2004 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 Recalls
No NHTSA recalls on record for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sl500. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Complaints by component
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Question 1: the sensotronic brake control (sbc) unit, which is a high-pressure "brake-by-wire" hydraulic system. Component a7/3. The component is currently installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. Question 2: the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of hydraulic brake…”
“On many 2003 and 2004 models. Broken fuel tank baffle inside fuel tank. This is well documented and could possibly cause explosion.”
“The 2003-2006 r230 series seem to have a problem with the bcm (battery control module) as start an electrical fire in the trunk. Very common issue and a safety hazard - this is what happened with my car. Vehicle has dual battery, starter in front, convenience battery in trunk and fuses that…”
“On july 22, 2020 the vehicle (2004 mercedes-benz sl500 (r230)began making a loud banging noise in the rear when stopping and turning. I delivered the vehicle to a local shop where the vehicle was diagnosed as having a broken baffle in the fuel tank. The only solution is to replace the entire fuel…”
“I experience a strong odor of fuel when entering my vehicle and when driving the vehicle, also when driving the vehicle I heart a loud thumping sound coming from the trunk area. Sounds to me as though something is floating inside gas tank. This odor has sickened me and has severely upset my…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
THE SUBJECT S-CLASS VEHICLES CONTAIN A COMPRESSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT USES AIR STRUTS ON EACH OF THE FOUR WHEELS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.THESE AIR STRUTS USE COMPRESSED AIR TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTROL RIDE HEIGHT.IN THE EVENT OF THE LOSS OF AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.