Ignition shut off multiple times over days while driving cutting off all electrical radio, brakes steering etc has had electrical problems since 2004 or 2005 with battery suddenly being dead both accessory battery in trunk and starting battery and has had many thousands of dollars spent on various parts and computers that were said to be drawing down the battery, about a year ago contacted president of mb north america and got no help from customer rep then last month car left me in intersection one time and in expressway entrance lane another totally shut down all electrical power brakes steering radio lights etc and luckily wasn't killed although drivers skidded and blew horn etc. Car then would then crank and flash red emergency take to shop message got it cranked and limped home picked up by dealer who could not get it to crank or turn on anything electrical dead and they towed off blamed problem in ignition key assembly and I called president of mb again no help bill over 2k have learned from community mb shop "everybody knows that the 03 and 04 sl 500 had this electrical problem but mb has never acknowledged it. I am sure I would have had accident if other drivers had not been alert. There must be similar issues with this electrical defect if the mechanic in the community knows of it. Sounds just like the gm ignition problem only feweresl500s than gm cars I would think.
The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz SL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Suspension2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2003 Mercedes Benz SL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
Compare the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL
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Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL
Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL, 3.0 times a typical SL model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL?
Suspension, with 2 complaints. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz SL have?
No recalls on record.
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