2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 21%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,692miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 21% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,692 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.
“My mercedes benz has a faulty electrical wiring in the command navigation unit in my SL500. The vehicle has only 16,385 miles on it, though it is a 2005 model, and has been housed in a high-end garage with no trauma, no damage, and very little wear and tear. I purchased the car used about 6 weeks ago. Within the last 3 weeks the unit has gone from working intermittently to not working at all, simply providing a screen message: system unavailable. On march 5, 2012 I took my sl 500 the authorized dealer here, and contacted the service manager . …”
NHTSA complaint #10452934, filed 2012-03, 16,385 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 SL500. The contact stated that the ignition switch was faulty and caused multiple malfunctions in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000 and the current mileage was 25,000. Updated 6/10/14 updated 06/17/14 the consumer stated the ignition switch was faulty, and was eventually replaced, which resolved the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10576421, filed 2014-04, 9,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11000705May 31, 2024Battery Control Module needs replacement due to electrical overstress. Incorrect charging procedures and battery maintenance. Remedy Proper care and maintenance of the electrical…
- 10166105Jul 10, 2014The electrical wiring harness is trapped between the height adjustment gearing and the cushion frame.
- 10048279Nov 1, 2012Mercedes: camshaft adjustment solenoid may leak oil due to settling properties of seal and the engine wiring harness will be retrofitted with four adapter harnesses as a…
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10016687Mar 31, 2009Abc visit workshop displayed in instrument cluster and hydraulic fluid leakage. *tt updated 5/14/09. Models 215, 220 and 230. Model years unknown.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 4 | 21% |
| 2004 | 4 | 9% |
| 2003 | 10 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 33% |
| 1997 | 1 | 11% |
| 1996 | 3 | 50% |
| 1995 | 18 | 82% |
| 1994 | 8 | 100% |
| 1993 | 4 | 67% |
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500
7 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