How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl Class have?

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl Class has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl Class has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl Class?

Of 23 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic.

2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl Class Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sl Class has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 347,791 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 08V303000 2008-07-07 404 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…

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 05V133000 2005-04-01 204,000 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 RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 04V296000 2004-06-22 143,387 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…

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.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SUSPENSION

AIR BAGS

BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Total complaints23

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2013-11-12

“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.…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · reported 2008-04-18

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2005-10-23

“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.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2005-04-30

“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.…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM · reported 2005-03-01

“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.…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2005-03-01

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2004-07-26

“The heater motor had blown out. The vehicle box caught on fire. *ak the fire melted the melted the wiring harness. *scc *jb”

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE · reported 2003-06-25