Mercedes Benz SL500 brakes problems
44 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.
Key facts
225 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 189 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Braking behavior evidence
44 of 225 complaints match this topic (19.6%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10242737 · 2008-09-17 (September 17, 2008)
I HAVE A 1995 SL500 MERCEDES BENZ AND THE WIRES GOING TO THE BRAKE SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE, IF I HAD NOT HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER THE HOLE CAR MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE ALSO I WAS NO GOING FAST WHEN THE FUMES STARTED CHOKING ME AND MY EYES BURNED. I COULD HAVE KILLED MY SELF OR SOMEONE ON THE ROAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522165 · 2013-06-27 (June 27, 2013)
WIRING INSULATION FOR LIGHTS AND POWER STEERING DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF CAUSING MASSIVE SHORTS IN MULTIPLE SYSTEMS, DRAINING THE BATTERY AND RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I MANEUVERED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ONTO AN OFF RAMP THAT PROVIDED A SAFE EXIT FROM THE 6 LANE BELTWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, HALF OF THE INSTRUMENTS (INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER), BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM ARE INOPERABLE DUE TO BARE WIRES SHORTING OUT THE WIRING HARNESSES. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS BEGINS WITH …
Owner-reported narrative. 137,452 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11691658 · 2025-10-06 (October 6, 2025)
The contact owns a 1999 N/A Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact purchased the rear brake rotors and pads from R1 Concepts, who sells auto parts on Amazon. When the contact installed the brake parts, the rotors could not be adjusted since the rotors were missing the opening that needed to be pre-drilled. The contact stated that when the rear brakes were adjusted, the defect was found. In addition, the contact stated that while parking the vehicle and setting the parking brake, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11691658 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗