The contact owns a 1999 N/A Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact purchased the rear brake rotors and pads from R1 Concepts, who sells auto parts on Amazon. When the contact installed the brake parts, the rotors could not be adjusted since the rotors were missing the opening that needed to be pre-drilled. The contact stated that when the rear brakes were adjusted, the defect was found. In addition, the contact stated that while parking the vehicle and setting the parking brake, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the parking brake failed to engage. After several attempts, the parking brake was set. No warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the companies were selling defective products. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but denied assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Mercedes Benz SL500 brake failure problems
11 of the 225 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz SL500 describe brake failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 61,230
By model year
- 20062
- 20053
- 20042
- 20033
- 20001
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
C26DE 1C26BB 1C233D 1
What owners say
2006 sl 500. Consumer writes in regards to sbc warning cluster illuminated and brake failure. *ld the consumer stated the brakes failed while driving causing the vehicle to roll through an intersection. The consumer limped three blocks home. Fault codes c25ds, c26de, c26bb, and c233d in the sbc system.
2005 mercedes sl500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brake system failure while driving. *smd the consumer stated without warning the sbc pump warning light appeared and the brakes failed. The sbc pump needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired.
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.
Brakes fail...warning light only after you have no brakes...a suicide machine in traffic
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz sl500. While driving 25 MPH and attempting to engage the brakes, the brake failed to engage and the warning message to stop the vehicle illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the sensotronic brake control was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 02/19/16*lj updated 02/22/16.
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.
I have a 2006 mercedes benz sl500. I have had numerous issues with the vehicle which were all covered under warranty. On 12-6-2009 I had a total brake failure. Luckily I was in a stopped position and the car started moving forward. The brake pedal was full pressed to the floor and the emergency brake did not work. Mercedes benz of greenway plaza(houston) 713‑986‑6600 did the repair. I was advised by kevin graves(my service advisor) that there was a recall and all repairs were covered under a extended recall warranty. On 1-7-2010 the exact same issue occurred, only this time I was moving in a elevated parking garage. I immediately down shifted to first and stood on the brake and pushed the emergency brake. Luckily again I was moving a very low speed and coasted to a stop. Mercedes benz of greenway again did the repairs and advised that it was another defective hydraulic brake pump. I have no confidence in this vehicle. After doing research there are a number of blogs and other web pages where people have had these issues. I have advised mb greenway plaza that I want out of this car and I am getting a total run around on pricing from there sales staff. This is not a lemon law issue this is a safety issue. I have also notified mb corporate in new jersey. 1‑800‑367‑6372
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz sl500. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the brakes failed. The contact drove the vehicle up a hill in order to stop and then pulled into his driveway. The dealer was notified. The current and failure mileages were 3,200.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz sl500. While driving 60 MPH, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. When the brakes finally began to operate, the ABS, coolant, and esp lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but no repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 17,889.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Mercedes Benz SL500 brake failure
Which Mercedes Benz SL500 years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (3 complaints), 2005 (3 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
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