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Mercedes-Benz SL55Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,600miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl RWD · 12 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,600 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz SL55 amg. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he could hear something moving abnormally within the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised him that he needed to replace the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 54,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10488988, filed 2012-12, 54,000 miles

Brakes: “I was having some trouble with the brakes, I brought the car back into the shop 3 times to let them know that the brakes were failing - once I almost ran a pedestrian over as I tried to stop and the vehicle brakes appeared to not work at all - the hydraulic system they say does nothing. Another time pulling into a parking space no brakes again and if it weren't for the concrete block I would have run into the store front. The last time was at my home - pulling into the driveway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10227665, filed 2008-05, 22,000 miles

Electrical system: “The battery control module (known as the BCM or BNS) failed, triggering a fire. The incident occurred while the vehicle was parked in a garage and had not been operated for several weeks. The fire consumed the module, insulation on wiring connected to and close to the module, part of the trunk lining material, and burned through a total of five hydraulic lines (retractable roof hydraulics). It appears that the trunk seal limited air to the point that the fire was self extinguished. This is the only thing that saved the attached garage and house. …”

NHTSA complaint #11557042, filed 2023-11

Engine cooling: “Abc suspension system and intercooler pump for turbo failed on 2003 SL55 amg. Very common problem on these vehicles as evidenced on the mb boards. Recall should be issued.”

NHTSA complaint #10266038, filed 2009-04, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,416 and 54,000 miles.

0%0–1029%10–2529%25–5043%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200720082009201020122013201520233
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 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 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
SL55 AMG RWD5.5L 8-cyl5-speed automatic121814$5,850

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 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 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. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 42 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL55

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031145,6000—14—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz SL55 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 (SL55 AMG, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,600 miles and the middle half falls between 33,416 and 54,000 miles; 57% 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.