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2005 Mercedes Benz Sl Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
2Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
20029
20033
20042
20050
2006
Compare all Sl Class years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Suspension complaints

1 reports
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19,000 miles · Apr 5, 2007
Suspension

2005 MERCEDEZ BENZ C230 SPORT TYPE HAS A LOW FRONT END. IN FLORIDA WHEN YOU PARK IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS AGAINST A CONCRETE TIRE STOP. YOU ARE GOING OUT FOR THE EVENING WITH ANOTHER COUPLE YOU DROP OFF THE 3 PEOPLE AT THE DOOR AND PARK AGAINST THE CONCRETE PIECE STOP. AFTER YOU LEAVE AND ALL FOUR PEOPLE …

Read full complaint

2005 MERCEDEZ BENZ C230 SPORT TYPE HAS A LOW FRONT END. IN FLORIDA WHEN YOU PARK IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS AGAINST A CONCRETE TIRE STOP. YOU ARE GOING OUT FOR THE EVENING WITH ANOTHER COUPLE YOU DROP OFF THE 3 PEOPLE AT THE DOOR AND PARK AGAINST THE CONCRETE PIECE STOP. AFTER YOU LEAVE AND ALL FOUR PEOPLE GET INTO THE CAR THE WEIGHT OF FOUR PEOPLE WILL LOWER THE CAR SO THE FRONT END DRAGS OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND YOU BACK UP AND SHEAR OFF THE FRONT END. CAUSING DAMAGE IN THE TUNE OF $$$$ *JB

NHTSA ODI #10187136

Official recalls

1

05V133000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Apr 1, 2005

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET AND REPLACEMENT GROUND WIRE TO THE SBC PUMP UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONALLY DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SBC PUMP UNIT IN SL VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.