Suspension Problem on the 2003 MERCEDES SL500
Car problem(s) with the 2003 MERCEDES SL500.
This database includes information received by NHTSA from consumers either directly or as recorded by the Vehicle Safety Hotline. This information may be used by NHTSA during the investigation process.
You may file your own complaint by calling the NHTSA Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153. You can also file your complaint online.
Problem with Suspension
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Oct 23, 2012 - Denver, CO - Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE LOWERED ITSELF ABOUT 6 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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May 21, 2012 - Yorba Linda, CA - Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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Apr 23, 2012 - Richboro, PA - Suspension
ABC SYSTEM VALVE FAILURE THEN HIGH PRESSURE HOSES FAILED.
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Jun 28, 2011 - Chattanooga, TN - Suspension
I HAVE HAD ONGOING / CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 SL 500 MODEL 230 ABC (ACTIVE BODY CONTROL) SYSTEM. THE RESULTING ISSUES OCCUR AT RANDOM AND WITH LITTLE CONSISTENCY. THE RESULTING EFFECT CAUSES THE CAR TO DRIVE SOFT ON SOME OCCASIONS AND RIGID ON OTHERS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AND REPORTED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THUS FAR THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ONE WHO CAN PROPERLY AFFECT AND IMPROVE THE SITUATION. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 27, 2011 INQUIRING REGARDING A RECALL REPORTED IN THE NHTSA RECALL SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL HOWEVER THE RECALL 08V405000 SUGGESTS OTHERWISE. THE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ABC SYSTEMS MAKES ME WEARY OF MB ABILITY TO CORRECT SAFETY AND DRIVING ISSUES. WHILE THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE MY FEAR IS IF MB NOR THE DEALERSHIP RECOGNIZES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ABC SYSTEMS, HOW MANY UNREPAIRED AND UNSAFE VEHICLES DO WE HAVE ON OUR STREETS?
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Mar 26, 2011 - Vallejo, CA - Suspension
VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING MINOR LEAK OF PINK COLOR FLUID THAT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP IDENTIFIED AS HYDRAULIC FLUID FOR ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM. FROM A VISUAL INSPECTION, THE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM ABC TANDEM PUMP. THE LEAK GOT WORSE BY THE WEEK AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY PARKED AFTER A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FLUID WAS BUILDING UP ON THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER A WEEK, THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER THE ENGINE AND THE WHOLE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE BOTTOMED OUT AND LITERALLY SUNK OVER THE FRONT LEFT AND REAR LEFT TIRES. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP (WALNUT CREEK) SAID IT WAS LIKELY THE ABC PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT FIX BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY MECHANIC FRIEND CONFIRMED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE ABC PUMP. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE ABC VALVE BLOCKS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR BEGAN TO LEAK. WE FOUND THAT THERE WERE CLOGS IN THE FRONT AND REAR VALVES. GOING BACK TO MERCEDES, THE PARTS SPECIALISTS INFORMS US ABOUT THE UPDATED PARTS IN THE ABC SYSTEM THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THEY NORMALLY HAVE ALL THE UPDATED PARTS STOCKED AND ON-HAND. I ENDED UP REPLACING EVERY PART IN THE ABC SYSTEM SINCE IT WAS EVIDENT THAT CONTAMINATION EXISTED WITH THE CLOGGED VALVES. THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBERS: 220-320-12-58 $2499.00; 220-320-0858 $750; POWER STEERING TANDEM ABC PUMP $1015; HYDRAULIC FLUID $450, FILTERS $40, OIL LINES $300, LABOR $800. TOTAL IS ROUGHLY $5000. THE PARTS SPECIALIST WAS RIGHT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE ABC SYSTEM FOR MY VEHICLE. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE. I DON+T THINK THAT REPLACING ALL COMPONENTS OF THE ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A MERCEDES IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE/REPAIR. HOW DOES THE CONTAMINATION OCCUR IN A CLOSED SYSTEM? THIS CAR WAS A LUXURY THAT BECAME A NIGHTMARE. THIS IS ONLY A BRIEF AND SIMPLIFIED SERIES OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO A COMPLETE MALFUNCTION IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM.
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Jun 03, 2009 - Savannah, GA - Suspension
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500SL DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR JUST DROPPED DOWN , THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED IT RUINED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE THE CAR DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S HARD TO GET IT TOWED. IT IS VERY LOW AND IT CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT , THE FUNNY THING WAS THE NEXT DAY STARTED THE CAR UP THE CAR CAME UP BUT KNOWING MY UNDERCARRIAGE IS DESTROYED . I HAD COUPLE INCIDENTS HAPPEN TO MEN LUCK I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. IT ALSO THROWS YOUR ALIGNMENT OUT.
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