2006 Mercedes Benz SL500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 13 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 38.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
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 | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Suspension: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2006: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10299007 · 2010-01-11 (January 11, 2010)
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(HOUSTON) [phone removed] DID THE REPAIR. I WAS ADVISED BY KEVIN GRAVES(MY SERVICE ADVISOR) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND ALL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER A EXTENDED RECALL WARRANTY. ON 1-7-2010 THE EXAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11082909 · 2018-04-09 (April 9, 2018)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11082909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11010119 · 2017-07-22 (July 22, 2017)
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 A RED LIGHT THEN, LIGHT CHANGES TO GREEN AND YOU PRESS ACCELERATOR TO GO BUT CAR WILL HARDLY GO. I WAS BUMPED IN THE REAR BUMPER ONCE, LUCKILY NOT CAUSING ANY DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.I'VE ALSO BEEN IN MANY…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11010119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502144 · 2013-03-08 (March 8, 2013)
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 NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,500. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502144 at NHTSA ↗