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.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated on various occasions while his vehicle was stationery and in park, either the right side or the left side of the vehicle would raise up then descend to ground over a thirty second period independently without warning. The contact also stated that the hydraulic fluid leaked out of the engine. The vehicle had yet to be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or serviced for the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked his failure to NHTSA campaign number :08V405000 (suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
The vehicle has a bracket on top of the gas tank that comes disengaded and causes this distinctive noise which sounds like something swinging and tapping against the gas tank and I has to happen a lot due to every service I have been asked about the problem. It also has to be something with multiple vehicles due to online Mercedes owners are having the same problem. The sound is really disturbing and I would like an answer as to what to do. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
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
Due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection or failure of the hydraulic pump, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may default to the hydraulic back-up mode. In the back-up mode, the driver has braking power sufficient to stop the vehicle, but greater brake pedal pressure is required and brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer. Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all affected vehicles. Additionally, dealers will inspect and replace the ssc pump unit in certain sl models. The Mercedes-Benz recall numbers are 2005070007 and 2005110001. Research shows only 59% of the 100% required recall was done properly by an authorized dealer. This issue was not disclosed when I purchased this car and, the required work was not done and, Mercedes said the 60 days from recall had passed - yet the reports sent to NHTSA by Mercedes Benz appears to be false data - this should be investigated.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that the suspension failed and caused the wheels to drop against the inside of the fenders. The vehicle was inoperable unless lifted up with some sort of lifting equipment. The contact informed Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma city who stated that the failure was a design issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
- Edmond, OK, USA
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"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 on the freeway approximately 50 miles an hour causing me to loose control due to 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 restraint system/ air bags) the internet reviles a multitude of owners of this class and year Mercedes Benz having the same problem due to a ruptured hydraulic line
"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)
I live in Texas and my Mercedes went into limp mode at a red light. I can not get my transmission repaired anywhere else because they have made it impossible for any other shops to be able to service this specific transmission. They tell me and I quote "we are unable to work on this transmission because it requires special tools which only Mercedes dealership carry so you will have to take it to them, sorry" please, please, please recall this transmission!!! another time I was diving down the hwy doing 70mph when the abc too low dash light came on as well as my car dropping 2 inched to the ground as I was drive 70mph plus I lost control of steering. And once again no one could work on it because it requires special tools. And the one place that could said they were Mercedes Benz certified. After having my car 3 days and paying $125 for a diagnostic test. I was told it was going to be $5000+ to fix. Long story short I payed the car lot where I bought it from $3587 to fix it.
I have had major problems with the suspension. The abc light came on before. The car dropped on the freeway. I almost lost control. It is a major problem that should have been recalled and fixed properly. I've only driven 400 miles in the last few years total because I'm afraid something bad will happen again.
The vehicles suspension erratically lowers and rises while driving causing the driver to lose temporary control of the vehicle. This occurs unexpectedly at all speeds. The vehicle has been towed to the Mercedes dealer 4 times. The dealer has flushed the hydraulic fluid once, replaced one strut twice, and 3 suspension acceleration sensors and 1 send unit. The vehicle was returned to me several times and condition continued and was returned back to the dealer. Currently the dealer has the vehicle and is not sure how to repair it. The vehicle computer does not indicate codes, but dealer has driven the vehicle and witness this unsafe condition. A formal compliant been filed with Mercedes usa. The vehicle is unsafe to drive based on current condition.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly accelerated while driving 2 mph. The activate body control system failed and caused the hydraulic system to drop lower while driving. The contact was able to coast onto the road shoulder. The active body control system warning light illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 56,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a compressed air suspension system and while driving approximately 35 mph, the active body control warning indicator illuminated. In addition, another indicator displayed that the vehicle was too low as the passenger's side ride height was lowered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the active body control system or the sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Red abc warning light on. Suspension system in failure mode reducing road handling and vehicle control below minimum safety levels. Mb repair costs exceed blue book car value even though vehicle use less than half life. Lic. P.E #6274 notes mb design/engineering failure--intentional mal-design scheme set-up to defraud consumers of billions $. severe graft/ over charge in process in that airbus aircraft and nuclear design /engineering by mb facilitates pathway to appropriate scaled down costs for ground transportation vehicles. Mb also needs to respond this mb car owner so that elevated discontent is a non occurrence.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz SL500. The contact stated that the suspension was leaning lower on the driver side. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 8/27/15 updated 10/19/2017
The abc vehicle height control system caused the car to drop very close to the ground making the car undriveable, however after pulling to the side of the road and allowing the car to sit, then re starting the car went up to its normal height, what if I was in the expressway?
Driving on freeway and hit bump on freeway the abc lights come on vechicle hard to cotrol here rubbing, vehicle to low flashes went straight to dealer.
The left side (driver's side) of my vehicle suspension system will lower itself. The will occur when the vehicle is parked for a prolong period of time and on any type of surface or grade. I was informed that my vehicle has zero defects. To raise the suspension, I am require to press the abc suspension button and the suspension raised to the proper height.
Parked the car. When tried to backup the car from parked space, the front of the car got stuck over the concrete barriers and broke the front. Upon inspection I realized that the front driver side of the car is dropped about 3 inches. I took it to dealer and after 2-3 months testing and flushing, they told me they need to replace the valve at a cost of $3500. A few weeks later, the hole driver side is dropping both front and back. They tell me another valve needs to be replaced. I check different site on internet and realize this issue is known to dealers and there a great deal of documentation on-line. I appreciate if your office could investigate and get back to me. Thanks
Something called an abc pump and block has failed and car drops down on frame. Spent $3200 on the pump to drive 2 months before they want $3800 to repair the valve block. Both times the vehicle drops and is dangerous to drive. This is in addition to a baffle coming loose in the gas tank that has metal bashing metal inside the gas cell.
My 2004 Mercedes sl 500 suspension completely dropped to the tires "without warning" while I was driving down interstate 95 during rush hour in miami, Florida which caused the vehicle to not respond or handle properly as the vehicle rolled and floated in different directions. It was very scary! fortunately I was able to get the car to a safe location off the interstate highway! as a licensed attorney I highly recommend this issue be "fully investigated" by the NHTSA. This is a very high performance sports roadster that people expect to be safe while driving! some also drive these vehicle at high rates of speed (not legally) but you know that the sl 500 was the most frequented vehicle for speeding this past year in the nation and not being able to control ones vehicle at any speed is frightening and hazardous to both those driving the vehicle, passengers as well as the other commuters on our roads and highways. Before we have another Toyota disaster I highly suggest this matter be investigated immediately. Let us not have preventable deadly accidents before we make a change and recall this car!!! the whole car now moves up and down at random and that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. Performing a simple "google search" reveals that Mercedes Benz already "knows" and has "notice" of the problem from many mb consumers. I do not believe that a car no matter what age should have a suspension system that can literally go out and leave the passengers and driver subject to death or serious bodily injury. Please look into this matter asap! sincerely, very concerned/worried consumer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Katy, TX, USA