2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other SL Class years
- Not enough data 2nd of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class. That ranks 2nd out of 11 SL Class model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 22%), typically at around 9,132 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 9owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 22% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 22% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 22% | 8,566 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 22% | 11,566 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 22% | 16,066 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 22% | 5,866 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 11% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 11% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 11% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 11% | 43,300 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 11% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 11% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 11% | 71,525 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 11% | 9,132 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 11% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system
Problem: 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.
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 fuel delivery as designed.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: 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.
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 pedal travel will be noticeably longer.
Fix: 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 recall began on august 8, 2005. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: 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.
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, the pump motor of the sbc may run out of permissible tolerances, thereby triggering the hydraulic function mode.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Air suspension system failure (PE07042) — opened Aug 14, 2007, closed Nov 20, 2007.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Other Mercedes Benz SL Class years
← 2002 SL Class · 2004 SL Class →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 SL Class | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 SL Class | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 SL Class | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 SL Class | 2 | 1 |
| 2004 SL Class | 3 | 3 |
| 2003 | 9 | 3 |
| 2002 SL Class | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 SL Class | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 SL Class | 12 | 0 |
| 1997 SL Class | 2 | 1 |
| 1996 SL Class | 2 | 2 |
See all Mercedes Benz SL Class problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine and engine cooling, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL Class a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other SL Class model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.