Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system2
- Suspension2
- Visibility2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Structure2
- Power train1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Air bags1
- Interior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 2003 SL-Class vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class failed the safety check 0.74% of the time — 65% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 64,982 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class cars on Dutch roads are the 3.7 petrol (180 kW, 241 hp), 5.0 petrol (225 kW, 302 hp) and 5.4 petrol (368 kW, 493 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 petrol | 180 kW 241 hp | 167 |
| 5.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 109 |
| 5.4 petrol | 368 kW 493 hp | 100 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
403 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 78% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €150,409.
Most common APK defects
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm160
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde146
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect56
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld48
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen41
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont39
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af38
- Band onvoldoende profiel38
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,357 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,083 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
88 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 143,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
3 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
| 2008290 15 Aug 2008 | Other Certain vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) the sensors on the front struts may not operate within tolerances. As such, the sensor signal may not … |
| 2005094 4 Apr 2005 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) unit may contain a pump piston which is out of permissible tolerances. Also, vibrations within the ele… |
| 2004210 24 Jun 2004 | Brakes 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 … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10030964 | MERCEDES: THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT FOR MODELS 211, MODEL 219 AND MODELS 230 WAS EXTENDED FROM THE ORIGINAL 4 YEARS/50,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION. THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT EXTENDED LIMITED WARRANTY APPLIES TO ALL CONDITIONS THAT JUSTIFY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT UNDER THE STANDARD WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS. *PE |
| 10030941 | MERCEDES: CRACKING NOISE FROM THE AREA OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/FIREWALL WHEN CORNERING, DURING THROTTLE LIFT OFF AND ON UNEVEN ROADS. STRESS AT THE SPOT WELDS ON THE FIREWALL TO THE RIGHT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CAN RESULT IN CRACKING NOISES. NO RIGHT HAND DRIVE. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10030939 | MERCEDES: PARKTRONIC INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING. THE FUNCTION WORKS AGAIN AFTER A SHORT TIME OR DISTANCE. WHEN THE FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE PARKTRONIC SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. IF THE FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE IS ON AT THE FIRST NOTCH, THE CONTACT SWITCH MAY REACT WITH A CONSIDERATION DELAY WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10030929 | MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. INCLUDE ALL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *PE |
| 10019993 | A POTENTIAL MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD RENDER THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP RELAY INOPERABLE THEREBY AFFECTING THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP. *TT |
| 10019138 | PENETRATION OF WATER INTO THE VARIO (HARDTOP) ROOF. *TT |
| 10019128 | STEERING WHEEL TWITCH DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING MERCEDES BENZ 2006 MODEL 230. *TT |
| 10018832 | INSPECT SBC SUCTION HOSE, REPLACE IF NECESSARY, TO IMPROVE THE BRAKE BLEEDING PROCESS. *TT |
| 10016632 | THE ALTERNATOR REGULATOR MAY FAIL TO PREVENT VOLTAGE VALUES RANGING BEYOND THE SPECIFIED TOLERANCE LIMITS. *TT |
| 10015604 | THUMPING/RUMBLING NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL 230. MODEL YEAR 2003-2005. *TT |
| 10014573 | ACTIVATION OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM WITH DAS SOFTWARE 02/05. MERCEDES-BENZ MODELS 199, 211, 219, 230 MY 2003-2006. *TT |
| 10011739 | VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. *JB |
| 10008444 | SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) BLEEDING PROCEDURE. VARIOUS INCLUDING MY2005 M-BENZ E-CLASS AND SL-CLASS INCLUDED. *TT THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES PB42.46/46 DATED JUNE 24, 2004. ALL MODELS. *TT |
| 10000638 | ENGINE TICKING (PISTON SLAP) NOISE COMPLAINTS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 1200 AND 3000 RPM. MODELS E500, SL500, CLK500 MY2003. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation