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2003 Mercedes Benz Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
3Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
20032
20041
2006
Compare all Sl years →

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

What owners reported most

Suspension
2Electrical System
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1
All reported categories
Wheels
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: 3 of 3 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). 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.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Suspension complaints

2 reports
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95,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY ABC LIGHT VISIT WORKSHOP LIGHT CAME ON. OK, THAT'S FINE I'LL TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TOMORROW. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPS IN HEIGHT AND A WARNING SIGN CAME ON SAYING "STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW." I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAD MAYBE AN INCH OF CLEARA…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY ABC LIGHT VISIT WORKSHOP LIGHT CAME ON. OK, THAT'S FINE I'LL TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TOMORROW. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPS IN HEIGHT AND A WARNING SIGN CAME ON SAYING "STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW." I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAD MAYBE AN INCH OF CLEARANCE IN THE FRONT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT FEEL ANY LOWER I WOULD BE DEAD DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I DROVE MY CAR TO THE SHOP AND LEFT IT THERE AND WAITED FOR A FRIEND TO PICK ME UP. I'VE READ MANY FORUMS ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAPPENS VERY SUDDENLY AND CAN BE A DEADLY HAZARD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488815

58,000 miles · Aug 11, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

FAILURE OF ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM; PUMP AND WHEEL VALVE FAILURES RESULTING IN LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND RESULTING LOSS OF ABILITY OF CAR TO MAINTAIN SAFE VEHICLE HEIGHT AND SAFE DRIVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470211

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.