I purchased this 2004 SL500 APX 4 years ago. I am the third owner. A year before I bought it, the previous owner had the ABC system repaired under warranty. One year after I bought it, I also had to have the pump replaced, again, under warranty. Six months later, the ABC warning light was on again, and I had the car repaired. Since 2016, I have had an issue with the ABC pump, warning light, hoses, etc, and APX every 6 months. On 7/31/19, I reached out to Mercedes Customer Service because the ABC warning light was staying on, and I was losing fluid, again. I opened a case with them in hopes that they would correct or repair the problem at no further cost to me. I have been advised by three previous mechanics to "get rid" of the car because this is an on-going issue with this model.

Mercedes advised me that I would need to take the car to the dealer for a "diagnosis", at a cost of $264. I told them that I would want them to waive that cost because I already knew what was wrong. They declined to waive the cost and gave me an estimate of $3400 to replace the ABC pump and hoses.

When the ABC fluid drains, it causes the car to drop and/or lean. The ABC warning light comes on first, and after a short time, a secondary warning light that says "Car too low - Stop" comes on. Recently, the car dropped while parked and the front bumper went down onto a curb, and cracked the bumper. Driving the car in this condition is dangerous and scary.

Because I no longer trust Mercedes to do the right thing, I will be selling or trading in this car. And, because Mercedes was unwilling to so anything to resolve the problem, I will not be buying another Mercedes product. This model needs to be recalled.