Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with NHTSA or Mercedes-Benz before booking a repair.
NHTSA · listed for this model year
MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 4,564 MY 2001-2006 CL-CLASS (MODEL 215), MY 2002-2006 S-CLASS (MODEL 220), MY 2003-2007 SL-CLASS (MODEL 230), MY 2007-2008 CL-CLASS (MODEL 216), AND MY 2007 S-CLASS (MODEL 221)PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ACCELERATION SENSORS ON THE FRONT STRUTS. THESE SENSORS MEASURE ACCELERATION AROUND THE Z-AXIS OF THE VEHICLE AND ASSURE AN AUTOMATIC ADAPTATION OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO MAINTAIN A RELATIVELY LEVEL BODY POSITION. VARIATIONS IN THE SOLDERING PROCESS RESULTED IN SOLDERING POINTS ON THE BOARD OF THE ABC SENSORS WHICH MAY NOT BE WITHIN DESIGN TOLERANCES. SIGNALS FROM THE AFFECTED SENSORS MEASURING THE ACCELERATION MAY NOT BE ACCURATELY TRANSMITTED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT.
A VARIATION IN THE TRANSMITTED VALUES BETWEEN AFFECTED AND UNAFFECTED SENSORS CAN RESULT IN ONE FRONT STRUT ADJUSTING TO A VALUE INDICATING BODY MOVEMENT WHILE ANOTHER STRUT DOES NOT ADJUST PRESENTING THE DRIVER WITH AN UNEVEN FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO UNEXPECTED BODY MOVEMENTS AT THE FRONT AXLE WHICH CAN ADVERSELY INFLUENCE THE VEHICLE'S DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT ABC SENSORS IN ALL POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
08V405000 · 4,564 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
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 RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
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.
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.
08V303000 · 404 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
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.
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.
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.
05V133000 · 204,000 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
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.
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.
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.
04V296000 · 143,387 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
Canadian records (Transport Canada) · 3
These are Transport Canada campaigns for 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class vehicles sold in Canada. A Canadian campaign may have no US counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in the United States, go by the NHTSA listing above and NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Certain vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) the sensors on the front struts may not operate within tolerances. As such, the sensor signal may not be accurately transmitted to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). A variation in the transmitted values can result in one front strut adjusting to a value while the other does not adjust and presenting the driver with an uneven front suspension. This situation could have an effect on the vehicle's directional stability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash with injuries or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace affected AZ-sensors
2008290 · 279 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain vehicles, the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) unit may contain a pump piston which is out of permissible tolerances. Also, vibrations within the electrical connector may cause a loss of electrical continuity. Both conditions may result in the system reverting to hydraulic function mode. A loss of brake power assist would result in increased pedal effort and extended stopping distance. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the SBC pump unit.
2005094 · 9,256 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
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. DaimlerChrysler AG has determined that in certain instances, 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. Correction: Dealers will re-program the SBC hydraulic unit. A software update will provide a clear maintenance notice on the vehicle display and assure continuous pump speed operation within tolerances.
2004210 · 6,579 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class recall questions
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window. Transport Canada lists 3 Canadian campaigns for the Canadian-market model, shown separately.
Enter your VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup or Mercedes-Benz's own, or call a Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. Transport Canada campaigns cover vehicles sold in Canada. For a vehicle sold in the United States, go by the NHTSA listing and NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Mercedes-Benz's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Mercedes-Benz so notices reach you, and check NHTSA's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.