2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 8%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,998miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 8% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,998 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“I was driving on the freeway when the idler pulley simply fell off the front of the engine. Obviously, the belt came off too. The vehicle was hard to control since the power steering stopped working. Additionally, breaking effort increased, stability control malfunctioned, and a few other non-essential systems became inoperable.”
NHTSA complaint #10453121, filed 2012-03, 90,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10644790, filed 2014-10, 69,998 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414395, filed 2021-04, 95,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. While driving into the garage, the abc pump warning indicator illuminated and the contact noticed smoke inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed a large amount of hydraulic fluid on the garage floor. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front and rear axle valve lock, and pressure reservoir for the abc system needed to be repaired and flushed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v263000 (suspension, engine and engine cooling). …”
NHTSA complaint #10936250, filed 2016-12, 55,620 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10167001Feb 20, 2014Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment is nonfunctional.
- 10028587Feb 27, 2009Mercedes: leaks at steering gear control head connection to high or low pressure lines or leaks at internal steering lines of control head connection to steering gear housing…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500
34 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 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 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