2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 22%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,066miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, 22% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,066 miles.
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.
“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 9th, 2005. While driving the vehicle home from a dinner engagement, late october 2005, one of the front hydraulic shock dropped and the vehicle literally changed lanes. Fortunately, no cars were beside me at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10142714, filed 2005-11, 23,000 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019128Jan 10, 2006Steering wheel twitch during brake application. Various models including mercedes benz 2006 model 230.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 22% |
| 1998 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsBody and structure
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