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2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500, most often about the suspension. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints4510 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage56kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 5, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 has problems

45 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
Suspension211
Service brakes92
Fuel system, gasoline50
Electrical system42
Fuel/propulsion system40
Wheels32
Power train30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Vehicle speed control20
5 other systems50

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

0 recalls

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other SL500 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 SL500 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'03'04'05'06'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500, and the recalls they led to.

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

What SL500 owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11331597 · Jun 29, 2020 · 92,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11208386 · May 18, 2019 · 60,000 miles
I SUBMITTED VIA FAX EARLIER THIS WEEK A FORMAL LETTER TO MR. EXLER THE PRESIDENT & CEO OF MBUSA AND, CC'D MR. KING OF THE NHTSA THAT INCLUDED INFORMATION ABOUT KNOWN CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUED THESE VEHICLES HAD PRIOR TO MBUSA IMPORTING THEM TO THE UNITED STATES. MBUSA FAILED TO DISCLOSE THESE KNOWN…
Complaint 11173505 · Feb 1, 2019 · 61,000 miles

Own a 2004 SL500?

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