2004 Mercedes-Benz SL: common problems and reliability
One of the worst SL years.
One of the Mercedes-Benz SL years to avoid. All SL years
56 owner complaints, most about suspension. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 SL?The 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL has 56 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other SL years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the SL?
Across the 18 SL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2023) to 114 (2003). With 56 complaints, the 2004 SL sits above the model's median of 8.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
What owners say across generations
Sentiment varies dramatically by generation and is heavily influenced by ownership expectations.
Owner insights cover all generations of the SL. See the full SL owner picture and every model year.
Other SL model years
Compare every SL year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the SL against its rivals
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