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2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 suspension problems

21 complaints (47% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
21
of this car's complaints
47%
typical mileage
56,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Front
    2
  • Rear
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mercedes Benz SL500 suspension problems in other years

2003200420052006

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Air suspension system failureOpened August 14, 2007, closed November 20, 2007

The subject s-class vehicles contain a compressed air suspension system that uses air struts on each of the four wheels in lieu of traditional springs and shock absorbers.these air struts use compressed air to support the weight of the vehicle and control ride height.in the event of the loss of air from the system, an alert will flash on the instrument cluster warning the driver to either drive carefully or to stop the vehicle.the vehicle ride height can be reduced by as much as 105 mm below normal ride height before the full load of the vehicle for that wheel comes to rest on a steel rod, with a rubber stop on the end, located in the shock absorber.this rest-stop condition is designed such that there is no impact on vehicle control.mercedes-benz (mbusa) supplied video showing a vehicle in this condition operating under several different situations including evasive maneuvers demonstrating the ability of the vehicle to be controlled effectively with a ride height reduced to the minimum.only those complaints to odi and mbusa that alleged a steering interference during a reduced ride height condition were counted in this resume failure report.some complaints alleged that with a reduced ride height and a stop now warning message there was a rubbing noise when turning, but the ability to steer the vehicle was not compromised.a sampling of warranty claims submitted by mbusa did not reveal any indicating a loss of control due to an airmatic system failure.there was one crash reported by mbusa to odi but the information available indicated that it related to suspension systems and it was not possible to verify that the incident was related to an airmatic system failure. Further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and will take further action in the future if warranted.this preliminary evaluation is closed.

PE07042

What 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · Suspension · 92,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz sl500. The contact stated on various occasions while his vehicle was stationery and in park, either the right side or the left side of the vehicle would raise up then descend to ground over a thirty second period independently without warning. The contact also stated that the hydraulic fluid leaked out of the engine. The vehicle had yet to be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or serviced for the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked his failure to the federal safety agency campaign number :08v405000 (suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed May 18, 2019 · Brakes, Suspension · 60,000 miles · VA

The vehicle has a bracket on top of the gas tank that comes disengaded and causes this distinctive noise which sounds like something swinging and tapping against the gas tank and I has to happen a lot due to every service I have been asked about the problem. It also has to be something with multiple vehicles due to online mercedes owners are having the same problem. The sound is really disturbing and I would like an answer as to what to do. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Feb 1, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 61,000 miles · TX

I submitted via fax earlier this week a formal letter to mr. Exler the president & ceo of mbusa and, cc'd mr. King of the federal safety agency that included information about known critical safety issued these vehicles had prior to mbusa importing them to the united states. Mbusa failed to disclose these known issues and, chose to importation these vehicles violating vehicle importation rules. Yesterday-january 31, 2019 I received a call from a representative of mbusa stating he was calling on behalf of mr. Exlers office concerning my letter. I will not be intimidated by mbusa while seeking the truth on why mbusa allowed these vehicles to enter the USA knowing these critical safety issues existed while misleading consumers and, the federal safety agency. On january 21, 2019 my vehicle had what is described by mbusa as a catastrophic failure when the entire brake system failed. This failure could have killed me - and, other motorist. Mbusa has replaced the sbc unit at least 6 times and, still the issue and, other persist. The vehicle has been driven on average 4,000 miles annually. How many failures must happen before mbusa is fully investigated? They refused to provide me any information on the vehicles except the 4 year warranty period. Once I complete my research on these vehicles I will submit my findings to the federal safety agency & ms. King

Filed Oct 26, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

Due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection or failure of the hydraulic pump, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may default to the hydraulic back-up mode. In the back-up mode, the driver has braking power sufficient to stop the vehicle, but greater brake pedal pressure is required and brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer. Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all affected vehicles. Additionally, dealers will inspect and replace the ssc pump unit in certain sl models. The mercedes-benz recall numbers are 2005070007 and 2005110001. Research shows only 59% of the 100% required recall was done properly by an authorized dealer. This issue was not disclosed when I purchased this car and, the required work was not done and, mercedes said the 60 days from recall had passed - yet the reports sent to the federal safety agency by mercedes benz appears to be false data - this should be investigated.

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Suspension · 81,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz sl500. The contact stated that the suspension failed and caused the wheels to drop against the inside of the fenders. The vehicle was inoperable unless lifted up with some sort of lifting equipment. The contact informed mercedes-benz of oklahoma city who stated that the failure was a design issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed May 9, 2017 · Suspension · CA

"takata recall" 1. The total body of my 2004 sl mercedes benz suddenly collapsed without warning to within 3 inches from hi-way while traveling on the freeway approximately 50 miles an hour causing me to loose control due to the wheels to drag against the undercarriage and damage to front bumper preventing me me to steer freely while fluid from the ruptured abc valve line apparent sprayed on to the engine. The red abc light came on saying stop to low to drive followed by red SRS light (safety restraint system/ air bags) the internet reviles a multitude of owners of this class and year mercedes benz having the same problem due to a ruptured hydraulic line

Filed Apr 10, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

"takata recall" 1. The total body of my 2004 sl mercedes benz suddenly collapsed without warning to within 3 inches from hi-way while traveling approximately 50 miles an hour causing the wheels to drag against the undercarriage and damage to front bumper preventing me me to steer freely while fluid from the ruptured abc valve line apparent sprayed on to the engine. The red abc light came on saying stop to low to drive followed by red SRS light (safety restaint syatem/ air bags)

Filed Feb 4, 2017 · Acceleration, Suspension · 107,000 miles · TX

I live in texas and my mercedes went into limp mode at a red light. I can not get my transmission repaired anywhere else because they have made it impossible for any other shops to be able to service this specific transmission. They tell me and I quote "we are unable to work on this transmission because it requires special tools which only mercedes dealership carry so you will have to take it to them, sorry" please, please, please recall this transmission!!! Another time I was diving down the hwy doing 70mph when the abc too low dash light came on as well as my car dropping 2 inched to the ground as I was drive 70mph plus I lost control of steering. And once again no one could work on it because it requires special tools. And the one place that could said they were mercedes benz certified. After having my car 3 days and paying $125 for a diagnostic test. I was told it was going to be $5000+ to fix. Long story short I payed the car lot where I bought it from $3587.00 to fix it .

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · CA

I have had major problems with the suspension. The abc light came on before. The car dropped on the freeway. I almost lost control. It is a major problem that should have been recalled and fixed properly. I've only driven 400 miles in the last few years total because I'm afraid something bad will happen again.

Filed Oct 10, 2016 · Suspension · 18,633 miles · CA

The vehicles suspension erratically lowers and rises while driving causing the driver to lose temporary control of the vehicle. This occurs unexpectedly at all speeds. The vehicle has been towed to the mercedes dealer 4 times. The dealer has flushed the hydraulic fluid once, replaced one strut twice, and 3 suspension acceleration sensors and 1 send unit. The vehicle was returned to me several times and condition continued and was returned back to the dealer. Currently the dealer has the vehicle and is not sure how to repair it. The vehicle computer does not indicate codes, but dealer has driven the vehicle and witness this unsafe condition. A formal compliant been filed with mercedes USA. The vehicle is unsafe to drive based on current condition.

Questions about the 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 suspension

Does the 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500, 47% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 suspension?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mercedes Benz SL500 have bad suspension?

The Mercedes Benz SL500 model years with the most suspension complaints are 2003 (34 complaints) and 2004 (21 complaints).

Other 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500 problems

Brakes 11Fuel system 9Electrical 4Transmission 3Wheels 3Acceleration 2Airbags 1Body 1Driver assistance 1Engine 1Steering 1

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