2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class recalls and problems

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class has 1 recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2005 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 4 SL Class model years — 3rd most.

1recalls

2complaints

1crashes

0fires

1injuries

34,581median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

1 recall

Service Brakes

Apr 1, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V133000 · 204,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system May prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.

Risk: In the hydraulic back-up mode, the driver has braking power sufficient to stop the vehicle, although greater brake pedal pressure is required and the brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all vehicles free of charge. Additionally dealers will inspect and replace the sbc pump unit in sl vehicles produced during a limited production period. The recall began on August 8, 2005. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz recall no. 2005070007 and 2005110001. Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags1

Suspension1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2005 vs. other Mercedes-Benz SL Class years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, the latest from Apr 1, 2005 (service brakes). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (1), suspension (1), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.