2003 Mercedes Benz SL500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
62,859 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 67 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 80 complaints (42.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 21.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 16 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 34 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
Suspension: 34; Electrical System: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Service Brakes: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Steering: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 7; 2011: 7; 2012: 5; 2013: 7; 2014: 12; 2015: 10; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10204788 · 2007-10-03 (October 3, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKES FINALLY BEGAN TO OPERATE, THE ABS, COOLANT, AND ESP LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,889.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,889 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353754 · 2010-09-03 (September 3, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, IT ABNORMALLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. THERE WAS FIVE PERCENT BRAKING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL PUMP. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON ISSUE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226101 · 2008-04-30 (April 30, 2008)
2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 - BAFFLE BREAKS FREE WITHIN GAS TANK SEEMINGLY CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. MERCEDES DOES NOT REPLACE THE TANK FOR FREE IN ALL CASES. GAS TANK NEEDED REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240914 · 2008-09-04 (September 4, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BAFFLES IN THE GAS TANK FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE RATTLING IN THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. HE BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533469 · 2013-08-04 (August 4, 2013)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR COMPLAINT FILED 8/3/2013. RECALL INFORMATION DETERMINED FROM: HTTP://WWW.INTELLICHOICE.COM/1-12-2003-9821-20/2003-MERCEDES-BENZ-SL500-ROADSTER-2DR-CONVERTIBLE-RECALLS.HTML. RECALL 03 - ID # 08V405000 - SUSPENSION MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008080004 NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET AS WELL AS NTHSA WEB SITE WITH SEARCH KEYWORDS "ABC", "ACTIVE BODY CONTROL", "SUSPENSION" TO INCLUDE: DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: AUG 14, 2007 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: NOV 20, 2007 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE07042 COMPO…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561822 · 2014-01-28 (January 28, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS UP RED SAYING "SERVICE BRAKES, STOP VEHICLE, ETC". MY MECHANIC LOOKED OVER EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES AND COULD NOT FIX IT. HE CALLED MERCEDES OF TALLAHASSEE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT DID HAVE A RECALL ON IT, BUT IT EXPIRED IN JULY LAST YEAR, JUST MY LUCK. SO I GOOGLED IT AND HAVE NOW FOUND TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE! HOW CAN THE VEHICLE SAFETY ADMINISTRATION LEGALLY ALLOW MERCEDES BENZ TO CONTIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392937 · 2011-03-26 (March 26, 2011)
VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING MINOR LEAK OF PINK COLOR FLUID THAT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP IDENTIFIED AS HYDRAULIC FLUID FOR ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM. FROM A VISUAL INSPECTION, THE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM ABC TANDEM PUMP. THE LEAK GOT WORSE BY THE WEEK AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY PARKED AFTER A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FLUID WAS BUILDING UP ON THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER A WEEK, THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE BOTTOMED OUT AND LITERALLY SUNK OVER THE FRONT LEFT AND REAR LEFT TIRES. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP (WALNUT CRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453121 · 2012-03-26 (March 26, 2012)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE IDLER PULLEY SIMPLY FELL OFF THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY, THE BELT CAME OFF TOO. THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL SINCE THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. ADDITIONALLY, BREAKING EFFORT INCREASED, STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, AND A FEW OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS BECAME INOPERABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456885 · 2022-03-15 (March 15, 2022)
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 source of loud banging from the baffle bumping into the sides of the tank. The issue with 2003 SL500's is ubiquitous, it is not a question of what percentage of them will experience as it appears it will…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616776 · 2014-07-28 (July 28, 2014)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616776 at NHTSA ↗