Model year record
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 recalls & problems
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 45 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (24 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500.
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.
Fuel economy
SL500
| City / highway | 14 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SuspensionFront; Rear | 24 | 56,000 mi |
| Service brakes | 9 | 82,000 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly | 5 | 80,000 mi |
| Electrical system | 4 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 118,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 61,000 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 3 | 76,000 mi |
| Wheels | 3 | 19,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Brakes Reached Historic Threshold" was displayed, which indicated that the brake control unit had malfunctioned. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was spongy, causing the stopping distance to become extended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with brake control unit failure. The contact was informed that the brake control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that a 25-year warranty for the failure was previously…
- Service brakes
Question 1: The Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) unit, which is a high-pressure "brake-by-wire" hydraulic system. Component A7/3. The component is currently installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. Question 2: The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of hydraulic brake pressure while in operation. This failure required extreme physical force on the pedal and significant increase in stopping distance. The vehicle is currently in my garage with chocked wheels until I figure out what's next. A couple days ago, I had the car at a dealer and requested a review of this system and they released the car back to me stating the system status was, "OK" despite me stating to…
- Electrical systemFire
The 2003-2006 R230 series seem to have a problem with the BCM (Battery Control Module) as start an electrical fire in the trunk. Very common issue and a safety hazard - this is what happened with my car. Vehicle has dual battery, starter in front, convenience battery in trunk and fuses that operate at 130 Amps - the BCM capacitors and circuit board age and at some point can no longer handle the high current and catch fire.
- Fuel/propulsion system
On many 2003 and 2004 models. Broken fuel tank baffle inside fuel tank. This is well documented and could possibly cause explosion.
- Fuel/propulsion system
ON JULY 22, 2020 THE VEHICLE (2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 (R230)BEGAN MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN STOPPING AND TURNING. I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BROKEN BAFFLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT; THIS CANNOT BE CAUSED BY EXCESS WEAR ON THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THERE IS NOW A LARGE SECTION OF THE FUEL TANK FREELY SWINGING INSIDE, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SPARK AND SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS REPLACED AT A VERY LARGE COST.…
- Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS STATIONERY AND IN PARK, EITHER THE RIGHT SIDE OR THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RAISE UP THEN DESCEND TO GROUND OVER A THIRTY SECOND PERIOD INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HIS FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER :08V405000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE…
- Fuel/propulsion system
I EXPERIENCE A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WHEN ENTERING MY VEHICLE AND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ALSO WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEART A LOUD THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUNK AREA. SOUNDS TO ME AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS FLOATING INSIDE GAS TANK. THIS ODOR HAS SICKENED ME AND HAS SEVERELY UPSET MY STOMACH TO THE POINT THAT I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. THE THUMPING SOUND IS CREATED WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING OR COMING TO A STOP BUT HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. *TR
- Service brakes
THE VEHICLE HAS A BRACKET ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK THAT COMES DISENGADED AND CAUSES THIS DISTINCTIVE NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING SWINGING AND TAPPING AGAINST THE GAS TANK AND I HAS TO HAPPEN A LOT DUE TO EVERY SERVICE I HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO HAS TO BE SOMETHING WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES DUE TO ONLINE MERCEDES OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SOUND IS REALLY DISTURBING AND I WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER AS TO WHAT TO DO. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILUREClosed
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM, AN ALERT WILL FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING THE DRIVER TO EITHER DRIVE CAREFULLY OR TO STOP THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT CAN BE REDUCED BY AS MUCH AS 105 MM BELOW NORMAL RIDE HEIGHT BEFORE THE FULL LOAD OF THE VEHICLE FOR THAT WHEEL COMES TO REST ON A STEEL ROD, WITH A RUBBER STOP ON THE END, LOCATED IN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.THIS REST-STOP CONDITION IS DESIGNED SUCH THAT THERE IS NO IMPACT ON VEHICLE CONTROL.MERCEDES-BENZ (MBUSA) SUPPLIED VIDEO SHOWING A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION OPERATING UNDER SEVERAL DIFFERENT SITUATIONS INCLUDING EVASIVE MANEUVERS…