2003 Mercedes Benz SL500 brakes problems

Filed Jul 19, 2022 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact depressed the brake pedal firmly however, the vehicle failed to respond. The parking brake was activated however, the vehicle failed to respond as designed. The contact was however able to pull over and eventually the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 05V133000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 126,000. The consumer stated the part put on the vehicle for the recall was a defective part and not installed correctly.

Filed Sep 16, 2017 · Brakes · 87,800 miles · TX

While driving my mercedes benz 2003 sl500 the brakes became disabled without warning. It was a terrifying experience. The first mercedes dealer I phoned told me that there was no known safety recalls for the brakes. The second mercedes dealer that I contacted informed me about 2 recalls in 2004 and 2005. I phoned the mercedes benz USA headquarters and spoke to a case manager who told me that mercedes' responsibility with this safety issue expired in 2012. How can a safety issue such as having no brakes while driving expire? How can a corporation be allowed to walk away from this type of potentially deadly safety issue? This is a well documented safety issue with this car.

Filed Mar 29, 2017 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · FL

While driving the car in town on city streets the sbs brake system failed as I came to a turn leaving me with no brake response even though the dealer says it was supposed to have hydraulic back-up to stop the car. I was able to coast and stop the car only with the emergency hand brake. The sbs system has been recalled twice by the factory but there is still something very wrong when a modern car had no back-up system. These cars are dangerous! Luckily for me there was no accident and I had the car towed to the dealer and it is being repaired.

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Brakes, Suspension · 116,578 miles · SC

I own a 2003 mercedes benz sl 500 and replaced the hydraulic pump in 2014 for $6400.00. The car would drop low (on one side if parked for a few hours). Today, january 5, 2017 - the identical problem happened again. While driving, I heard a loud bursting sound and then hydraulic fluid began seeping out also, the abc red dash light illuminated stating that the car is "too low to drive". I managed to slowly drive home (without power steering). This is a huge defect in mercedes benz technology and manufacturing - a class action lawsuit is absolutely necessary. This vehicle is defective and dangerous to operate. Also, consumers should not spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on defective parts. By the way, this vehicle has always been serviced by mercedes benz dealership technicians. I would appreciate any additional information or support from the federal safety agency as I pursue viable recourse options. Thank you!

Filed Dec 23, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 86,998 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, she smelled smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that the abc and stop vehicle too low warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned that while driving, the front end of the vehicle started to scrape the ground. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and noticed that it was leaking fluid. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. It was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed but the vehicle has not been repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling, suspension). The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle also showed failure signs of the federal safety agency campaign: 05v133000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was 86,998.

Filed Dec 18, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 87,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the front of the vehicle lowered and leaked fluids as the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Brakes · 51,500 miles · MD

I have a 2003 mercedes sl500 with 52000 miles on it and suddenly the brake warning light came up and the investigation linked it to the sbc hydraulic recall (2005070007). Mercedes had extended the warranty on sbs unit for 10 years and my car is now out of that extended warranty period. The sbc issue did not occur until the car had over 51000 miles. I reached out to mercedes benz customer care and they wanted me to take the car to the authorized dealer which I did and the dealer's report clearly states that they could not connect to the sbc pump and it needs to be replaced immediately. Mercedes benz customer care called me back stating that the car is out of the 10 year warranty period and does not qualify for the replacement. As a matter of fact, I was told that there was no recall on the entire sbc pump and also stated that it was only on the installation of bracket, which happens to be another recall on the sbc unit (2005110001). The vehicle does not adequately stop due to this failure and the repair cost to replace the sbc unit as stated by the dealer is $1939.75. This is clearly a safety recall that is a concern and so would like to request nhsta to advise.

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

2003 mercedes benz sl 500. Consumer writes in regards to possible fatal flaw in vehicle. *smd the consumer stated, as he was backing out of his driveway, he applied the brake and they failed. A red light and a sign instructed him to obtain immediate service. The mechanic, kept the vehicle for a week, but was unable to anything wrong with the brakes. At the mechanic's suggested, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. After the vehicle was there for a few days, the dealership called and said the problem was the battery had died. It was a secondary battery which supplied power to everything that consumed electricity, including the brakes in his model and year vehicle. So, if it failed, so would the brakes.

Filed May 6, 2014 · Brakes · 224,679 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, he attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal sank to the floorboard abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be bled and the brake fluid needed to be replaced. Also, they advised that the brake hydraulic unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 224,679.

Filed May 5, 2014 · Brakes · 96,935 miles · CA

While driving at approx. 20-35mph I pressed the brake and almost went to the floor with no resistance. Dashboard indicates red warning "stop" brake defective, stop vehicle with yellow ABS warning light. After I pulled over, parked the car and shutting down the engine... Warning lights, red emergency "brake" illuminated. As well as, reduced brake effect, start engine and followed by incr braking distance, start engine.