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2003 Mercedes-Benz SL ClassProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints92 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage9kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 20, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class has problems

9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Structure20
Suspension20
Engine and engine cooling21
Electrical system20
Visibility21
Service brakes10
Tires10
Vehicle speed control11
6 other systems60

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 08V-303 · Jul 7, 2008 · 404 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V-133 · Apr 1, 2005 · 204,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 04V-296 · Jun 22, 2004 · 143,387 vehicles

Risk. 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,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other SL Class year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SL Class median. How we score

'96'97'98'02'03'04'05'06'09'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILUREPE07042 · closed Nov 20, 2007
    No recall
In owners' words

What SL Class owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE VEHICLE (2003 MB SLK320) WAS PURCHASED ON 4/14/2004 IN AZ AND BEGAN NOTICING PROBLEMS ON THE DRIVE BACK TO NM. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE MANUFACTURER 8 TIMES WITHOUT RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR AT HIGHWAY…
Complaint 10095713 · Oct 13, 2004 · 9,132 miles
HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE, TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. CAR IS A MARCEDES BENZ SL500, 2003. ONLY 8,500 K. ON 6-24-04, MB ISSUED A SAFETY BULLETIN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 04V296000)MB HAS NOT NOTIFIED OWNERS LIKE ME. I RUN A 4-WAY STOP SIGN AND A LARGE PICK-UP TRUCK WAS WITHIN 1 OR 2 FEET FROM HITTING ME ON THE…
Complaint 10086211 · Aug 5, 2004 · 8,000 miles

Own a 2003 SL Class?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.