2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes133.3%
- Electrical133.3%
- Fuel system133.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The BCM in the SL class (Mercedes chassis code r230) fails very often. It catches fire and burns down vehicles in MANY instances. Mercedes is not selling a replacement part because they want to save money. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC ASSISTED BRAKING SYSTEM!!! The BCM balances battery loads in the vehicle. When it fails it can make any electronic system in the car malfunction or simply not work. This could be as simple as the car not starting or as severe as it burning down your ENTIRE HOME. I would be okay if they simply sold a replacement part but they DO NOT forcing all owners of this vehicle to drive it despite the condition of that battery module. All I’m asking is for a part to be made. No one has managed to make a replacement or refurbished part but Mercedes who turned their backs on us. They were refurbishing the parts but stopped for some unknown reason. This is dangerous for all owners of the Mercedes SL chassis code r230. Please help you’re the only ones that can.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55. The contact stated that the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and inside the garage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel tank was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The cause of the crack was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .