2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 problems
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Suspension is the most reported problem area, at 31% of complaints. After that come fuel system (19%) and brakes (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 108 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 32% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 90 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 32 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 20 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 20 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 90 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 64,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 63,000 miles (28 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns 2003 mercedes sl500. The contact stated that while attempting a left turn, the contact was struck in the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, she smelled smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that the abc and stop vehicle too low warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned that while driving, the front end of the vehicle started to scrape the ground. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and noticed that it was leaking fluid. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.
1. Events leading up to failure. Driver started noticing "sloshing" sound coming from gas tank area. Next day, a rattling noise starting coming from gas tank area each time the car would come to a stop. The noise was consistent with something floating around and hitting something mental inside. The sound comes from the gas tank area, consistent with a loose piece of metal floating in the gas tank. 2. Upon inspection, the baffle within the gas tank had broken off and was loose, floating in the gas tank.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl 500. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving over a water puddle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who replaced the oil pan, valve cover, and engine. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.