MERCEDES-BENZ SL · model year

1995 MERCEDES-BENZ SL

16 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995MERCEDES-BENZSL carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 SL is electrical system with 9 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring:front underhood (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 1995 SL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recent Complaints

20110406ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL SL600. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT THE ASR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SO I STARTED TO RESEARCH WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I FOUND AN ONLINE WEBSITE WHICH HAD SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT THE POSSIBLE CAUSES. THE WEBSITE RECOMMENDED THAT THE WIRING SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR CRACKING AND DETERIORATION OF THE INSULATION. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE INSULATION ON MUCH OF THE WIRING GOING TO THE MASS AIR FLOW COMPONENTS AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATORS WAS CRACKED AND FALLING OFF THE WIRES LEAVING ONLY BARE WIRES WHICH ARE IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. I ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO MERCEDES BENZ AND HAS BEEN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BUT THEY HAVE NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY PREVENTING ME FROM USING THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT DUE TO THE HIGH POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE FIRE CAUSED BY THE WIRES SHORT C

Mileage: 79,500

20110130FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1995 SL600 WITH COMPLETELY ERODED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. ALMOST ALL THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES ARE GONE LEAVING BARE WIRES. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS FOR A 100K CAR. *TR

Mileage: 69,300

20100922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ SL600 (VIN [XXX])WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH HAS INSULATION WHICH DEGRADES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES MANY PROBLEMS, THE MOST SERIOUS IN MY CASE BEING A DECELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TOO FAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. IT IS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY MERCEDES BUILT BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE HAD THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $2000.00, I AM AWAITING INFORMATION ON OTHER REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE FAULTY WIRING. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

20100809ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT A NEW MB 1995 SL320, ABOUT 18 MONTHS LATER I HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT AND WAS TOLD ITS THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS WHICH WAS REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ( IDLE AND HESITATION AND BAD SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST ) FOR A WHILE AND FINALLY I SAW IT , THE WIRES HAVE DISINTEGRATED INSIDE THE SLEEVES ALL WIRE ARE TOUCHING, SOME WIRE HAVE NO INSULATION AT ALL JUST A COPPER WIRE, THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THEN YOU SEE THEIR COMMERCIALS BUILT LIKE NO OTHER CAR. ITS GONNA COST MORE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR THAT THE CAR IS WORTH, I THINK MB SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM FREE, OR THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20100510ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CARS RPM IN IDLE AND IN DRIVE SUDDENLY WILL GO UP TREMENDOUSLY AND THEN DOWN BACK TO NORMAL. RECENTLY IT STAYS IN A HIGH RPM MODE. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

20100322VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ SL600 (VIN [XXX])WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH HAS INSULATION WHICH DEGRADES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES MANY PROBLEMS, THE MOST SERIOUS IN MY CASE BEING A DECELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TOO FAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. IT IS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY MERCEDES BUILT BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 72,000

20100322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ SL600 (VIN [XXX])WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH HAS INSULATION WHICH DEGRADES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES MANY PROBLEMS, THE MOST SERIOUS IN MY CASE BEING A DECELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TOO FAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. IT IS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY MERCEDES BUILT BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 72,000

20090112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR KEEPS STALLING PUTTING ME IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY TRAVEL. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

20080520ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WIRE HARNESS INSULATION DETERIORATING. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20080320FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 SL320 WAS REPLACED IN 1997 AND HAS DETERIORATED AND BROKE DOWN AGAIN CAUSING A FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 132,223

20071016EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, CRACKED, CRUMBLED INSULATION, EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND SHORTING ASR, TRACTION CONTROL, FUEL INJECTION THROTTLE VALVE, AC NOT WORKING. THE I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND MANY HOURS ONLY TO FIND OEM WIRE IS DEFECTIVE! THE MB DEALER WANTS $ 6,000 FOR ONLY 1) SIDE OF THROTTLE VALVE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AND THE CAR HAS 2). AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS NOT THE PROBLEM THE DEFECTIVE WIRING IS THE PROBLEM! ITS PLAIN TO SEE THAT NOTHING CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY IF BARE WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, ALL WIRES IN THE ENGINE HARNESS ARE BAD!!! *TR

Mileage: 43,935

20071016SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, CRACKED, CRUMBLED INSULATION, EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND SHORTING ASR, TRACTION CONTROL, FUEL INJECTION THROTTLE VALVE, AC NOT WORKING. THE I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND MANY HOURS ONLY TO FIND OEM WIRE IS DEFECTIVE! THE MB DEALER WANTS $ 6,000 FOR ONLY 1) SIDE OF THROTTLE VALVE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AND THE CAR HAS 2). AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS NOT THE PROBLEM THE DEFECTIVE WIRING IS THE PROBLEM! ITS PLAIN TO SEE THAT NOTHING CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY IF BARE WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, ALL WIRES IN THE ENGINE HARNESS ARE BAD!!! *TR

Mileage: 43,935

20071016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, CRACKED, CRUMBLED INSULATION, EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND SHORTING ASR, TRACTION CONTROL, FUEL INJECTION THROTTLE VALVE, AC NOT WORKING. THE I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND MANY HOURS ONLY TO FIND OEM WIRE IS DEFECTIVE! THE MB DEALER WANTS $ 6,000 FOR ONLY 1) SIDE OF THROTTLE VALVE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AND THE CAR HAS 2). AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS NOT THE PROBLEM THE DEFECTIVE WIRING IS THE PROBLEM! ITS PLAIN TO SEE THAT NOTHING CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY IF BARE WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, ALL WIRES IN THE ENGINE HARNESS ARE BAD!!! *TR

Mileage: 43,935

20070924ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I OWN A 1995 SL600 WITH JUST 42K MILES AND IN PRISTINE CONDITION. THE ASR SYSTEM PERIODICALLY AND RANDOMLY ENGAGED, EVEN WHEN SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT PRESENT. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN 9/22/07 AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN. THE MB DEALER INSPECTED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED MULTIPLE ERROR CODES. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS DUE TO THE WIRING HARNESS(S) BASICALLY MELTING DUE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT. LUCKILY THE CAR DID NOT DETONATE. HOWEVER, THIS IS A DOCUMETED TYPICAL FAILURE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $6,000 AND THAT IS JUST FOR THE HARNESS(S) TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE LIKELY MANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH EXORBITANT REPAIR COST, DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE FAULTY HARNESS IN THIS MODEL. GRANTED THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD BUT METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND JUST 42,581 MILES. FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN ORIGINAL LIST PRICE EXCEEDING $100,000, I FIND THIS DEPLORABLE. THE MARKET VALUE OF THIS CAR WITHOUT THESE REPAIRS IS NULL. I CANNOT AFFORD THE RISK TO MY FAMILY AND THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL BOT

Mileage: 42,581

20070115FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS CRUMBLING LIKE CORN BREAD. IT IS CHEAPLY MADE, I READ THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH BEING RECYCLABLE. I HAVE A 50 YEAR OLD CHEVY WITH THE ORIGINAL WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS FINE. I WOULD NEVER, NEVER BUY ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ AGAIN IN MY LIFE AND WILL WARN EVERYONE I KNOW. *NM

Mileage: 110,000

20030327ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE INJECTOR HARNESS FAILED, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD ONLY COVER 80% OF THE BILL. *JB

Mileage: 49,475

Compare 1995MERCEDES-BENZSL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ SL have?
The 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ SL has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ SL?
The most-complained component for the 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ SL is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ SL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.