2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 16%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 16% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,500 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.
“While driving in traffic at approximately 40 MPH the transmission disengaged (slipped) so much so that the RPM's shot up and the car no longer had power to the drive wheels. I needed to move over 2 lanes through traffic to pull over to the curb and get out of traffic. Once I stopped the car at the side of the road the transmission engaged and the car regained power the the rear wheels and I was able to drive the car off the road to safety with some minimal slipping of the transmission. Once I got the car home I checked for error codes even though there was no check engine light on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10981247, filed 2017-04, 60,000 miles“This issue almost cause an accident on the freeway, Transmission went from drive to neutral and then reverse. This is cause by the range sensor. Conductor plate for transmission is very common for this type of vehicles. Please investigate. This can cause a fatal injury or death.”
NHTSA complaint #11508117, filed 2023-02Related service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10165839Jul 14, 2014Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
- 10165844Jul 10, 2014Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
- 10166982Feb 19, 2014During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced.
- 10167545Jul 12, 2013During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced.
- 10030904Dec 1, 2008Mercedes benz: models 203, 209, 211, 219,230, and 463; model years 2005-2007. Replace pilot bushing at electrohydraulic unit. Daimler ag has determined that on affected vehicles…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 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