2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 4% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 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 own a 2003 mercedes benz SL500. Like most owners of this vehicle, the baffle moves freely within the gas tank which causes a noise and is potential dangerous if a spark is created from the baffle hitting the inside walls of the gas tank. From my research it is a manufacture issue with the welding of the baffle to the internal wall of the gas tank. There is a tremendous amount of complaints and threads on mercedes forums. Please follow link to see all complaints. It is poor customer service and accountability from mercedes benz USA to not recall the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10588940, filed 2014-05, 74,000 miles“Mercedes benz 2003 sl 500. In 2011 with 34,000 miles on engine, while driving on highway heard loud noise had to pull over quickly because front of car dropped rubbing on tires which resulted in one blown out tire and had car towed to nearest dealership, thank god cuz innocent people or myself could have been hurt seriously, this was a $5,000 job . 2014 with 45,000 miles on engine while driving on highway I heard again that distinctive loud sound which resulted in left side of car dropped rubbing on tires, fender and tire was damaged had car towed to nearest mb dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11165574, filed 2019-01, 34,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz SL500. Whenever the contact attempts to use the trunk, the trunk lid falls immediately back down. This prevents him from being able to use the trunk at all. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the trunk lid would slightly fall when placed in the upright position. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 35,300 and failure mileage was 25,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10231312, filed 2008-06, 25,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038217Sep 14, 2026Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise…
- 11036101Aug 6, 2026Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise…
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump…
Body and structure: 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 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 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