Model year
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 9 complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 99 complaints under SL, SL230, SL500, SL500R, SL55, SL550, and SL600. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (2), SUSPENSION (2), AIR BAGS (1). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $5,150–$5,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 4 complaints
- 2001 3 complaints
- 2002 1 complaints
- 2003 9 complaints
- 2004 3 complaints
- 2005 2 complaints
- 2006 0 complaints
- 2007 21 complaints
- 2008 4 complaints
- 2009 0 complaints
- 2011 3 complaints
- 2012 0 complaints
- 2013 0 complaints
- 2014 4 complaints
- 2015 4 complaints
- 2016 1 complaints
- 2017 4 complaints
- 2018 2 complaints
- 2019 0 complaints
- 2020 2 complaints
- 2022 9 complaints
- 2023 1 complaints
- 2024 0 complaints
- 2025 0 complaints
- 2026 0 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
08V303000 · Jul 7, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004,…
05V133000 · Apr 1, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
04V296000 · Jun 22, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) IS DESIGNED TO MONITOR THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WITHIN THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IF AN UNACCEPTABLE PRESSURE GRADIENT IS DETECTED, THE SYSTEM WILL SWITCH, AS IT IS…
Complaints
9 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 1, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SL | 0 | 3 |
| SL230 | 1 | 1 |
| SL500 | 0 | 80 |
| SL500R | 0 | 3 |
| SL55 | 0 | 11 |
| SL550 | 0 | 1 |
| SL600 | 0 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE07042 | AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:LINES AND FITTINGS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:SPRINGS/BAGS;… | Aug 14, 2007 | Nov 20, 2007 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 · 5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| SL55 AMG · 5.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 12 | 18 | 14 | — | — | $5,850 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.