2004 Mercedes Benz SL Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › SL Class › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Mercedes Benz SL Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2004 Mercedes Benz SL Class. Newest first.
Mercedes-benz IS recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. a software calibration number (scn) coding…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that IS required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
Remedy
Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. the recall began on august 30, 2008. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the hydraulic back-up mode, the driver has braking power sufficient to stop the vehicle, although greater brake pedal pressure IS required and the brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer.
Remedy
Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all vehicles free of charge. additionally dealers will inspect and replace the sbc pump unit in SL vehicles produced during a limited production period. the recall began on august 8, 2005. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) IS designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. if an unacceptable pressure gradient IS detected, the system will switch, as it IS designed to do, into the hydraulic function mode.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If vehicles are not routinely serviced and have extremely high mileage combined with a high number of brake actuations, or a high brake actuation frequency, the pump motor of the sbc may run out of permissible tolerances, thereby triggering the hydraulic function mode.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. the recall began on october 21M 2004. owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Owner complaints
3 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields · Suspension
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. *tr
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch
When turning on the air conditioner or any other vehicle accessory the headlights dim or they flash on and off as if going from high beam to low beam, etc. technical service bulletin 040842001a. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall campaign: recall 2004 050014 notice received for defective sensotronic brake. *bf the service dealer computers disengaged the consumers braking system, therefore the vehicle was inoperable. 2004 mercedes benz sl500 roadster. *sc *jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Air suspension system failure
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.
- 10020181The tirefit hose connector may not screw onto the tire valve with an air tight seal. In case of a flat tire, the customer may not be able to inflate the spare tire using tirefit.
- 10019993A potential malfunction which could render the secondary air injection pump relay inoperable thereby affecting the proper operation of the secondary air injection pump.
- 10019822Inspect transmission pilot bushing at electrochydraulic unit and replace if necessary. The transmission pilot bushing may have been installed on the control units with non-tempered sealing rings which may cause a small leak to occur. Updated 04-11-07.
- 10019128Steering wheel twitch during brake application. Various models including mercedes benz 2006 model 230.
- 10018931Learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement.
- 10018832Inspect sbc suction hose, replace if necessary, to improve the brake bleeding process.
- 10016632The alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits.
- 10015604Thumping/rumbling noise from front of vehicle. Mercedes-benz model 230. Model year 2003-2005.
- 10014573Activation of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system with das software 02/05. Mercedes-benz models 199, 211, 219, 230 my 2003-2006.
- 10014548Rough downshifting when accelerating. Various models including 2005 mercedes-benz 219 and 220.
- 10011739Voluntary recall campaign sensotronic brake control system.
- 10008444Sensotronic brake control (sbc) bleeding procedure. Various including my2005 m-benz e-class and sl-class included. This bulletin supersedes pb42.46/46 dated june 24, 2004. All models.
Every Mercedes Benz SL Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.