2003 Mercedes Benz Sl500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (34) · Fuel/Propulsion System (8) · Fuel System, Gasoline (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Sl500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
67 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (48)
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
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 48 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-11-29 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“to who may this concerned, i have a 2003 mercedes sl500 and recently found my battery control module caught on fire and burnt a section of my car. i have tried reaching out to mercedes directly first and they said the car is 20 years ago and it could have not be a manufactured defect. please i need help this problem could’ve burn down my house or w…”
2023-11-27 · Electrical System“i am concerned with the battery control module. i have noticed there has been a lot of incidents out there where the battery control module in the sl 500s have caught fire! i am concerned for my safety due to this defect!…”
2023-08-22 · Suspension · 88,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz sl500. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the abc warning light illuminated. additionally, the message "drive carefully" was displayed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the abc tandem pump, struts, and hoses needed to be replaced. the dealer was noti…”
2022-09-28 · Suspension“abc (active body control) light keeps coming on and body goes up and down when i drove car. light says do not drive. mercedes would not take responsibility for this in spite there are so many complaints about this. really irresponsible by mercedes. …”
2022-07-20 · Suspension“i was driving my car at 45 mph and suddenly, unexpectedly a red light flashed abc do not drive. smoke was coming from under the car and the front end of the vehicle collapsed downwardly. i had to call for a tow truck to take my vehicle to the mb dealership. i'm i am waiting for the prognosis. i've had numerous issues with the all body control syste…”
2022-07-19 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 126,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz sl500. the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. the contact depressed the brake pedal firmly however, the vehicle failed to respond. the parking brake was activated however, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. the contact was…”
2022-03-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the 2003 sl500 with seemingly no instigating incident or event had the gas tank baffle come apart due to the poor and faulty design of this component. this baffle now is loose and floats on the gas in the gas tank, banging around when there is acceleration or deceleration, even turning sometimes causes it to bang around. speed bumps are another sou…”
2021-12-30 · Suspension · 52,500 mi“the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz sl500. the contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day he noticed that the front of the vehicle was lowered down. the contact stated that the car was too low a warning light was illuminated. the contact stated while starting the vehicle and taking his foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle w…”
2021-08-22 · Suspension“it has been nearly two years i have stopped driving my 2003 mercedes sl500, although i only have about 80,000 miles on the car. this is due to abc warning light(red display: please drive carefully)comes on intermittently and the car drives very bouncy and it feels the car has no shocks, definitely feeling it would be unsafe to drive. the diagnostic…”
2021-04-29 · Steering · 95,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl500. the contact stated while driving 45 mph, the active body control (abc) warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the contact parked the vehicle on the side of the road. the vehicle was not drivable. the vehicle was towed to an unknown mercedes-benz dealer to be diagno…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.