2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Complaint Log

I am concerned with the battery control module. I have noticed there has been a lot of incidents out there where the battery control module in the SL 500s have caught fire! I am concerned for my safety due to this defect!

To who may this concerned, I have a 2003 Mercedes SL500 and recently found my battery control module caught on fire and burnt a section of my car. I have tried reaching out to Mercedes directly first and they said the car is 20 years ago and it could have not be a manufactured defect. Please I need help this problem could’ve burn down my house or while I was driving. Mercedes requested I send them a letter in writing if I have to get the car inspected. Please setup and date so I can write them this is 100% liability on their brand as there is no schedule maintenance for a battery control module.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the message "Drive Carefully" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABC tandem pump, struts, and hoses needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not provide service for older vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

It appears the BCM (Battery Control Module) caught fire and burned a significant portion of the trunk and associated wiring.

My car (the SL55 and all SL models) has a "Battery Control Module" (BCM) also referred to as the "Battery Stabilization Control Load Module" which shows signs of imminent failure which will lead to a meltdown or fire. I inspected the module after finding that this was a common problem with these cars online. This model of car has been documented to completely catch on fire, even when parked after driving. I have pictures of the burnt board inside my BCM. I am very concerned as it could literally burn my house down. The typical warning for this issue is a red colored warning on the dash LCD display, however I didn't have that warning as my unit is apparently still functioning even though it's compromised.

The battery control module (known as the BCM or BNS) failed, triggering a fire. The incident occurred while the vehicle was parked in a garage and had not been operated for several weeks. The fire consumed the module, insulation on wiring connected to and close to the module, part of the trunk lining material, and burned through a total of five hydraulic lines (retractable roof hydraulics). It appears that the trunk seal limited air to the point that the fire was self extinguished. This is the only thing that saved the attached garage and house. The vehicle valued at $30,000 was determined to be a total loss due to the extensive repairs required to restore it to an operating condition. I have since joined a Facebook group "Mercedes BNS/BCM Fires" that has nearly 1000 members and found that this is a common issue with the Mercedes R230 model and fires have occurred dozens if not hundreds of times. We have determined that the module has undergone numerous changes, but there is no confirmation that any are safe. Mercedes refuses to provide guidance or solutions to this issue and apparently has no regard for the safety of current owners. I have retained the failed module, wiring, hydraulic lines, and burned portion of the trunk lining. It is available for inspection or analysis. I am a mechanical engineer with over 35 years experience in the automotive and industrial areas.

I was driving my car at 45 mph and suddenly, unexpectedly a red light flashed ABC do not drive. Smoke was coming from under the car and the front end of the vehicle collapsed downwardly. I had to call for a tow truck to take my vehicle to the MB dealership. I'm I am waiting for the prognosis. I've had numerous issues with the All Body Control system. Expensive repairs in the $3000-$8000 range. This is a safety issue the breakdown happens abruptly and I was fortunate other cars weren't on the parkway with me. Otherwise a crash could gave occurred.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact depressed the brake pedal firmly however, the vehicle failed to respond. The parking brake was activated however, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. The contact was however able to pull over and eventually the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V133000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 126,000. The consumer stated the part put on the vehicle for the recall was a defective part and not installed correctly.

The 2003 SL500 with seemingly no instigating incident or event had the gas tank baffle come apart due to the poor and faulty design of this component. This baffle now is loose and floats on the gas in the gas tank, banging around when there is acceleration or deceleration, even turning sometimes causes it to bang around. Speed bumps are another source of loud banging from the baffle bumping into the sides of the tank. The issue with 2003 SL500's is ubiquitous, it is not a question of what percentage of them will experience as it appears it will happen to this vehicle at some point due to the poor design and implementation of the baffle. This wouldn't be such a big problem if this was a minor repair and was a reasonable price to have a shop perform or for the more mechanically inclined owner to perform themselves, but it is a ridiculously complex and time-consuming job just to get to the gas tank and take it off. My mechanic told me it is akin to taking the transmission or engine out and as such labor is outstandingly and outrageously expensive with this job requiring approximately $2000-$2500 to perform according to my mechanic and other SL500 owners who have also had to deal with this issue. This is an issue that you may not experience if you don't own one of these vehicles for long enough, but the vehicle will have this problem during it's lifetime and Mercedes should be responsible for allowing such a design to make it into production.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day he noticed that the front of the vehicle was lowered down. The contact stated that the car was too low a warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and taking his foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle would raise up independently and would be able to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front strap suspension to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,500.

It has been nearly two years I have stopped driving my 2003 Mercedes SL500, although I only have about 80,000 miles on the car. This is due to ABC warning light(red display: please drive carefully)comes on intermittently and the car drives very bouncy and it feels the car has no shocks, definitely feeling it would be unsafe to drive. The diagnostic message comes up saying "visit workshop". This is the third time this ABC pump issue is stopping me from driving the car, since it first appeared when I had 29,000 miles on the car which was under manufacturer warranty (50,000 miles or four years) and the dealership replaced the ABC pump and also replaced the engine mounts. The ABC red light appeared again when I had about 51,000 miles on the car. It happened also the engine mounts were in need of replacement again. As the Warranty was only for 50,000 miles, Mercedes refused to repair the ABC pump and the engine mounts under warranty and finally I agreed to a 50% cost to me to have repairs done. I expressed my opinion that the ABC pump and the engine mounts had engineering and manufacturing defect and they should have 50,000 miles warranty as the original warranty, from the time of replacement. Regrettably, same ABC malfunction and engine mounts became an issue at 78,000 miles and now the dealer and Mercedes refuse to replace the ABC pump and engine mounts under warranty and have given an estimate of $7336.36 for the necessary replacement of parts, including labor, but excluding taxes. To divert attention from ABC pump, the dealer is now referring to the problem as "power Steering pump"I have extensively researched the issues and it appears the mentioned problems with my car are prevailing issues with other Mercedes 2003 SL 500, and there are 100's of owners who feel Mercedes is not taking responsibility for replacement and repair of these defective parts under warranty. My car is unsafe to drive. There should be a recall by Mercedes to fix these dangerous to drive cars.

HEARING CLANGING, THUMP NOISE BETWEEN SEATS AND TRUCK, TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS ADVISED IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL - PROBLEM WITH BAFFLE IN THE TANK AND MIGHT HAVE COME OFF, SEARCHED ON-LINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, WAS THIS EVER ADDRESSED BY MB AND RECALLED?

MY CAR IS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE ABC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE CARS SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO RAISE AND FALL. MANY TIMES ONE SIDE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER AND NOT EVENLY. IN 2013 I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND ENDED UP COSTING ROUGHLY $3200. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS AN UNSAFE MECHANICAL ISSUE. AFTER REVIEWING YOU SITE FOR RECALLS ON MB 2003 SL500, IT APPEARS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY MODEL YEAR AND CAR. AFTER SPEAKING TO MB OF SARASOTA AND MBUSA IT WAS VIN# SPECIFIC AND MY VIN WASNT INCLUDED. I AM VERY CONFUSED HOW THIS DOESNT COVER MY VEHICLE. NHTSA CAAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V405000. OBVIOUSLY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE VIN SPECIFIC AS MY CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SECOND TIME AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT. IT IS A DANGEROUS MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT MB SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

THE ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SUSPENSION TO LOWER AND VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE FRONT END IS SPONGY AND DIPS UP AND DOWN. RED WARNING DO NOT DRIVE ILLUMINATES. VERY UNSAFE.

SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WILL NOT COME ON AND NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK ! THEN I TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND IT WORKS! ALSO WHEN I'M DRIVING AND HIT A LITTLE BUMP ON THE FREEWAY AND ROAD THE DASH LIGHTS TURN RED AND SAYS DRIVE CAREFULLY THEN 2 SECONDS LATER GOES BACK TO NORMAL!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ABS PROBLEM MY CAR WONT GO UP OR DOWN IT IS IN THE DOWN POSITION ABS LIGHT IS ON DON T NO WHAT PROBLEM IS I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING MY MERCEDES BENZ 2003 SL500 THE BRAKES BECAME DISABLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST MERCEDES DEALER I PHONED TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN SAFETY RECALLS FOR THE BRAKES. THE SECOND MERCEDES DEALER THAT I CONTACTED INFORMED ME ABOUT 2 RECALLS IN 2004 AND 2005. I PHONED THE MERCEDES BENZ USA HEADQUARTERS AND SPOKE TO A CASE MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT MERCEDES' RESPONSIBILITY WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE EXPIRED IN 2012. HOW CAN A SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS HAVING NO BRAKES WHILE DRIVING EXPIRE? HOW CAN A CORPORATION BE ALLOWED TO WALK AWAY FROM THIS TYPE OF POTENTIALLY DEADLY SAFETY ISSUE? THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR.

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED EVEN IF THE AUTOMOBILE IS OLDER

ABC (Active Body Control) light keeps coming on and body goes up and down when I drove car. Light says do not drive. Mercedes would not take responsibility for this in spite there are so many complaints about this. Really irresponsible by Mercedes.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN TOWN ON CITY STREETS THE SBS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AS I CAME TO A TURN LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE RESPONSE EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER SAYS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO COAST AND STOP THE CAR ONLY WITH THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE. THE SBS SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE BY THE FACTORY BUT THERE IS STILL SOMETHING VERY WRONG WHEN A MODERN CAR HAD NO BACK-UP SYSTEM. THESE CARS ARE DANGEROUS! LUCKILY FOR ME THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT IS BEING REPAIRED.

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500 AND REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC PUMP IN 2014 FOR $6400.00. THE CAR WOULD DROP LOW (ON ONE SIDE IF PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS). TODAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 - THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING, I HEARD A LOUD BURSTING SOUND AND THEN HYDRAULIC FLUID BEGAN SEEPING OUT ALSO, THE ABC RED DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE CAR IS "TOO LOW TO DRIVE". I MANAGED TO SLOWLY DRIVE HOME (WITHOUT POWER STEERING). THIS IS A HUGE DEFECT IN MERCEDES BENZ TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING - A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. ALSO, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT SPEND THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON DEFECTIVE PARTS. BY THE WAY, THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR SUPPORT FROM THE NHTSA AS I PURSUE VIABLE RECOURSE OPTIONS. THANK YOU! *TR

I WAS DRIVING AN 03 SL500 AND FROM THE START THE BATTERY LIGHT (WHITE STAYED ON) REPLACED BOTH FRONT AND BACK BATTERY AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR, NOW THE RED BATTERY LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. ON LAST NIGHT, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A POP, CAR DROPPED AND WARNING CAME ON SAYING CAR WAS TOO LOW AND FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOOK LIKE BY THE FRONT WHEEL. MECHANIC DID A LOT OF GUESSING AND STILL NOT FIXED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS IT LOWERED TO THE GROUND. A "TOO LOW TO DRIVE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCUMULATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

HERE A BANGING NOISE BEHIND THE SEAT, TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR SHOP. THEY INFORMED ME THE FUEL TANK BAFFLE IS BROKEN FREE. HE SAID IT IS VERY COMMON ON THIS MODEL. BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. IT WOULD CONT ME OVER 2,500.00 TO REPAIR. DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AT MBWORLD FORUM. THIS HAPPEN ON ALMOST EVERY CAR LIKE THIS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS. AND I AM WORRIED THIS MIGHT BLOW UP OR SOMETHING, SINCE SOMETHING BANGING AROUND THE THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK CAN NOT BE SAFE, THIS CAR RUNS ON PREMIUM GASOLINE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN LOUDER WHEN THE TANK IS FROM 3/4 FULL TO 1/2. IF I LET IT RUN TO LOW THE FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON EMPTY UNTIL I GO OVER A BIG BUMP. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ON A CAR THAT COST ABOUT 100,000.00 NEW. BUT MORE IMPORTANT, I DO NOT FEEL THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER STATED IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, JUST AN ANNOYANCE???

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABC AND STOP VEHICLE TOO LOW WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SCRAPE THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION). THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOWED FAILURE SIGNS OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,998.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED AND LEAKED FLUIDS AS THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN THE WHOLE FRONT LEFT SIDE DROPS TO WITHIN INCHES OFF THE GROUND!! MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THIS LEMON FEATURE ON THERE VEHICLE AND IS SOME HOW STILL ALLOWED TO SELL THEM IN THE US, MUCH LESS NOT DO A [XXX]THING ABOUT THE LEMONS THEY HAVE SOLD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THIS CAR HAS HAD ABC PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE. FIRST WE HAD HYDRAULIC LEAKS, WE REPLACED STRUTS, THEN THE PUMP WENT OUT AND HAD TO REPLACE THAT. NOW THE CAR LOWERS ON IT'S OWN WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. IF I PARK THE CAR IT LOWERS AND WHEN I REVERSE THE LOW FRONT END WILL GET TRAPPED AND DRAG, NOW THE FRONT BUMPER IS RUINED...THIS WILL BE MY LAST MERCEDES.THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS TERRIBLE SYSTEM,.I NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH MY LEXUS..IJS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BAFFLE IN THE FUEL TAKE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,408.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OTHER UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES SL500 WITH 52000 MILES ON IT AND SUDDENLY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME UP AND THE INVESTIGATION LINKED IT TO THE SBC HYDRAULIC RECALL (2005070007). MERCEDES HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON SBS UNIT FOR 10 YEARS AND MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THE SBC ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE CAR HAD OVER 51000 MILES. I REACHED OUT TO MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH I DID AND THE DEALER'S REPORT CLEARLY STATES THAT THEY COULD NOT CONNECT TO THE SBC PUMP AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER CARE CALLED ME BACK STATING THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE ENTIRE SBC PUMP AND ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS ONLY ON THE INSTALLATION OF BRACKET, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ANOTHER RECALL ON THE SBC UNIT (2005110001). THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ADEQUATELY STOP DUE TO THIS FAILURE AND THE REPAIR COST TO REPLACE THE SBC UNIT AS STATED BY THE DEALER IS $1939.75. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY RECALL THAT IS A CONCERN AND SO WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NHSTA TO ADVISE.

PLASTIC PIECE ON GEARSHIFT ASSEMBLY BROKE NOT ALLOWING CAR TO BE PLACED IN GEAR. IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH 1000'S OF THESE CARS BASED ON INTERNET SEARCH. CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THEY CHARGE $1300.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED TO SAVE MONEY ON THIS PART BEING REPLACED TO TAKE A MALLET AND FINISH BREAKING PIECE THEREBY RENDERING CHILD SAFETY FEATURE USELESS. APPARENTLY LOOKING AT THE INTERNET THIS IS WHAT 1000'S OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DONE. HOW MERCEDES THINKS THIS IS A NOT A SAFETY CONCERN IS BEYOND ME. IT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO ALL CHILDREN AS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PUT CAR INTO GEAR WITH NO SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. I CAN SEE MANY CHILDREN EVENTUALLY PUTTING THESE CARS IN GEAR AND GETTING HURT.

ABC FAILURE AT 70 MILES. RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR OF THIS PRECISE.

SUSPENSION DROPS OVERNIGHT AND HAS DROPPED WHILE IN MOTION ON THE EXPRESSWAY. RED WARNING TO LIMIT SPEED CONSTANTLY COMES ON ESPECIALLY IF LOW ON FLUID AND ON BUMPS. THE DEALER CANNOT ISOLATE THE CAUSE OF PRESSURE OR EXCESSIVE HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS. FRONT BUMPER DAMAGED AS A RESULT. OVER $8000.00 SPENT AND PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR UNLESS THE SUPPLY OF FLUID IS CARRIED IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. DEALER WANTED $16,000.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND POSSIBLY REPAIR BUT OFFERED NO WARRANTY FOR WORK.

ABC SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR

DRIVING ALONG ON 2/14/2015, I HEAR A BANGING COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I NOTICE IT ONLY DOES IT WHEN I AM EXCELLING OR BRAKING. I THOUGHT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK, LIKE A LIQUID WITH SOMETHING FLOATING IN IT, BANGING UP AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE CONTAINER. AFTER I PARKED, I CHECKED OUT THE BOX THAT I HAVE PUT IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING THERE THAT WOULD MAKE THIS NOISE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I SEE THAT THERE MANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE BAFFLE THAT IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK THAT COMES LOSE AND BANGS THE SIDES OF THE GAS TANK. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP ON TUESDAY AND SEE ABOUT REPAIRS AND HAVING MB PAY FOR IT. *TR

ABC AND CONVERTIBLE ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AS ITS SUPPOSED, WHILE THE CAR NOT BENN DRING NOR USING THE FEATURES. THE KEYLESS REMOTE KEY ENTRY IS NOT WORKING!

I BOUGHT IN FRANCE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT DOCUMENTS ABOUT LIFE CAR (ACCIDENTS, REPAIRS ETC) SO I NEED ALL INFORMATIONS ON MY USED CAR. *TR

STARTED CAR AND GOT MESSAGE: "ABC MALFUNCTION, CAR TOO LOW". IN ACTUALITY, CAR ELEVATED. THE RIDE OF THE CAR HAS CHANGED. IT HAS A SOFT AND FLOATY FEELING COMPARED TO ITS NORMAL STIFFER RIDE. I HAVE SEEN THE ABOVE COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET MULTIPLE TIMES. IT SEEMS THIS IS A WIDE PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY RECALLS FROM MERCEDES. *TR

THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC OF THIS POWER STEERING / HYDRAULIC TANDEM PUMP AND POSSIBLY OTHER MODELS AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES MALFUNCTIONS AND STARTS TO LEAK AND SPREAD UP TO THREE QUARTS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID ON THE ENGINE THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE POTENTIAL, SLIPPING OF BELTS, LOSS OF STEERING / SUSPENSION ON HYDRAULIC BALANCED CARS, AND THEN DRIP TOXIC FLUIDS ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING OTHER POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

BAFFLE IN FUEL TANK STARTED HITTING THE SIDE OF THE TANK MAKE A NOISE WHEN FUEL TANK IS 3/4 FULL OR LESS. APPARENTLY THE BAFFLE BREAKS AT ONE END ALLOWING THE BAFFLE TO BANG AGAINST THE WALL OF THE FUEL CELL. *TR

2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE FATAL FLAW IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED, AS HE WAS BACKING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THEY FAILED. A RED LIGHT AND A SIGN INSTRUCTED HIM TO OBTAIN IMMEDIATE SERVICE. THE MECHANIC, KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. AT THE MECHANIC'S SUGGESTED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS THERE FOR A FEW DAYS, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY HAD DIED. IT WAS A SECONDARY BATTERY WHICH SUPPLIED POWER TO EVERYTHING THAT CONSUMED ELECTRICITY, INCLUDING THE BRAKES IN HIS MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE. SO, IF IT FAILED, SO WOULD THE BRAKES. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 20-35MPH I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. DASHBOARD INDICATES RED WARNING "STOP" BRAKE DEFECTIVE, STOP VEHICLE WITH YELLOW ABS WARNING LIGHT. AFTER I PULLED OVER, PARKED THE CAR AND SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE... WARNING LIGHTS, RED EMERGENCY "BRAKE" ILLUMINATED. AS WELL AS, REDUCED BRAKE EFFECT, START ENGINE AND FOLLOWED BY INCR BRAKING DISTANCE, START ENGINE. *TR

IGNITION SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES OVER DAYS WHILE DRIVING CUTTING OFF ALL ELECTRICAL RADIO, BRAKES STEERING ETC HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 2004 OR 2005 WITH BATTERY SUDDENLY BEING DEAD BOTH ACCESSORY BATTERY IN TRUNK AND STARTING BATTERY AND HAS HAD MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SPENT ON VARIOUS PARTS AND COMPUTERS THAT WERE SAID TO BE DRAWING DOWN THE BATTERY, ABOUT A YEAR AGO CONTACTED PRESIDENT OF MB NORTH AMERICA AND GOT NO HELP FROM CUSTOMER REP THEN LAST MONTH CAR LEFT ME IN INTERSECTION ONE TIME AND IN EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCE LANE ANOTHER TOTALLY SHUT DOWN ALL ELECTRICAL POWER BRAKES STEERING RADIO LIGHTS ETC AND LUCKILY WASN'T KILLED ALTHOUGH DRIVERS SKIDDED AND BLEW HORN ETC. CAR THEN WOULD THEN CRANK AND FLASH RED EMERGENCY TAKE TO SHOP MESSAGE GOT IT CRANKED AND LIMPED HOME PICKED UP BY DEALER WHO COULD NOT GET IT TO CRANK OR TURN ON ANYTHING ELECTRICAL DEAD AND THEY TOWED OFF BLAMED PROBLEM IN IGNITION KEY ASSEMBLY AND I CALLED PRESIDENT OF MB AGAIN NO HELP BILL OVER 2K HAVE LEARNED FROM COMMUNITY MB SHOP "EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE 03 AND 04 SL 500 HAD THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT MB HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED IT. I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE HAD ACCIDENT IF OTHER DRIVERS HAD NOT BEEN ALERT. THERE MUST BE SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS ELECTRICAL DEFECT IF THE MECHANIC IN THE COMMUNITY KNOWS OF IT. SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE GM IGNITION PROBLEM ONLY FEWERESL500S THAN GM CARS I WOULD THINK. *TR

ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED RESULTING IN A DROP ON THE DRIVER SIDE. MERCEDES MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN A DEFECT AND REGULAR ISSUE WITH 2003 SL500 WHERE THERE IS EITHER A LEAK IN ONE OR MORE STRUTS OR THE PUMP FAILURE; BUT YET MERCEDES IS NOT TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE NOT ONLY IN US BUT AROUND THE WORLD AND MERCEDES HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPAIRING THIS DEFECT PER VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS ISSUE. JUST GOOGLE 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 ABC AND YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THE ABC ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE BLED AND THE BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THEY ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 224,679.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SATISFIED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,679.

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS UP RED SAYING "SERVICE BRAKES, STOP VEHICLE, ETC". MY MECHANIC LOOKED OVER EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES AND COULD NOT FIX IT. HE CALLED MERCEDES OF TALLAHASSEE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT DID HAVE A RECALL ON IT, BUT IT EXPIRED IN JULY LAST YEAR, JUST MY LUCK. SO I GOOGLED IT AND HAVE NOW FOUND TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE! HOW CAN THE VEHICLE SAFETY ADMINISTRATION LEGALLY ALLOW MERCEDES BENZ TO CONTINUE LETTING THIS HAPPEN TO PEOPLE? HOW MANY ACCIDENTS MUST TAKE PLACE, OR GOD FORBID DEATHS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? I HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THIS PIECE OF $100K JUNK FIXED AND PRAY IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN! MERCEDES BENZ AND THE VEHICLE SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BETTER PRAY THIS DOESN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR I WILL SUE THE [XXX] OUT OF BOTH! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SRS WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.