maintenence". That's the story Mercedes will tell you. If you know cars, like I do, if you know the auto industry like I do, you will understand why I demanded a refund within 30 days of ownership of my S430, and my wifes CLK430.
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10159754
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Details: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS HAVING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE GAUGES ARE UNREADABLE DURING THE DAY AND AT NIGHT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.*AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10029303
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Details: RE: 2003 S600 WDBNG76J63A338722 MY RELATIVELY NEW (3000 MILES) S600 HAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE NEW V12 ENGINE THAT HAS NOW DEVELOPED INTO A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK FOR THE DRIVER. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE MORE THAN 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM - IT HAS BEEN ESCALATED TO THE TECH CENTER BY MY DEALER - IT HAS NOT EVER BEEN FIXED. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE REGULARLY FOULED BY MISFIRING CYLINDERS (1,2,7,8) - THE DEALER SAYS IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT MBUSA HAS FAILED TO FIX..AND NOW - WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEED OVER RELATIVELY MODEST BUMPS - THE CAR TOTALLY DIES AND ALL POWER IS GONE...THE SRS LIGHT COMES ON FOR A MOMENT BUT ALL STEERING ON THE CAR IS GONE AND (IF YOU ARE NOT KILLED IN THE MEANTIME) YOU NEED TO STEER THE CAR MANUALLY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT COASTS TO A STOP. THIS IS A DEADLY DRIVING HAZARD - MBUSA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PERMITTING IT TO CONTINUE...YOU HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY PRIOR WRITTEN MATERIALS INCLUDING THOSE CONTAINED IN YOUR OWN SURVEYS TO ME...THE CAR IS A LEMON AND I WANT A NEW CAR OR WE WILL BEGIN SUIT AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL LEMON AND FRAUD PROCEEDINGS ..WE WILL ALSO FILE A DEMAND WITH NHTSA THAT AN IMMEDIATE RECALL BE REQUIRED OF MBUSA ON ALL S6OO CARS WITH THIS ENGINE... NOTE THIS CYLINDER PROBLEM BEGAN TO APPEAR AT 700 MILES&.IN MARCH, 2003 IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN APRIL, 2003 AT 1000 MILES IT HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED&. IN THE MEANTIME, THE NEW PROBLEM OF THE POWER FAILING ENTIRELY HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS HOWARD A. TULLMAN 847-448-2310. *AK
Fail Date: 06/13/2006 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 6/13/2006
Date added to datbase: 6/13/2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10160181
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Details: MY 2003 MERCEDES S500 HAS TWICE ELECTRONICALLY SELF-CLOSED IT'S TRUNK ON TWO SEPARATE USERS, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO SEPARATE MERCEDES DEALERS FOR THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THOSE DEALERS REPLACED A NUMBER OF PARTS. DESPITE DOING SO, THE SECOND OCCURRENCE (LAST NIGHT), LEFT MY OTHER HALF IN TEARS, PAIN, WITH A RECESS IN HER HEAD AND A HEADACHE. THE ELECTRONIC TRUNK LID HAS HAD INSTANCES WHERE IT DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. THEN THERE IS THE MORE SERIOUS AND I BELIEVE POTENTIALLY LIFE TREATING, UNPROVOKED, UNEXPLAINED AND AS YET UN FIXED ELECTRONIC CLOSING THAT HAS TWICE OCCURRED WHEN PUTTING IN OR REMOVING GOODS FROM THE TRUNK. I WOULD FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I AM THE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS HAD SUCH A PROBLEM. THE METAL TRUNK LID COMES DOWN WITH FORCE STRIKING DIRECTLY ON THE TOP OF AN ADULTS HEAD. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT IT WOULD DO TO A NON-ADULT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A REPRESENTATIVE FOR MERCEDES WHO STATES TO HER KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO GET THE CAR IN AND ATTEMPT TO FIX IT, BUT CAN NOT GUARANTEE THEY CAN. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT HIT ME AND NEARLY KNOCKED ME OUT. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR IN I ASSUMED IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER, AFTER LAST NIGHT, IT CLEARLY IS NOT. THOUGH I CAN NOT MAKE IT PERFORM UPON COMMAND, I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. *JB
Occurrences: 3 Injuries: 2
Fail Date: 06/17/2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10046758
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Details: 2003 S5004MATIC BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER. AT 9000 MILES HAD REAR ROTORS WARPED BY PARKING BRAKE. AT 11000 MILES HAD FRONT ROTORS WARPED BY UNKNOWN REASONS. AT 11500 MILES SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE FIXED. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX IT ON 4 OCCASIONS. UNABLE TO DO SO. *LA
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10159237
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Details: ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE, BUT RATHER THAN GOING FORWARD, IT PROCEEDED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ON THE INCLINE ON WHICH IT WAS PARKED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT A CLIP IN THE GEAR BOX HAD BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 05/10/2006
Fail Date: 05/10/2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10116614
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
Details: ON MONDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CLK55 CONVERTIBLE TO MY OFFICE, GOING 55 MPH AND LOST ALL POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR GOING AGAIN, WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN DRIVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE BROKEN. THE TORQUE CONVERTER PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FROM GERMANY, AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD HAVE LED TO A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO YOU TO MAKE YOU FORMALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER INDIVIDUALS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF A $2 BILLION MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY, AND HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED IN OUR BUSINESS WITH AN OPERATING ROOM PRODUCT, OR ANY CRITICAL DEVICE, WE WOULD BE OBLIGED TO IMMEDIATE FULLY INVESTIGATE AND NOTIFY THE FDA IF A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. *AK
Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 04/04/2005
Fail Date: 04/04/2005
Ann writes:
We purchased a 2003 S55 mercedes less than three months ago. We are now being told that the new car must be started and run for 30 minutes every 24-48 hours or the battery will not hold a charge to start the car. This has been an absolute surprise to us as it was never mentioned during the purchase that the car would not start if left unmoved for a time. In the short time we have owned our new car we have had to jump-start the battery 5 times. Two of those times were after periods of 2 weeks and then 3 weeks of non-use. The other three times the car would not start after being left unmoved for 2 days-3days. A dealer in Tyler, Texas replaced the battery when we took our car to see about the problem. This replacement did no good. I did not drive the car today and will be gone tomorrow so will not be using the car. I will have to have it jump-started again the next day, I suppose. I would certainly appreciate some feedback from anyone concerning this new mercedes. Is this something to expect from a new $117,000. car?
We purchased a 2003 S55 mercedes less than three months ago. We are now being told that the new car must be started and run for 30 minutes every 24-48 hours or the battery will not hold a charge to start the car. This has been an absolute surprise to us as it was never mentioned during the purchase that the car would not start if left unmoved for a time. In the short time we have owned our new car we have had to jump-start the battery 5 times. Two of those times were after periods of 2 weeks and then 3 weeks of non-use. The other three times the car would not start after being left unmoved for 2 days-3days. A dealer in Tyler, Texas replaced the battery when we took our car to see about the problem. This replacement did no good. I did not drive the car today and will be gone tomorrow so will not be using the car. I will have to have it jump-started again the next day, I suppose. I would certainly appreciate some feedback from anyone concerning this new mercedes. Is this something to expect from a new $117,000. car?
Peter writes:
I purchased a 2003 S500 last April. In the six months I have owned the car it has been back to the dealer 7 times for repairs to power seats and support cylinder replacement on deck lid. You need to have your lawyer and very sharp eyes when you take delivery! Lumbar feature on extra cost multicontour seats deflates constantly. Dealer cannot find source of problem. Memory functions erratic, passenger head rest cycles up & down every time car is started with no passenger!! I believe that this car is too complicated with computer functions that are impossible to fix by dealers.
I purchased a 2003 S500 last April. In the six months I have owned the car it has been back to the dealer 7 times for repairs to power seats and support cylinder replacement on deck lid. You need to have your lawyer and very sharp eyes when you take delivery! Lumbar feature on extra cost multicontour seats deflates constantly. Dealer cannot find source of problem. Memory functions erratic, passenger head rest cycles up & down every time car is started with no passenger!! I believe that this car is too complicated with computer functions that are impossible to fix by dealers.
Jonathan writes: I purchased a new 2002 S430 in March 2002. I have had the air suspension replaced twice and it has gone out for the third time as of today. I have had to have the entire electronic dash replaced and the battery replaced twice. This car is optioned out and sold for 100k. This is by far the worst car I have ever owned.
Bill writes: I owned a new 2000 S500 and now a new 2003 S500 4 matic. With cars you have cheap junk and more expensive junk.I think this is my last Benz, I owned 2 previous to 2000 car.They get worse with every model year. Consumer reports with the best models and worst models came out today and big surprise,not,the S500 the worst,I should know since I filled out one of the surveys. Name something and I have replaced or fixed it several times.My problem is that I live 130 miles from the dealer here in the mountains of Colorado and also own a restaurant so that is two strikes against me to get the problems fixed. Buy a used Yugo and you should have better luck.
Audrey writes:
I purchased a new 2000 S500 sport from a dealer. I have had many Mercedes vehicles, all great autos. We also currently own a '99 ML430. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned! Immediately upon purchase the brakes had problems they replaced pads, etc. and both front control arms failed several times. Both front seat supports cracked several times as well. Mercedes put the wrong tires on the S500 Sport and the ride was terrible. After 20+ times in the shop the first 3 months, no loaner car available and after months in the shop with one dealer and again at a different dealer in FL, and after contacting MBUSA-Jax FL, they finally replaced the tires for new/appropriate sport tires(over 3 years passed),( we had put three different sets on the car out of our pocket before this). It has now 35K miles and is once again in the shop for another broken seat support, another electronic issue with my CD changer, Crank Shaft, Engine Noise, Transmission slip issues, gas gauge falling past empty with light(when full), ABS dash lights coming on repeatedly and many more problems. Now I have an extended warranty and it doesn't cover the estimated $1,200 this visit. I just paid another $2,400 for an additional warranty and SURPRISE it doesn't cover the needed repairs. I will NEVER purchase another Mercedes and guess what MB-USA doesn't give a rip! They refuse to send someone out to discuss the ongoing obvious manufacturer defects with this car. I think we should all seek a class action on these vehicles.
I purchased a new 2000 S500 sport from a dealer. I have had many Mercedes vehicles, all great autos. We also currently own a '99 ML430. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned! Immediately upon purchase the brakes had problems they replaced pads, etc. and both front control arms failed several times. Both front seat supports cracked several times as well. Mercedes put the wrong tires on the S500 Sport and the ride was terrible. After 20+ times in the shop the first 3 months, no loaner car available and after months in the shop with one dealer and again at a different dealer in FL, and after contacting MBUSA-Jax FL, they finally replaced the tires for new/appropriate sport tires(over 3 years passed),( we had put three different sets on the car out of our pocket before this). It has now 35K miles and is once again in the shop for another broken seat support, another electronic issue with my CD changer, Crank Shaft, Engine Noise, Transmission slip issues, gas gauge falling past empty with light(when full), ABS dash lights coming on repeatedly and many more problems. Now I have an extended warranty and it doesn't cover the estimated $1,200 this visit. I just paid another $2,400 for an additional warranty and SURPRISE it doesn't cover the needed repairs. I will NEVER purchase another Mercedes and guess what MB-USA doesn't give a rip! They refuse to send someone out to discuss the ongoing obvious manufacturer defects with this car. I think we should all seek a class action on these vehicles.
Kam writes:
2000 S500 with 18,000 miles. Thank god I bought the extended 3 year starmark warranty! This car is CRAP! Poorly designed and poorly built. I wished that I had read these sites before I bought this car. I have had all the same problems. One funny one I will tell you about. On or about the 3 oil leak, I got the car back from service. The engine had been leaking from below the oil fill cap. I have learned to look and test things out before leaving service. I popped the hood and saw that they had removed the oil fill cap and put 2 inches of gasket material to fix the problem. The car look like it had been repaired at a sidewalk gas station in Tijuana! No, let me take that back, a sidewalk gas station in Tijuana would have done a better job. What a joke, when I showed it to the service manager, he just rolled his eyes and offered to redo the job. Mercedes SUCK! This for sure is my last one. One last thing, when I was complaining to the service adviser about the car, is statement to me was,"When you buy a Mercedes, you are buying Luxury, NOT PERFECTION!"
2000 S500 with 18,000 miles. Thank god I bought the extended 3 year starmark warranty! This car is CRAP! Poorly designed and poorly built. I wished that I had read these sites before I bought this car. I have had all the same problems. One funny one I will tell you about. On or about the 3 oil leak, I got the car back from service. The engine had been leaking from below the oil fill cap. I have learned to look and test things out before leaving service. I popped the hood and saw that they had removed the oil fill cap and put 2 inches of gasket material to fix the problem. The car look like it had been repaired at a sidewalk gas station in Tijuana! No, let me take that back, a sidewalk gas station in Tijuana would have done a better job. What a joke, when I showed it to the service manager, he just rolled his eyes and offered to redo the job. Mercedes SUCK! This for sure is my last one. One last thing, when I was complaining to the service adviser about the car, is statement to me was,"When you buy a Mercedes, you are buying Luxury, NOT PERFECTION!"
David writes:
Purchased 2000 S430, and immediately began having problems. Power window inoperable, steering wheel lowering while driving, etc. after threatening to sue under lemon law and a meeting with MB reps where I was treated as if I were trying to rip them off, they finally agreed to replace it but I had to ante up an additional $5000. I agreed and they replaced it with a 2001.
Purchased 2000 S430, and immediately began having problems. Power window inoperable, steering wheel lowering while driving, etc. after threatening to sue under lemon law and a meeting with MB reps where I was treated as if I were trying to rip them off, they finally agreed to replace it but I had to ante up an additional $5000. I agreed and they replaced it with a 2001.
Everything was fine for the first 14000 miles. Then one day with my family in the car the brakes just went. Totally gone. Fortunately we were driving slowly in a residential area close to our home so was able to nurse it back with the emergency brake. The dealer sent a tow truck and off it went. Several days later I picked it up, they said the ABS control unit had failed and they had replaced it. On the way home I could feel the brakes getting spongy, it worsened until by the time I got home they were completely gone again. This time in was in the shop for about a week.
Now I have had many automobiles in my 40 years of driving experience but I have never had a total brake failure. To have two with the same car in such a short period gives me the genuine "willies". In fact the dealer agreed with me and said he would have the MB rep contact me. Well, he never did. When I wrote the customer service in NJ, they informed me it was a dealer problem.
I have written letters, threatened lawsuits, etc. to no avail. To this day the MB rep refuses to speak with me. For THE major safety feature of an automobile to fail twice is in my opinion unprecedented. My entire ownership experience, from January of 2000 till now has been one long battle between dealership and Mercedes. My only satisfaction to date is I have been able to convince three persons who were prepared to purchase a Mercedes not to do so.
Dave writes: 2000 S 500 mileage at purchase about 12,000 - purchased pre-owned on Mercedes StarMark program in January 2002. Within 30 days of purchase the suspension collapsed (which I understand is a frequent occurrence with this model year and model), and I had other problems. The dealer kindly bought the vehicle back (though I still had a financial loss). I got access to the car's history, it turns out it had had several warranty claims in the previous 2,000 miles prior to my purchase - which is presumably why the previous owner had sold it - I didn't think this vehicle should have been StarMarked!
George writes:
I have a 2003 SL55 and a 2004 S600. They both have had numerous problems with different items, and to the dealer's credit they have ironed out every one of them after 4 months of working on both cars. One problem that both cars have though and the dealer has never heard of this before, is that as I tried to get into traffic from an onramp, both cars jumped out of gear and went into neutral. One of those times was scary indeed as a truck almost hit me. The car seems to be running fine and the gear shift is in Drive but has no transmission power. If you take it out of Drive shut it down and start it back up it runs fine. Until next time? Both cars have done this once each. Has anyone had that happen before? The dealer has been good about fixing all the short comings of the Mercedes but as a long time owner of Mercedes (have had six cars in the past) I am sure that I will not buy them anymore.
I have a 2003 SL55 and a 2004 S600. They both have had numerous problems with different items, and to the dealer's credit they have ironed out every one of them after 4 months of working on both cars. One problem that both cars have though and the dealer has never heard of this before, is that as I tried to get into traffic from an onramp, both cars jumped out of gear and went into neutral. One of those times was scary indeed as a truck almost hit me. The car seems to be running fine and the gear shift is in Drive but has no transmission power. If you take it out of Drive shut it down and start it back up it runs fine. Until next time? Both cars have done this once each. Has anyone had that happen before? The dealer has been good about fixing all the short comings of the Mercedes but as a long time owner of Mercedes (have had six cars in the past) I am sure that I will not buy them anymore.
Sam writes:
My Ownership Experience is pure disappointment, discontent, displeasing, and disheartening. I have a 2000 S500. This car has rust on EVERY panel. Every door, fender, hood, trunk lid, and gas fill area. This rust began to show less than one year after delivery. MB has my car now for a month without a loaner and I do not have a date as to when my car may be ready. Very, very frustrating and disappointing.
My Ownership Experience is pure disappointment, discontent, displeasing, and disheartening. I have a 2000 S500. This car has rust on EVERY panel. Every door, fender, hood, trunk lid, and gas fill area. This rust began to show less than one year after delivery. MB has my car now for a month without a loaner and I do not have a date as to when my car may be ready. Very, very frustrating and disappointing.
Leonardo writes:
2003 S5004matic, has been in the shop 5 times navigational system ddi not work. The front and rear rotors have been replaced. the car shimmies over 40 MPH. Do not Buy this car. MB customer service does not respond and the service department at the dealership treats one like a martian rather than a customer who just purchased a 92,000 vehicle. Try Audi or BMW.
2003 S5004matic, has been in the shop 5 times navigational system ddi not work. The front and rear rotors have been replaced. the car shimmies over 40 MPH. Do not Buy this car. MB customer service does not respond and the service department at the dealership treats one like a martian rather than a customer who just purchased a 92,000 vehicle. Try Audi or BMW.
Jeffery writes:
2000 S500. For the past several months my center information display console has indicated, about 20% of the time that I drive the car, that a problem exists with the electronic stabilization system and the braking system. I have brought the car in several times for the problem and for the most part recevied "Can not duplicate the problem". On a couple of visits they were able to duplicate the problem and thought that a new sensor would fix the issue. After this repair the problems continued. Another visit resulted in removing and resetting the stearing wheel. The problem still showed about about 35% of the time (It has been increasing in frequency). For the past two weeks the problem has been occuring everytime I drive the car however the dealer has repeatedly informed me that the warning is a malfunction that they can not seem to trace however the breaks are fine and worst case is that ABS MAY not function if the warning is on. Is this accetpable? NO! Anyway back to the events; today I am driving the car in a parking lot, about 5 miles per hour and approaching the isle that I want to turn in to and park, I go to press the break and move the peddle about 1/2 inch, probably not enough for the breaklights to come on and certainly not enough for the breaks themselves to actually engage. Before I know it the break peddle is pulled away from my foot and to or near the floor, of course my foot follows. While you would expect that a drop like this would mean NO breaks this was not the case. My car stopped on a wooden nickle, I was tossed to the stearing wheel and the car behind me hit my car. Now I was not hurt and my bumper only has a very small scratch but what the hell? Where would I be if I was on the freeway and tried to slow the vehicle? I probably would not be typing this message.
2000 S500. For the past several months my center information display console has indicated, about 20% of the time that I drive the car, that a problem exists with the electronic stabilization system and the braking system. I have brought the car in several times for the problem and for the most part recevied "Can not duplicate the problem". On a couple of visits they were able to duplicate the problem and thought that a new sensor would fix the issue. After this repair the problems continued. Another visit resulted in removing and resetting the stearing wheel. The problem still showed about about 35% of the time (It has been increasing in frequency). For the past two weeks the problem has been occuring everytime I drive the car however the dealer has repeatedly informed me that the warning is a malfunction that they can not seem to trace however the breaks are fine and worst case is that ABS MAY not function if the warning is on. Is this accetpable? NO! Anyway back to the events; today I am driving the car in a parking lot, about 5 miles per hour and approaching the isle that I want to turn in to and park, I go to press the break and move the peddle about 1/2 inch, probably not enough for the breaklights to come on and certainly not enough for the breaks themselves to actually engage. Before I know it the break peddle is pulled away from my foot and to or near the floor, of course my foot follows. While you would expect that a drop like this would mean NO breaks this was not the case. My car stopped on a wooden nickle, I was tossed to the stearing wheel and the car behind me hit my car. Now I was not hurt and my bumper only has a very small scratch but what the hell? Where would I be if I was on the freeway and tried to slow the vehicle? I probably would not be typing this message.