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Mercedes-Benz SL500Model year report

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Problems

Complaints
45filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
75,000miles, 36 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The part named most often is suspension, with 21 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes (11) and fuel system (9). 36 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 6 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “I have had major problems with the suspension. The abc light came on before. The car dropped on the freeway. I almost lost control. It is a major problem that should have been recalled and fixed properly. I've only driven 400 miles in the last few years total because I'm afraid something bad will happen again.”

NHTSA complaint #10940048, filed 2017-01, 90,000 miles

Brakes: “I purchased this vehicle in 2014. My brakes completely went out while driving january 1 2018. I was attempting to stop at an intersection when the the vehicle would not stop with oncoming traffic on both sides coming towards me. I immediately pressed the accelerator and sped through the intersection to avoid an accident....absolutely terrifying and without any warning whatsoever. Because the dealership was closed I was unable to seek service that day. I called mercedes of richmond va being that was the closest dealership where I was visiting at at the time. …”

NHTSA complaint #11058517, filed 2018-01, 131,000 miles

Fuel system: “I experience a strong odor of fuel when entering my vehicle and when driving the vehicle, also when driving the vehicle I heart a loud thumping sound coming from the trunk area. Sounds to me as though something is floating inside gas tank. This odor has sickened me and has severely upset my stomach to the point that I'm unable to drive my vehicle except for a short distance. The thumping sound is created when vehicle is moving or coming to a stop but happens continuously while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11326987, filed 2020-06, 88,620 miles

Electrical system: “Nov 14 early morning a fire started in the truck of my car. Completely destroyed the car. Was parked in my garage. Truck was empty. Had just used car morning of nov 13 and all was fine. *****please see images img_1733, img_1734 and img_1738 thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #11151644, filed 2018-11

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 36 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 92,000 miles.

3%0–1011%10–2511%25–5025%50–7525%75–10025%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (36 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 75,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’10’127’15’17’19’22’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SL500 RWD5.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142117$4,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20061354,0000—17—Not enough data
20051940,2820—17—Falling
20044575,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20038062,8590—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1998645,0000—17—Not enough data
19979122,0001—16—Not enough data
1996685,0000—17—Not enough data
19952297,5000—16—Stable
1994890,0000—16—Not enough data
1993666,0000———Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz SL500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 have?

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 21 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes with 11.

Has the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (SL500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 reported?

Among the 36 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 92,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.