2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 5% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10920135, filed 2016-10, 71,000 miles“The contact owns 2003 mercedes SL500. The contact stated that while attempting a left turn, the contact was struck in the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 87,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10373136, filed 2010-12, 87,000 miles“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!”
NHTSA complaint #11061280, filed 2018-01Related service bulletins
- 10029945Mar 31, 2009Mercedes: there is a srs warning in the instrument cluster; this may be due to the wss control unit connection being loose or unplugged. No model years listed.
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500
34 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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