2006 Mercedes Benz Sl500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (4) · Service Brakes (3) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
🧭 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
2020-12-07 · Service Brakes · 68,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz sl500. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the abs warning light remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to astorg motor company located at 2908 7th st, parkersburg, wv 26102, who replaced the abs brake compressor. later while driving, the message stop pump brakes, was displayed on the …”
2020-02-12 · Suspension · 65,000 mi“the 2006 mb sl500's are prone to abc (active body control) failures. mercedes benz is aware of this issue, but they will not offer any assistance in repairing it. the cost to repair this system is approx. $4,000. if the vehicle is in motion, it is very possible that the driver may lose control of the car. the abc system affects both the air sus…”
2019-04-16 · Service Brakes · 125,000 mi“on 04/14/2019 while driving, red dash warning lights came on warning of lost braking and to stop. at the same time two separate warning sounds filled the cars cabin. i tried the brakes, no response, i down shifted, and stood both feet on brakes and finally shifted to neutral to come to complete stop. turned car off warning sign and warning sounds c…”
2018-04-09 · Service Brakes“2006 sl 500. consumer writes in regards to sbc warning cluster illuminated and brake failure. *ld the consumer stated the brakes failed while driving causing the vehicle to roll through an intersection. the consumer limped three blocks home. fault codes c25ds, c26de, c26bb, and c233d in the sbc system. *js…”
2017-07-22 · Power Train · 76,200 mi“722.9 7-speed transmission has known defect causing vehicle to lock up in gear when driving. locks into 3rd gear, can happen when you go to pass causing the vehicle to have no power when you try to kick into passing gear. on many occasions i've almost been hit because transmission fails to shift into passing gear. also will happen when coming up to…”
2015-10-29 · Visibility/Wiper · 85,000 mi“when the car is turned on, the srs light comes on, the rollbar light on, command center off/on/off/on, windshield wipers don't work, seat warmers/coolers inop, auto headlights inop.....all these problems are connected and intermittent. reading throught the mb forum and mbworld forum, many sl owners are experiencing the same thing and it all seems …”
2014-12-12 · Suspension · 29,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz sl500. while driving approximately 25 mph, a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle and the active body control warning light illuminated. the contact merged the vehicle over to the emergency lane. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the…”
2013-06-06 · Suspension · 43,000 mi“we bought a good car so the car can last with few issues but we have had lots of maintenance on this car and last one was the malfunction of the suspension and this cost us over $1800 to get fix. i believe this should be a recall item from mercedes benz as lots of people are having the same problem and this is a very expensive fix for the consumer.…”
2013-03-08 · Vehicle Speed Control · 33,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz sl500. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph with cruise control engaged, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was …”
2010-01-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 54,000 mi“i have a 2006 mercedes benz sl500. i have had numerous issues with the vehicle which were all covered under warranty. on 12-6-2009 i had a total brake failure. luckily i was in a stopped position and the car started moving forward. the brake pedal was full pressed to the floor and the emergency brake did not work. mercedes benz of greenway plaza…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.