2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 22%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,132miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, 22% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,132 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle (2003 mb slk320) was purchased on 4/14/2004 in az and began noticing problems on the drive back to nm. The most significant safety problem involves the transmission, which has been serviced by the manufacturer 8 times without resolution. The vehicle slips in and out of gear at highway speeds. The vehicle has spent a total of over 68 days in the shop for unsatisfactory repairs in a one-year period. To this date, the manufacturer has been uncooperative in resolving these problems forcing me to seek legal services.”
NHTSA complaint #10095713, filed 2004-10, 9,132 miles“2003 mercedes benz slk 320 experiencing problems with hesitation when the accelerator is depressed. 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. The there was also a rattle in the exhaust.”
NHTSA complaint #10117517, filed 2005-03Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology