2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class recalls

Most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class problems

Problem areas named in the 9 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Visibility	3
Structure	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Electrical System	2
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Suspension	2
Power Train	1
Exterior Lighting	1
Air Bags	1
Tires	1

What owners report

2013-11-20, Service Brakes
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. SHE SAID IT WAS SO HARD TO PUSH ON THE PEDAL THAT SHE COULD BARELY DO IT. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT HURT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR ROAD OR HIGHWAY THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. APPARENTLY THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR A NEW BRAKING SYSTEM REFERRED TO A "DRIVE BY WIRE". EURO MOTORCARS IN MD INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE MERCEDES HAD SO MUCH

2008-04-24, Fuel System, Gasoline
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
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 FROM A DINNER ENGAGEMENT, LATE OCTOBER 2005, ONE OF THE FRONT HYDRAULIC SHOCK DROPPED AND THE VEHICLE LITERALLY CHANGED LANES. FORTUNATELY, NO CARS WERE BESIDE ME AT THE TIME. I AM WRITING TO THE NHTSA TO GET THEIR ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH ITS UNPREDICTABLE LEVEL OF SAFETY. I AM APPALLED BY MERCEDES

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.

2005-04-07, Engine And Engine Cooling
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

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class questions

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: Electrical System; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Visibility (3), Structure (3), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.