Model year record

2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class recalls & problems

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (1 complaint).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 1, 2005

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V133000204,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
Risk: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET AND REPLACEMENT GROUND WIRE TO THE SBC PUMP UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONALLY DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SBC PUMP UNIT IN SL VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class C-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	1	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES SL600. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUBPTLY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS FACE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $14,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,581 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,592. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN
Jun 11, 2008 · 34,581 miles
Suspension › Front
2005 MERCEDEZ BENZ C230 SPORT TYPE HAS A LOW FRONT END. IN FLORIDA WHEN YOU PARK IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS AGAINST A CONCRETE TIRE STOP. YOU ARE GOING OUT FOR THE EVENING WITH ANOTHER COUPLE YOU DROP OFF THE 3 PEOPLE AT THE DOOR AND PARK AGAINST THE CONCRETE PIECE STOP. AFTER YOU LEAVE AND ALL FOUR PEOPLE GET INTO THE CAR THE WEIGHT OF FOUR PEOPLE WILL LOWER THE CAR SO THE FRONT END DRAGS OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND YOU BACK UP AND SHEAR OFF THE FRONT END. CAUSING DAMAGE IN THE TUNE OF $$$$ *JB
Jan 28, 2006 · 19,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.