2003 Mercedes Benz Sl Class problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer (1) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:heater Core (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Sl Class 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.
Parking Brake 2009-07-31 · SB-P-047527 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. the function works again after a short time or distance. when the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated. if the foot operated parking brake is on at the first notch, the contact switch may react with a co
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2009-07-06 · SB-P-047124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: cracking noise from the area of the instrument panel/firewall when cornering, during throttle lift off and on uneven roads. stress at the spot welds on the firewall to the right of the brake booster can result in cracking noises. no right hand drive. no model years listed.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2009-06-15 · TSB-42-10-109 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. once the corrosion protection is damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. include all models an
Traction Control System 2009-06-05 · SB-090930 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. the sbc hydraulic unit extended limited warranty applies to all conditions that justify the replacement of t
Electrical System 2006-05-01 · 2006030011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a potential malfunction which could render the secondary air injection pump relay inoperable thereby affecting the proper operation of the secondary air injection pump. *tt
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2006-04-01 · 2005070017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 14 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2013-11-20 · Service Brakes · 71,525 mi“my wife was driving about 1/2 mile from our house when the brakes completely failed. she was on a back road and had to brake for a stop sign. she was able to pull off on the side of the road, to avoid rear ending a car stopped at the stop sign, and finally bring the car to a stop. the brakes started to work with about 1" of pedal from the floor.…”
2008-04-24 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly · 43,300 mi“no incident. was driving and as i pulled into my driveway, heard bumping sound from car. asked mercedes what it was, they said loose baffle in gas tank. sounds like manufacturing defect. checked online and found many others with same problem. it is a costly repair just outside of warranty period. *tr…”
2005-11-15 · Suspension · 23,000 mi“ i purchased a 2003 mercedes benz sl500 in december of 2003. as of today 8 november 2005, the suspension apparently can not be repaired. the car has being taken back to the dealer for the eight (8th) time to repair the suspension. it is currently alexandria virginia, mercedes benz as of november 9th, 2005. while driving the vehicle home fro…”
2005-04-30 · Electrical System“i turned key and car did not start. i ended up getting stuck either at home or in a shopping center. car had to be put on a flat bed. dealer relpaced parts each time , but could not find the cause of the problem.…”
2005-03-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“2003 mercedes benz slk 320 experiencing problems with hesitation when the accelerator is depressed.*mr on one occasions when the consumer attempted to apply the gas the vehicle did not move for a few seconds and then all of a sudden the vehicle lurched forward and the consumer hit another vehicle. the there was also a rattle in the exhaust. *jb…”
2004-10-13 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer · 9,132 mi“the vehicle (2003 mb slk320) was purchased on 4/14/2004 in az and began noticing problems on the drive back to nm. the most significant safety problem involves the transmission, which has been serviced by the manufacturer 8 times without resolution. the vehicle slips in and out of gear at highway speeds. the vehicle has spent a total of over 68 day…”
2004-08-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 8,000 mi“hydraulic brake failure, totally unexpected. car is a marcedes benz sl500, 2003. only 8,500 k. on 6-24-04, mb issued a safety bulletin (nhtsa campaign id no. 04v296000)mb has not notified owners like me. i run a 4-way stop sign and a large pick-up truck was within 1 or 2 feet from hitting me on the drivers' side. iwas able to stop the car about 50…”
2003-09-10 · Structure:body:door · 14,000 mi“in the right door panel there is a glue that seals the panels together. this glue gives off toxic fumes. consumer's wife is currently seeing a neurologist for problems suffered from inhaling the fumes. the manufacturer and the dealer have been notified.*ak…”
2003-08-15 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:heater Core · 2,600 mi · 🔥 fire“the heater motor had blown out. the vehicle box caught on fire. *ak the fire melted the melted the wiring harness. *scc *jb …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.