https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the Mercedes-Benz SL. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:48:47 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-1064546 Tue, 13 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT IGNITION SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES OVER DAYS WHILE DRIVING CUTTING OFF ALL ELECTRICAL RADIO, BRAKES STEERING ETC HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 2004 OR 2005 WITH BATTERY SUDDENLY BEING DEAD BOTH ACCESSORY BATTERY IN TRUNK AND STARTING BATTERY AND HAS HAD MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SPENT ON VARIOUS PARTS AND COMPUTERS THAT WERE SAID TO BE DRAWING DOWN THE BATTERY, ABOUT A YEAR AGO CONTACTED PRESIDE https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-1053623 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT I WAS DRIVING A 2006 SL65. THE CAR HAD AN ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM. THUS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONNECTED TO A SENSOR WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO A PUMP WHICH TURNED THE BRAKES ON. SOMETHING FAILED. THERE WERE NO BRAKES! LUCKILY I DID NOT CRASH DESPITE BEING ON A CHICAGO CITY STREET. I WAS PROBABLY ON THE ONLY STREET WHERE I WOULD NOT HAVE CRASHED. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL ON OLDER SLS FOR THIS PROB https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-1053624 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:00:00 GMT I WAS DRIVING A 2006 SL65. THE CAR HAD AN ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM. THUS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONNECTED TO A SENSOR WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO A PUMP WHICH TURNED THE BRAKES ON. SOMETHING FAILED. THERE WERE NO BRAKES! LUCKILY I DID NOT CRASH DESPITE BEING ON A CHICAGO CITY STREET. I WAS PROBABLY ON THE ONLY STREET WHERE I WOULD NOT HAVE CRASHED. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL ON OLDER SLS FOR THIS PROB https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-953776 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY ABC LIGHT VISIT WORKSHOP LIGHT CAME ON. OK, THAT'S FINE I'LL TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TOMORROW. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPS IN HEIGHT AND A WARNING SIGN CAME ON SAYING "STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW." I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAD MAYBE AN INCH OF CLEARANCE IN THE FRONT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT FEEL ANY LOWER https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-953777 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY ABC LIGHT VISIT WORKSHOP LIGHT CAME ON. OK, THAT'S FINE I'LL TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TOMORROW. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPS IN HEIGHT AND A WARNING SIGN CAME ON SAYING "STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW." I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAD MAYBE AN INCH OF CLEARANCE IN THE FRONT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT FEEL ANY LOWER https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-953778 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY ABC LIGHT VISIT WORKSHOP LIGHT CAME ON. OK, THAT'S FINE I'LL TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TOMORROW. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPS IN HEIGHT AND A WARNING SIGN CAME ON SAYING "STOP DRIVING, CAR TOO LOW." I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAD MAYBE AN INCH OF CLEARANCE IN THE FRONT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT FEEL ANY LOWER https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-933401 Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT FAILURE OF ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM; PUMP AND WHEEL VALVE FAILURES RESULTING IN LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND RESULTING LOSS OF ABILITY OF CAR TO MAINTAIN SAFE VEHICLE HEIGHT AND SAFE DRIVABLE. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-933402 Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT FAILURE OF ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM; PUMP AND WHEEL VALVE FAILURES RESULTING IN LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND RESULTING LOSS OF ABILITY OF CAR TO MAINTAIN SAFE VEHICLE HEIGHT AND SAFE DRIVABLE. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-933403 Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT FAILURE OF ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM; PUMP AND WHEEL VALVE FAILURES RESULTING IN LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND RESULTING LOSS OF ABILITY OF CAR TO MAINTAIN SAFE VEHICLE HEIGHT AND SAFE DRIVABLE. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-924036 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I HELD THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY, BUT THE CAR STARTED MOVING TO THE RIGHT, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT APPEARED TO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WAS OKAY. WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN. LUCKILY, BOTH TIMES, I WAS DRIVING LOCALLY AT A LOW SPEED, RATHER https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-924037 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I HELD THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY, BUT THE CAR STARTED MOVING TO THE RIGHT, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT APPEARED TO BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WAS OKAY. WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN. LUCKILY, BOTH TIMES, I WAS DRIVING LOCALLY AT A LOW SPEED, RATHER https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-922181 Sat, 09 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT A POUNDING NOISE (LIKE A HAMMER HITTING A 2X4) OCCURRED REPEATEDLY WHENEVER I STARTED OR STOPPED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILURE OF THE BAFFLES INSIDE THE GAS TANK AND REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS TANK AT A COST OF OVER $2000. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE BAFFLES SLIDING AROUND THE TANK WOULD ULTIMATELY CAUSE IT TO LEAK IF THE https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-915549 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT THERE ARE MULTIPLE INHERANT FLAWS WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE THAT AFFECT THE SAFETY AND ROADWORTHINESS OF THIS AUTOMOBILE INCLUDED HERIN AS ABSERVED BY ME IN MY OWNERSHIP. I HAD REPLACED THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD INSULATION ON THE WIRES THAT LITTERALLY TURNED TO DUST! THESE WIRES WERE FREE TO ARC ON EACHOTHER CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION(THIS CAR IS E https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-915550 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT THERE ARE MULTIPLE INHERANT FLAWS WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE THAT AFFECT THE SAFETY AND ROADWORTHINESS OF THIS AUTOMOBILE INCLUDED HERIN AS ABSERVED BY ME IN MY OWNERSHIP. I HAD REPLACED THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD INSULATION ON THE WIRES THAT LITTERALLY TURNED TO DUST! THESE WIRES WERE FREE TO ARC ON EACHOTHER CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION(THIS CAR IS E https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-881267 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY, AT LEAST ONE OF THESE EVENTS WOULD OCCUR: A) THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT, IT WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN HIGH GEAR. B) THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO IDLE AT STOP, THEN IT WOULD STALL. C) WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT UP-SHIFT, THE CAR WOULD BE STUCK IN "LIMP HOME " MODE (SECOND GEAR?). D) PEDDLES WOULD NOT BE FUNCTIONAL. THE PROPER OPERATION WOUL https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-862984 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT WAS REPAIRING A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ SLK55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOW HOOK FRACTURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING UNLOADED BY A TRUCKING COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,127. https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-850427 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT 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 INSPECT https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-839460 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT 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 https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-815896 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT 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 E https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-805170 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT 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 J https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-786545 Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT 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 https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-775961 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT 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 https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-775962 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT 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 https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-761410 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT FAULTY BIODEGRADABLE WIRING IN CAR CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND I NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO ERRATIC ENGINE FUNCTION 3 TIMES. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-761411 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT FAULTY BIODEGRADABLE WIRING IN CAR CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND I NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO ERRATIC ENGINE FUNCTION 3 TIMES. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-712489 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE COMPLETE ENGINE HARNESS IS BEING REPLACED. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-703552 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT CAR KEEPS STALLING PUTTING ME IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY TRAVEL. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-680197 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT INTERMITTENT IDLE CHANGE AND IDLE SURGES DURING DRIVING. ALSO WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR CUTS OUT. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-680198 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT INTERMITTENT IDLE CHANGE AND IDLE SURGES DURING DRIVING. ALSO WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR CUTS OUT. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-sl#complaint-675246 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE A 1994 600SL MERCEDES (35,000 MILES) WITH COMPLETE BREAK DOWN OF ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I FIND THAT EVERY SL HAS THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE MERCEDES TO REPLACE ALL THE WIRING HARNESSES INCLUDING THE HARNESS TO THE THROTTLE BODIES. *TR