2002 Mercedes Benz SL Class

Owner complaints

Latest complaints

• Nov 6, 2003SC
  Engine and engine cooling

  While driving at 45 mph, the vehicle stalled. the driver tried to restart the vehicle. the driver took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis. the mechanic replaced gasket and other parts.

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Air suspension system failure

  PE07042Opened Aug 14, 2007Closed Nov 20, 2007
  The subject s-class vehicles contain a compressed air suspension system that uses air struts on each of the four wheels in lieu of traditional springs and shock absorbers.these air struts use compressed air to support the weight of the vehicle and control ride height.in the event of the loss of air from the system, an…

  The subject s-class vehicles contain a compressed air suspension system that uses air struts on each of the four wheels in lieu of traditional springs and shock absorbers.these air struts use compressed air to support the weight of the vehicle and control ride height.in the event of the loss of air from the system, an alert will flash on the instrument cluster warning the driver to either drive carefully or to stop the vehicle.the vehicle ride height can be reduced by as much as 105 mm below normal ride height before the full load of the vehicle for that wheel comes to rest on a steel rod, with a rubber stop on the end, located in the shock absorber.this rest-stop condition IS designed such that there IS no impact on vehicle control.mercedes-benz (mbusa) supplied video showing a vehicle in this condition operating under several different situations including evasive maneuvers demonstrating the ability of the vehicle to be controlled effectively with a ride height reduced to the minimum.only those complaints to odi and mbusa that alleged a steering interference during a reduced ride height condition were counted in this resume failure report.some complaints alleged that with a reduced ride height and a stop now warning message there was a rubbing noise when turning, but the ability to steer the vehicle was not compromised.a sampling of warranty claims submitted by mbusa did not reveal any indicating a loss of control due to an airmatic system failure.there was one crash reported by mbusa to odi but the information available indicated that it related to suspension systems and it was not possible to verify that the incident was related to an airmatic system failure. Further use of agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and will take further action in the future if warranted.this preliminary evaluation IS closed.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10030964Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. The sbc hydraulic unit extended limited warranty applies to all conditions that justify the replacement of the sbc hydraulic unit under the standard warranty terms and conditions.
• 10030941Mercedes: cracking noise from the area of the instrument panel/firewall when cornering, during throttle lift off and on uneven roads. Stress at the spot welds on the firewall to the right of the brake booster can result in cracking noises. No right hand drive. No model years listed.
• 10030939Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake IS applied, the parktronic system IS deactivated. If the foot operated parking brake IS on at the first notch, the contact switch may react with a consideration delay when the parking brake IS released. No model years listed.
• 10030929Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection IS damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. Include all models and model years.
• 10019993A potential malfunction which could render the secondary air injection pump relay inoperable thereby affecting the proper operation of the secondary air injection pump.
• 10016632The alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits.
• 621576Information stating that the cellular phone system in certain vehicles no longer use the automatic mast antenna.

Every Mercedes Benz SL Class model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.