Model year record
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500R recalls & problems
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500R has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500R.
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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 2 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Service brakes | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED…
- Steering
I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN LEFT TURN LANE. AT A VERY SLOW SPEED OF LESS THAN 5 MPH. SUDDENLY MY 2003 MERCEDES BENS SL500 STEERING BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE FROM WHEELS. I HAD ZERO DIRECTIONAL AND TURN CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE CAR CROSSED THE MEDIAN YELLOW LINES. AT THIS MOMENT NO CARS WERE PASSING BY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ONE TO CRASH INTO. ALSO LUCKY THE STEERING MECHANISM BROKE AT BELOW 5 MPH INSTEAD OF FWY SPEED. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD FREELY SPIN 10+ TURN IN EACH DIRECTION, WHILE FRONT WHEELS DIRECTION WAS COMPLETELY UNCHANGED. *TR
- Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500R. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD METAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT SENSOR FAILING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE END TO LIE ON TOP OF THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V405000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.