2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
23
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
The 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS has received a total of 23 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulic (2 complaints), Suspension (2 complaints), and Air Bags (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS, potentially affecting up to 347,791 vehicles.
Recall 08V303000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 404 vehicles affected
Defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP...
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
View full details →Recall 05V133000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 204,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 04V296000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 143,387 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) IS DESIGNED TO MONITOR THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WITHIN THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IF AN UNACCEPTABLE PRESSURE GRADIENT IS DETECTED, THE SYSTEM WILL SWITCH, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, INTO THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
Consequence: IF VEHICLES ARE NOT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH MILEAGE COMBINED WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF BRAKE ACTUATIONS, OR A HIGH BRAKE ACTUATION FREQUENCY, THE PUMP MOTOR OF THE SBC MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES, THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT, REPLACING IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21M 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
23 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingbrake Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyroof And Pillars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityglass Siderear | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. SHE WAS ON A BACK ROAD AND HAD TO BRAKE FOR A STOP SIGN. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO AVOID REAR ENDING A CAR STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN, AND FINALLY BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE BRAKES STARTED TO WORK WITH ABOUT 1" OF PEDAL FROM THE FLOOR. SHE SAID IT WAS SO HARD TO PUSH ON THE PEDAL THAT SHE COULD BARELY DO IT. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT HURT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR ROAD OR HIGHWAY THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. APPARENTLY THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR A NEW BRAKING SYSTEM REFERRED TO A "DRIVE BY WIRE". EURO MOTORCARS IN MD INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE MERCEDES HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM THAT THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR 10 ADDITIONAL YEARS. THE NEW EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS BRAKE FAILURE ISSUE WAS FOR COMPLETE PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY, NOTIFIED ME OF ANY WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS BRAKING FAILURE ISSUE. I FIND THIS REPREHENSIBLE! MY WIFE COULD HAVE KILLED. WHY WAS SUCH A SERIOUS BRAKING ISSUE NOT MADE A RECALL INSTEAD OF "IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WARRANTY EXTENSION"? AT THE VERY LEAST MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL CARS WITH THIS POTENTIAL BRAKING FAILURE. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE SBC HYDRAULIC BRAKING UNIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO EURO MOTORCARS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER IF IT COULD BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THIS PAST FEBRUARY 2013. MERCEDES TOLD ME THE SAME THING. TOUGH LUCK! IN ADDITION TO HELPING RECOVER THIS EXPENSE OF $1593.81 PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. NO RECALL AND NO NOTIFICATION. SOMEONE COULD HAVE KILLED! *TR
NO INCIDENT. WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, HEARD BUMPING SOUND FROM CAR. ASKED MERCEDES WHAT IT WAS, THEY SAID LOOSE BAFFLE IN GAS TANK. SOUNDS LIKE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 IN DECEMBER OF 2003. AS OF TODAY 8 NOVEMBER 2005, THE SUSPENSION APPARENTLY CAN NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CAR HAS BEING TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE EIGHT (8TH) TIME TO REPAIR THE SUSPENSION. IT IS CURRENTLY ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA, MERCEDES BENZ AS OF NOVEMBER 9TH, 2005. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME FROM A DINNER ENGAGEMENT, LATE OCTOBER 2005, ONE OF THE FRONT HYDRAULIC SHOCK DROPPED AND THE VEHICLE LITERALLY CHANGED LANES. FORTUNATELY, NO CARS WERE BESIDE ME AT THE TIME. I AM WRITING TO THE NHTSA TO GET THEIR ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH ITS UNPREDICTABLE LEVEL OF SAFETY. I AM APPALLED BY MERCEDES BENZ LACK OF CONCERN TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE TO DETERMINE MY NEXT STEPS OR ANY ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO COMPEL THE MANUFACTURER TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. *JB
I TURNED KEY AND CAR DID NOT START. I ENDED UP GETTING STUCK EITHER AT HOME OR IN A SHOPPING CENTER. CAR HAD TO BE PUT ON A FLAT BED. DEALER RELPACED PARTS EACH TIME , BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
2003 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED.*MR ON ONE OCCASIONS WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE GAS THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE EXHAUST. *JB
Safety Rating for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
773028 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
PENETRATION OF WATER INTO THE VARIO (HARDTOP) ROOF. *TT
010105 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. *JB
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS
- 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — 20 complaints
- 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — 0 complaints
- 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — 1 complaint
- 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS (current)
- 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — 6 complaints
- 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — 3 complaints
- 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS — 0 complaints
Other MERCEDES BENZ Models
- MERCEDES BENZ C300 — 4,886 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ E350 — 2,649 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ E320 — 1,515 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ ML350 — 1,236 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ ML320 — 1,087 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ GLK350 — 1,031 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ C250 — 898 total complaints
- MERCEDES BENZ C230 — 879 total complaints