MYRModel Year Report

2005 Mercedes Benz SL500

○ Not enough data
2005 Mercedes Benz SL500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:17:51.899Z

Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercedes Benz SL500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 22 complaints 1996: 6 complaints 1996 1997: 9 complaints 1998: 6 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 3 complaints 2003: 80 complaints 2003 2004: 44 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 13 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2009
2005: 19 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19922
19936
19948
199522
19966
19979
19986
19992
20002
20013
200380
200444
200519
200613
20092

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 19 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SERVICE BRAKES

6 of 19 total reports mention: service brakes.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180309

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOCKS FELT AS IF THEY HAD FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121004

POWER TRAIN

3 of 19 total reports mention: power train.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 of 19 total reports mention: electrical system.

Show complaint excerpts

MY MERCEDES BENZ HAS A FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE COMMAND NAVIGATION UNIT IN MY SL500.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120325

MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 (2005), 4000 MILES. BRAKES FAILED. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER FAILURE OF SOME KIND. AUTO WAS SERVICED A WEEK AGO. HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL AND/ORL FEATURES FROM FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20061025

SUSPENSION

2 of 19 total reports mention: suspension.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ 500SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SAT ABNORMALLY LOW TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130802

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 of 19 total reports mention: service brakes, hydraulic.

Show complaint excerpts

MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 (2005), 4000 MILES. BRAKES FAILED. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER FAILURE OF SOME KIND. AUTO WAS SERVICED A WEEK AGO. HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL AND/ORL FEATURES FROM FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20061025

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Mercedes Benz SL500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz SL500 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes Benz SL500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz SL500 have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.