U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Mercedes Benz SL55 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

11 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

45,600 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	3	27.3%
Fuel system concerns	3	27.3%
Braking behavior	2	18.2%
Engine operation	1	9.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System

Fuel System, Gasoline

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System

Fuel/Propulsion System

Power Train

Suspension

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Engine And Engine Cooling	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	1
Fuel/Propulsion System	1
Power Train	1
Suspension	1

Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Suspension: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2012

2013

2015

2023

2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2023: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11519426 · 2023-04-28 (April 28, 2023)

My car (the SL55 and all SL models) has a "Battery Control Module" (BCM) also referred to as the "Battery Stabilization Control Load Module" which shows signs of imminent failure which will lead to a meltdown or fire. I inspected the module after finding that this was a common problem with these cars online. This model of car has been documented to completely catch on fire, even when parked after driving. I have pictures of the burnt board inside my BCM. I am very concerned as it could literally burn my house down. The typical warning for this …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519426 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11519614 · 2023-04-29 (April 29, 2023)

It appears the BCM (Battery Control Module) caught fire and burned a significant portion of the trunk and associated wiring.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519614 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10289028 · 2009-10-19 (October 19, 2009)

DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK BAFFLES. FUEL TANK BAFFLE(S) COME LOOSE AND BOUNCE AROUND INSIDE TANK BANGING THE SIDES OF THE FUEL TANK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 23,285 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289028 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10488988 · 2012-12-17 (December 17, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE COULD HEAR SOMETHING MOVING ABNORMALLY WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488988 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10227665 · 2008-05-13 (May 13, 2008)

I WAS HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO THE SHOP 3 TIMES TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING - ONCE I ALMOST RAN A PEDESTRIAN OVER AS I TRIED TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES APPEARED TO NOT WORK AT ALL - THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THEY SAY DOES NOTHING. ANOTHER TIME PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE NO BRAKES AGAIN AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE CONCRETE BLOCK I WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE STORE FRONT. THE LAST TIME WAS AT MY HOME - PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO THE MERCEDES DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES …

Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227665 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10343932 · 2010-07-19 (July 19, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL55. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON NOISE WAS NEAR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE AND THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUMP MOTOR. NHTSA RECALL 04V296000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $150. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…

Owner-reported narrative. 45,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343932 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10203787 · 2007-09-17 (September 17, 2007)

2003 MERCEDES SL-55 ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. *KB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10203787 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

11 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

63.6%Usable mileage7 / 11 records

100.0%Valid incident date11 / 11 records

100.0%Valid filing date11 / 11 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates11 / 11 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Electrical System	218.2% ODI 11519614 It appears the BCM (Battery Control Module) caught fire and burned a significant portion of the trunk and associated wiring. Look up ODI 11519614 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11573482 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 repla… Look up ODI 11573482 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10496582 · 31,200 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ SL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MANY OCCASIONS BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,200. Look up ODI 10496582 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	218.2% ODI 10289028 · 23,285 mi DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK BAFFLES. FUEL TANK BAFFLE(S) COME LOOSE AND BOUNCE AROUND INSIDE TANK BANGING THE SIDES OF THE FUEL TANK. *TR Look up ODI 10289028 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11422829 · 53,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 11422829 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	19.1% ODI 10266038 · 60,000 mi ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND INTERCOOLER PUMP FOR TURBO FAILED ON 2003 SL55 AMG. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AS EVIDENCED ON THE MB BOARDS. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR Look up ODI 10266038 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10205311 · 8,700 mi SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY BRAND NEW MERCEDES-BENZ SL-55, I NOTICED SEVERE PULLING TO ONE SIDE TO THE POINT THAT, AFTER MORE THAN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, I WILL HAVE TO SWITCH ARMS TO CONTINUE APPLYING COMPENSATING WEIGHT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, THE PULLING DECREASED BUT NEVER DISAPPEARED. HOWEVER, OTHER SYMPTOMS STARTED SURFACING, SUCH AS SEVERE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT AND DEVELOPMENT OF RIDGES, LUMP OR DEFORMITIES THAT CAUSE NOISE AND CREATE A "LIMPING" EFFECT. AS MORE MONTHS PASSED BY AND TIRE(S) CONTIN… Look up ODI 10205311 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11719481 · 168,000 mi The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL55. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Active Body Control" was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated that prior to receiving the Active Body Control message, several fluid stains were found on the ground. The contact believed that the stains were hydraulic fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with active body control failure, which caused the leak of the hydraulic fluid. The local dealer provided t… Look up ODI 11719481 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	19.1% ODI 10203787 2003 MERCEDES SL-55 ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. *KB Look up ODI 10203787 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11719481 · 168,000 mi The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL55. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Active Body Control" was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated that prior to receiving the Active Body Control message, several fluid stains were found on the ground. The contact believed that the stains were hydraulic fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with active body control failure, which caused the leak of the hydraulic fluid. The local dealer provided t… Look up ODI 11719481 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	218.2% ODI 10227665 · 22,000 mi I WAS HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO THE SHOP 3 TIMES TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING - ONCE I ALMOST RAN A PEDESTRIAN OVER AS I TRIED TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES APPEARED TO NOT WORK AT ALL - THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THEY SAY DOES NOTHING. ANOTHER TIME PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE NO BRAKES AGAIN AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE CONCRETE BLOCK I WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE STORE FRONT. THE LAST TIME WAS AT MY HOME - PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO THE MERCEDES DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES … Look up ODI 10227665 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10205311 · 8,700 mi SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY BRAND NEW MERCEDES-BENZ SL-55, I NOTICED SEVERE PULLING TO ONE SIDE TO THE POINT THAT, AFTER MORE THAN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, I WILL HAVE TO SWITCH ARMS TO CONTINUE APPLYING COMPENSATING WEIGHT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, THE PULLING DECREASED BUT NEVER DISAPPEARED. HOWEVER, OTHER SYMPTOMS STARTED SURFACING, SUCH AS SEVERE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT AND DEVELOPMENT OF RIDGES, LUMP OR DEFORMITIES THAT CAUSE NOISE AND CREATE A "LIMPING" EFFECT. AS MORE MONTHS PASSED BY AND TIRE(S) CONTIN… Look up ODI 10205311 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10353524 · 45,000 mi SPEEDOMETER APPEARS TO BE DISPLAYING/INDICATING INACCURATE SPEED COMPARE TO ACTUAL SPEED OF THE CAR. *TR Look up ODI 10353524 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10452881 · 50,578 mi ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. HYDRAULIC FLUID SPRAYED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE RISES AND LOWERS UNEXPECTEDLY. IF THE VEHICLE SITS FOR LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS, IT WILL DROP AT ONE SIDE OR TIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10452881 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	42,225 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10289028 · 23,285 mi DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK BAFFLES. FUEL TANK BAFFLE(S) COME LOOSE AND BOUNCE AROUND INSIDE TANK BANGING THE SIDES OF THE FUEL TANK. TR Look up ODI 10289028 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10533348 · 61,165 mi INTERNAL GAS TANK BAFFLE HAS COME LOOSE INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THIS CAUSES A CONSISTENT AND VERY ANNOYING RATTLING SOUND. TR Look up ODI 10533348 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	33,800 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10227665 · 22,000 mi I WAS HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO THE SHOP 3 TIMES TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING - ONCE I ALMOST RAN A PEDESTRIAN OVER AS I TRIED TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE BRAKES APPEARED TO NOT WORK AT ALL - THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THEY SAY DOES NOTHING. ANOTHER TIME PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE NO BRAKES AGAIN AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE CONCRETE BLOCK I WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE STORE FRONT. THE LAST TIME WAS AT MY HOME - PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR INTO THE MERCEDES DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES … Look up ODI 10227665 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10343932 · 45,600 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL55. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON NOISE WAS NEAR THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE AND THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUMP MOTOR. NHTSA RECALL 04V296000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $150. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF… Look up ODI 10343932 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	Too few reports for a range	60,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10266038 · 60,000 mi ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND INTERCOOLER PUMP FOR TURBO FAILED ON 2003 SL55 AMG. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AS EVIDENCED ON THE MB BOARDS. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR Look up ODI 10266038 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	54,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10488988 · 54,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE COULD HEAR SOMETHING MOVING ABNORMALLY WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000. Look up ODI 10488988 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	33,416 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10759416 · 33,416 mi PLASTIC PIECE ON GEARSHIFT ASSEMBLY BROKE NOT ALLOWING CAR TO BE PLACED IN GEAR. IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH 1000'S OF THESE CARS BASED ON INTERNET SEARCH. CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THEY CHARGE $1300.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED TO SAVE MONEY ON THIS PART BEING REPLACED TO TAKE A MALLET AND FINISH BREAKING PIECE THEREBY RENDERING CHILD SAFETY FEATURE USELESS. APPARENTLY LOOKING AT THE INTERNET THIS IS WHAT 1000'S OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DONE. HOW MERCEDES THINKS THIS IS A NOT A SAFETY CONCERN IS BEYOND ME.… Look up ODI 10759416 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	60,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10266038 · 60,000 mi ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND INTERCOOLER PUMP FOR TURBO FAILED ON 2003 SL55 AMG. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AS EVIDENCED ON THE MB BOARDS. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR Look up ODI 10266038 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2006: 1 complaints · 2007: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2006	1	1	1
2007	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2006	3	0	0
2007	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Fuel System, Gasoline	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	Fuel/Propulsion System	Power Train	Suspension
Electrical System	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10266038 · 60,000 mi ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND INTERCOOLER PUMP FOR TURBO FAILED ON 2003 SL55 AMG. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AS EVIDENCED ON THE MB BOARDS. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR Look up ODI 10266038 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Suspension	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10266038 · 60,000 mi ABC SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND INTERCOOLER PUMP FOR TURBO FAILED ON 2003 SL55 AMG. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AS EVIDENCED ON THE MB BOARDS. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR Look up ODI 10266038 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 22,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10227665 · 22,000 mi

Look up ODI 10227665 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10203787

2003 MERCEDES SL-55 ENGINE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. *KB

Look up ODI 10203787 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 45,600 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10343932 · 45,600 mi

Look up ODI 10343932 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b