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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,438 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Owner Comments

problem #7

Sep 302021

SL500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The 2003-2006 R230 series seem to have a problem with the BCM (Battery Control Module) as start an electrical fire in the trunk. Very common issue and a safety hazard - this is what happened with my car. Vehicle has dual battery, starter in front, convenience battery in trunk and fuses that operate at 130 Amps - the BCM capacitors and circuit board age and at some point can no longer handle the high current and catch fire.

- York, PA, USA

problem #6

Jan 212019

SL500

  • 61,000 miles
I submitted via fax earlier this week a formal letter to Mr. Exler the president & CEO of mbusa and, cc'd Mr. King of the NHTSA that included information about known critical safety issued these vehicles had prior to mbusa importing them to the United States. Mbusa failed to disclose these known issues and, chose to importation these vehicles violating vehicle importation rules. Yesterday-January 31, 2019 I received a call from a representative of mbusa stating he was calling on behalf of Mr. Exlers office concerning my letter. I will not be intimidated by mbusa while seeking the truth on why mbusa allowed these vehicles to enter the usa knowing these critical safety issues existed while misleading consumers and, the NHTSA. On January 21, 2019 my vehicle had what is described by mbusa as a catastrophic failure when the entire brake system failed. This failure could have killed me - and, other motorist. Mbusa has replaced the sbc unit at least 6 times and, still the issue and, other persist. The vehicle has been driven on average 4,000 miles annually. How many failures must happen before mbusa is fully investigated? they refused to provide me any information on the vehicles except the 4 year warranty period. Once I complete my research on these vehicles I will submit my findings to the NHTSA & Ms. King

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #5

Nov 142018

SL500

  • miles
Nov 14 early morning a fire started in the truck of my car. Completely destroyed the car. Was parked in my garage. Truck was empty. Had just used car morning of Nov 13 and all was fine. *****please see images img_1733, img_1734 and img_1738 thank you.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #4

Apr 052017

SL500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

"takata recall" 1. the total body of my 2004 sl Mercedes Benz suddenly collapsed without warning to within 3 inches from hi-way while traveling approximately 50 miles an hour causing the wheels to drag against the undercarriage and damage to front bumper preventing me me to steer freely while fluid from the ruptured abc valve line apparent sprayed on to the engine. The red abc light came on saying stop to low to drive followed by red SRS light (safety restaint syatem/ air bags)

- Inglewoo, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 122010

SL500

  • 33,243 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz S500. While driving 65 mph he started to smell an electrical fire and continued to drive to his destination. After arriving to his destination he noticed that everything electrical in the rear of the vehicle was no longer working. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised him that the drain hole for the air conditioner had filled the floor board with water. The dealer replaced the transponder module and the fuse box since the transponder melted during the failure. The failure mileage was 33,243 and the current mileage was 33,300.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #2

May 172008

SL500

  • 37,823 miles
A complete shutdown of the electrical system occurred after a rain. As a result I am unable to drive the car. Mercedes authorized mechanic cites "air intake at blower intake area was inverted at installation from the factory". the car is in process of being repaired. A complete overhaul of the electrical system will have to be performed. The Mercedes dealer calls it "water intrusion".

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

May 192004

SL500

  • 4,000 miles
While driving vehicle lost power. The engine continued running, but there was no power brake or power steering. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and had been there for 3 weeks, but they could not identify the cause of the failure. A diagnostic test was performed, but no failure code was found. Dealership was awaiting a factory representative to inspect the vehicle. This problem could be attributed to an electrical failure.

- Moscow, PA, USA

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