Mercedes Benz SL500 owners have reported 3 wheel related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common wheel problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's wheel (3 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
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.
Addendum info to original complaint #10308437 shows that mb service advisor j. Steach advised m . B. Not responsible as driver should "miss" potholes. Engineering analysis shows that it is not possible for driver to steer around potholes. At 70mph mb Sl500 travels 103 ft/sec and it is not possible to observe the pothole hazard and categorize as safety risk at speeds of 70mph(103ft/sec) react physiologically and actuate steering system -all in less than one second-one half second each for human response and same for mechanical actuation-insufficient time to avoid pot hole hit. Dark or low light conditions render pothole miss impossible. In any case, the improperly engineered soft low strength alloy wheel design leads any prudent vehicle driver into a crash trap. Wheel,tire, suspension damage evident-needs corrected immediately at expense of mercedez-benz. . Wife whiplash due to severe abrupt unanticipated forces in bringing vehicle to safe stop. I have neck soreness and aggravation of previous neck injury likely.
My Mercedes Benz sl 500 2004 came with car new alloy wheels are improperly designed and engineered to meet minimum safety requirements. Recently at near speed limit hit a 2-3" pot hole in road. Soft metal alloy rf wheel bent, "z" rated michelan tire blew, follow-on control problem placedwife and me in serious risk of roll-over and worse before my mb Sl500 could be brought to safe stop. Right rear alloy wheel also similar failure recently. This mb failure will kill many less skilled drivers. Needs corrected ASAP. This car unsafe to drive at high speed or out of town remote areas. Old part available. Satisfactory safety fix not known to me. Torrance CA. Mb dealer refused correction. This car is a death trap!!.