There are 3 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55. The contact stated that the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and inside the garage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel tank was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The cause of the crack was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, FUEL ODORS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED FUEL HAD LEAKED INTO THE REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK CAP WAS LEAKING AND THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK CAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,685.
GAS TANK BAFFLE BROKE LOOSE. AS YOU'RE AWARE, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT SLOSHING OF FUEL BACK AND FORTH AFFECTS THE VEHICLE'S HANDLING IN MANY WAYS. IN DISCUSSING WITH OTHER SL OWNERS INCLUDING THROUGH MERCEDES BENZ WORLD AND BENZ WORLD, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF BUT WON'T VOLUNTARILY RECALL THE VEHICLES. WE NEED HELP IN ENSURING THE COMPANY STANDS BY ITS PRODUCTS. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026