2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 37%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 37% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 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 drove out of my drive and tried to brake the car and a warning light came on saying that my brakes were malfunctioning. The car would not brake. The brakes on the car were dead.fortunately there is a hill at the bottom of the road where I live and by going up the hill the car came to a stop. Fortunately there were no other cars or pedestrians on the road otherwise I would not have been able to stop. When I brought my car to the dealer, they said that it was a software problem and they would fix it for free. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565365, filed 2014-02, 42,000 miles“Mercedes-benz SL500 (2005), 4000 miles. Brakes failed. It would seem to be an electrical or computer failure of some kind. Auto was serviced a week ago. Have had trouble with electrical and/orl features from first day of purchase. The most dangerous was today's brake failure. Had to place car in neutral and then in park to make it stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10171851, filed 2006-10, 4,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the brake warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he lost control of the vehicle but did not provide further information. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The warning message Reduced Braking Power, Depress Brake Pedal Fully and another message advising the contact to take the vehicle to the nearest service station illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11447471, filed 2022-01, 22,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the active body control light illuminated. The contact stated that the shocks felt as if they had failed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the sensotronic brake control failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05v133000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 66,060.”
NHTSA complaint #10478619, filed 2012-10, 65,000 miles“2005 mercedes SL500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brake system failure while driving. The consumer stated without warning the sbc pump warning light appeared and the brakes failed. The sbc pump needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10846510, filed 2018-03Related service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily…
- 11031725Aug 17, 2018The purpose of this letter is to advise you of additional benefits that Mercedes-Benz is providing to you regarding your vehicle ownership.
- 11031585Aug 17, 2018The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year 2003-2012 Model 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 25…
- 10030929Jun 15, 2009Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the…
- 10028644Dec 19, 2008Mercedes: vehicle fails star diagnosis test; inspect brake system for air." models 230, 219, and 211. Model years 2003-2009.
- 10018832Jan 1, 2006Inspect sbc suction hose, replace if necessary, to improve the brake bleeding process.
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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