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2005 Mercedes Benz SL500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
80
200345
200419
200513
2006
Compare all SL500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Service Brakes
6Electrical System
4Power Train
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Suspension
2
All reported categories
Air Bags
1Engine
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Visibility
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: 17 of 19 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 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 reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
7,800 miles · May 27, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO FLIP OVER,HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE ARM AND SHOULDER INJURIES. THE TWO VEHICLES HE CRASHE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO FLIP OVER,HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE ARM AND SHOULDER INJURIES. THE TWO VEHICLES HE CRASHED INTO WERE TOTALED AS WELL AS THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,800. UPDATED 8/4/10 *CN UPDATED 08/09/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10332577

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.