2005 Mercedes Benz Sl500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (5) · Power Train (3) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Sl500 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 (59)
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 59 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-02-20 · Power Train“this issue almost cause an accident on the freeway, transmission went from drive to neutral and then reverse. this is cause by the range sensor. conductor plate for transmission is very common for this type of vehicles. please investigate. this can cause a fatal injury or death. …”
2022-01-14 · Service Brakes · 22,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz sl500. the contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the brake warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that he lost control of the vehicle but did not provide further information. the contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the brake pedal was depressed …”
2020-03-25 · Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk · 90,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns 2005 mercedes benz sl500. the contact stated that the whole right side of the vehicle trunk caught on fire while the vehicle was parked. the contact stated that the fire started in the upper right front area of the trunk where they were wires and saw sparks. the contact stated that the fire went out on its own because there was…”
2019-10-10 · Power Train · 33,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz sl500. while driving 75 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode and the speed decreased to 35 mph. in addition, the abs and esp warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of palm beach (4000 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409, (561) 609-0902), but was not diagnosed or repair…”
2019-07-30 · Service Brakes · 48,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz sl500r. while driving 50 mph, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, but failed to stop the vehicle. the contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. the contact stated that several unknown warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of orland park (loca…”
2018-04-03 · Engine · 86,400 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owned a 2005 mercedes-benz sl500. after parking the vehicle, the contact heard a noise coming from the engine compartment and flames appeared. the fire department extinguished the fire. a police report was not filed. there were no injuries. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to a towing yard. the dealer was not contacted. the manuf…”
2018-03-09 · Service Brakes“2005 mercedes sl500. consumer writes in regards to vehicle brake system failure while driving. *smd the consumer stated without warning the sbc pump warning light appeared and the brakes failed. the sbc pump needed to replaced. the vehicle was repaired. *js…”
2017-04-28 · Power Train · 60,000 mi“while driving in traffic at approximately 40 mph the transmission disengaged (slipped) so much so that the rpm's shot up and the car no longer had power to the drive wheels. i needed to move over 2 lanes through traffic to pull over to the curb and get out of traffic. once i stopped the car at the side of the road the transmission engaged and the c…”
2016-09-12 · Suspension · 87,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz sl500. while driving 40 mph, "car too low stop driving" message appeared on the display panel. the contact coasted the vehicle into a fuel station, looked under the vehicle, and noticed that the frame was resting on top of the front driver and passenger wheels. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it w…”
2015-12-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 22,685 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz sl 500. the contact stated that while driving, fuel odors emitted from the vehicle. the contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, he noticed fuel had leaked into the rear seats of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank cap was leaking and the driver…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.