1994 MERCEDES-BENZ SL
22 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
Recent Complaints
TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ENGINE STOPPAGE, DEACTIVATION OF ABS, ASD, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, LIGHTS. WHEN GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACT, ROAD VIBRATION CAUSED DETERIORATED WIRING INSULATION (INSIDE A BUNDLE OF WIRES) TO FALL OFF CAUSING A MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. APPARENTLY SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THESE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE INSULATION THAT 'CRUMBLES' TO A POWDER. THIS CONDITION IS NOT VISIBLE DURING ORDINARY INSPECTION AND REQUIRED ONE TO CUT OPEN THE ENCAPSULATED W
Mileage: 89,003
TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ENGINE STOPPAGE, DEACTIVATION OF ABS, ASD, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, LIGHTS. WHEN GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACT, ROAD VIBRATION CAUSED DETERIORATED WIRING INSULATION (INSIDE A BUNDLE OF WIRES) TO FALL OFF CAUSING A MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. APPARENTLY SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THESE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE INSULATION THAT 'CRUMBLES' TO A POWDER. THIS CONDITION IS NOT VISIBLE DURING ORDINARY INSPECTION AND REQUIRED ONE TO CUT OPEN THE ENCAPSULATED W
Mileage: 89,003
TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ENGINE STOPPAGE, DEACTIVATION OF ABS, ASD, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, LIGHTS. WHEN GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACT, ROAD VIBRATION CAUSED DETERIORATED WIRING INSULATION (INSIDE A BUNDLE OF WIRES) TO FALL OFF CAUSING A MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. APPARENTLY SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THESE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE INSULATION THAT 'CRUMBLES' TO A POWDER. THIS CONDITION IS NOT VISIBLE DURING ORDINARY INSPECTION AND REQUIRED ONE TO CUT OPEN THE ENCAPSULATED W
Mileage: 89,003
INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRING CRUMBLES TO DUST, RESULTING IN SHORTS, DAMAGED ELECTRONICS, ENGINE STALLING, ABS FAILURE, ETC. IT APPEARS MBZ USED DEFECTIVE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESSES. IN ALL LOCATIONS THAT ARE EXPOSED TO HIGHER THAN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE THE INSULATION CRUMBLES TO DUST. . DEALER SAYS 'ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 92-95 MODEL YEARS'. REPLACEMENT HARNESSES COST OVER $3000 (2 RQD) AND REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS WITH INTEGRAL DEFECTIVE
Mileage: 82,560
THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM DEVELOPED SEVERE SHORTS, STALLED THE ENGINE, DISABLED THE ABS, ASR,SRS SYSTEMS. WITH ENGINE STALLED, STEERING AND BRAKING WERE DIFFICULT AND RESULTED IN FRONT END DAMAGE FROM IMPACT TO ROADSIDE BRUSH AND DIRT. WIRING INSULATION INSIDE THE WIRING BUNDLES HAD CRUMBLED TO DUST IN MANY PLACES FAR REMOVED FROM THE SHORT/MINOR FIRE. CAR STILL NOT OPERABLE DUE TO OTHER MAJOR WIRING HARNESS SHORTS DUE TO CRUMBLING INSULATION ON THE WIRES (HIDDEN BY THE BUN
Mileage: 80,600