Vehicle was being stored in my garage .. I started the vehicle, it was sitting at an idle.. I noticed the battery light on the dash illuminate. Then I could smell burning. I noticed on the passenger side of the engine compartment smoke. I shut the car off. I opened the hood and noticed more smoke, burnt smell, the wiring harness was shorting and burning. The wrapping of the harness had a crisp feel to it.. As if deteriorating. I disconnected the battery to prevent any further damage or fire. I could hear the wiring shorting. My concern was the engine bay would erupt in flames in the garage, which then could spreading to my house.
The worst 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical2
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical2
- Transmission1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 29
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
- During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or...
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Washer fluid system leaks
- Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight
- Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats...
- Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 |
What 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mercedes sl500. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH merging into traffic. While the accelerator pedal was engaged, the gear automatically shifted into neutral. The vehicle continued to function normally. The failure mileage was 86,400. The current mileage was 86,700. The VIN was unavailable.
I have an 01 s500 mercedes benz with only 44000 miles on it. The instrument cluster went out @ 36000 miles. The lights are dimmed on the speedometer. A local shop tried to repair it for $625 but I was told, since it's a circuit, it will continue to blow. The entire circuit needs to be replaced for about $1900. This should be recalled as I find this to be a common problem with this vehicle model.
Compare the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500
Other model years
199219931994199519961997199819992000200120032004200520062009
Questions about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500
Is the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500, fewer than a typical SL500 model year.
What is the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 year score?
The 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 scores 94 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz SL500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500?
Electrical system, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Mercedes Benz SL500 have the most electrical problems?
The Mercedes Benz SL500 model years with the most electrical complaints are 1995 (18 complaints) and 2003 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500 range from 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.0L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 14 city and 21 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Mercedes Benz SL500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history