NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
34 reportsClear category filter88,000 miles · Aug 22, 2023
Suspension
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the message "Drive Carefully" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABC tandem pump, struts, and hoses needed to be replaced.…
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The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABC warning light illuminated. Additionally, the message "Drive Carefully" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABC tandem pump, struts, and hoses needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not provide service for older vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #11540123
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2022
Suspension
ABC (Active Body Control) light keeps coming on and body goes up and down when I drove car. Light says do not drive. Mercedes would not take responsibility for this in spite there are so many complaints about this. Really irresponsible by Mercedes.
NHTSA ODI #11486932
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2022
Suspension
I was driving my car at 45 mph and suddenly, unexpectedly a red light flashed ABC do not drive. Smoke was coming from under the car and the front end of the vehicle collapsed downwardly. I had to call for a tow truck to take my vehicle to the MB dealership. I'm I am waiting for the prognosis. I've had numerous issues with the Al…
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I was driving my car at 45 mph and suddenly, unexpectedly a red light flashed ABC do not drive. Smoke was coming from under the car and the front end of the vehicle collapsed downwardly. I had to call for a tow truck to take my vehicle to the MB dealership. I'm I am waiting for the prognosis. I've had numerous issues with the All Body Control system. Expensive repairs in the $3000-$8000 range. This is a safety issue the breakdown happens abruptly and I was fortunate other cars weren't on the parkway with me. Otherwise a crash could gave occurred.
NHTSA ODI #11474844
52,500 miles · Dec 30, 2021
Suspension
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day he noticed that the front of the vehicle was lowered down. The contact stated that the car was too low a warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and taking his foot off the brake …
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The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day he noticed that the front of the vehicle was lowered down. The contact stated that the car was too low a warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and taking his foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle would raise up independently and would be able to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front strap suspension to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,500.
NHTSA ODI #11445617
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2021
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
It has been nearly two years I have stopped driving my 2003 Mercedes SL500, although I only have about 80,000 miles on the car. This is due to ABC warning light(red display: please drive carefully)comes on intermittently and the car drives very bouncy and it feels the car has no shocks, definitely feeling it would be unsafe to d…
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It has been nearly two years I have stopped driving my 2003 Mercedes SL500, although I only have about 80,000 miles on the car. This is due to ABC warning light(red display: please drive carefully)comes on intermittently and the car drives very bouncy and it feels the car has no shocks, definitely feeling it would be unsafe to drive. The diagnostic message comes up saying "visit workshop". This is the third time this ABC pump issue is stopping me from driving the car, since it first appeared when I had 29,000 miles on the car which was under manufacturer warranty (50,000 miles or four years) and the dealership replaced the ABC pump and also replaced the engine mounts. The ABC red light appeared again when I had about 51,000 miles on the car. It happened also the engine mounts were in need of replacement again. As the Warranty was only for 50,000 miles, Mercedes refused to repair the ABC pump and the engine mounts under warranty and finally I agreed to a 50% cost to me to have repairs done. I expressed my opinion that the ABC pump and the engine mounts had engineering and manufacturing defect and they should have 50,000 miles warranty as the original warranty, from the time of replacement. Regrettably, same ABC malfunction and engine mounts became an issue at 78,000 miles and now the dealer and Mercedes refuse to replace the ABC pump and engine mounts under warranty and have given an estimate of $7336.36 for the necessary replacement of parts, including labor, but excluding taxes. To divert attention from ABC pump, the dealer is now referring to the problem as "power Steering pump"I have extensively researched the issues and it appears the mentioned problems with my car are prevailing issues with other Mercedes 2003 SL 500, and there are 100's of owners who feel Mercedes is not taking responsibility for replacement and repair of these defective parts under warranty. My car is unsafe to drive. There should be a recall by Mercedes to fix these dangerous to drive cars.
NHTSA ODI #11430048
78,000 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Suspension
MY CAR IS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE ABC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE CARS SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO RAISE AND FALL. MANY TIMES ONE SIDE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER AND NOT EVENLY. IN 2013 I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND ENDED UP COSTING ROUGHLY $3200. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS AN UNSAFE MECHANICAL ISSUE. AFTER REVIEWING YOU SITE FOR RECALLS…
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MY CAR IS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE ABC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE CARS SUSPENSION CONTINUES TO RAISE AND FALL. MANY TIMES ONE SIDE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER AND NOT EVENLY. IN 2013 I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND ENDED UP COSTING ROUGHLY $3200. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS AN UNSAFE MECHANICAL ISSUE. AFTER REVIEWING YOU SITE FOR RECALLS ON MB 2003 SL500, IT APPEARS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY MODEL YEAR AND CAR. AFTER SPEAKING TO MB OF SARASOTA AND MBUSA IT WAS VIN# SPECIFIC AND MY VIN WASNT INCLUDED. I AM VERY CONFUSED HOW THIS DOESNT COVER MY VEHICLE. NHTSA CAAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V405000. OBVIOUSLY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE VIN SPECIFIC AS MY CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SECOND TIME AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT. IT IS A DANGEROUS MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT MB SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA ODI #11267359
66,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
Suspension
THE ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SUSPENSION TO LOWER AND VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE FRONT END IS SPONGY AND DIPS UP AND DOWN. RED WARNING DO NOT DRIVE ILLUMINATES. VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA ODI #11196858
34,000 miles · Jan 3, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)StructureSuspension
MERCEDES BENZ 2003 SL 500. IN 2011 WITH 34,000 MILES ON ENGINE, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEARD LOUD NOISE HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE FRONT OF CAR DROPPED RUBBING ON TIRES WHICH RESULTED IN ONE BLOWN OUT TIRE AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THANK GOD CUZ INNOCENT PEOPLE OR MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN HURT SERIOUSLY, TH…
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MERCEDES BENZ 2003 SL 500. IN 2011 WITH 34,000 MILES ON ENGINE, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEARD LOUD NOISE HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE FRONT OF CAR DROPPED RUBBING ON TIRES WHICH RESULTED IN ONE BLOWN OUT TIRE AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THANK GOD CUZ INNOCENT PEOPLE OR MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN HURT SERIOUSLY, THIS WAS A $5,000 JOB . 2014 WITH 45,000 MILES ON ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I HEARD AGAIN THAT DISTINCTIVE LOUD SOUND WHICH RESULTED IN LEFT SIDE OF CAR DROPPED RUBBING ON TIRES, FENDER AND TIRE WAS DAMAGED HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST MB DEALERSHIP. HYDRAULIC FLUID PROBLEMS HAS PLAGUE THIS QUALITY SERIES CAR . THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT COST ME $9,800.00 BECAUSE I ALSO HAD TO REPAIR THE ROOF AS IT IS A CONVERTIBLE AND HYDRAULICS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE ROOF . 2018 WITH 60,000 MILES ON ENGINE, WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, I HEARD LOUD THUD UNDER CAR I QUICKLY SWERVE OFF ROAD TO SAFE SPOT CUZ I KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AGAIN, THE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR DROPPED WITH FLUID SPRAYING OUT , CAR THEN STARTED RESTING ON FRONT AND REAR TIRES WITH HYDRAULIC FLUID SPRAYED EVERY WHERE ,HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED COST WAS $2,000 . FEW MONTHS AFTER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN . THIS CAR THAT I LOVE SO MUCH HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE CAR CANT BE DRIVEN AND THE FRONT END / BODY OF CAR IS RESTING ON BOTH TIRES LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE . I AM MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY DRAINED AND ALSO MY POCKETS . MERCEDES BENZ CORP. IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS JUST LIKE MYSELF . AS A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR COMPANY THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A RECALL IN GOOD FAITH TO ASSIST US , AFTER ALL THEY WOULD NOT BE WHERE THEY ARE TODAY WITHOUT US CUSTOMERS . MERCEDES BENZ CORP. WILLFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY IS KEEPING A BLIND EYE TO THIS BIG PROBLEM WHILE WE THE CUSTOMERS ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF
NHTSA ODI #11165574
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension
ABC AND CONVERTIBLE ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AS ITS SUPPOSED, WHILE THE CAR NOT BENN DRING NOR USING THE FEATURES. THE KEYLESS REMOTE KEY ENTRY IS NOT WORKING!
NHTSA ODI #11061280
56,000 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Suspension
ABS PROBLEM MY CAR WONT GO UP OR DOWN IT IS IN THE DOWN POSITION ABS LIGHT IS ON DON T NO WHAT PROBLEM IS I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11057019
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