NHTSA Data Explorer
Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Data refreshed June 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz 500SL.
Complaints
114
Active records
Recalls
11
Active records
TSBs
18
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
3
Injuries
6
Crashes
5
Fires
3
Top reported issues — Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Engine behavior
Operating state
Electrical issue
Reporting mechanism
Performance issue
Safety restraint issue
Safety restraint behavior
Thermal issue
Braking behavior
Noise
Driver assistance issue
Ride/handling behavior
Access/entry issue
Fluid issue
Starting behavior
HVAC behavior
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Powering on/off behavior
Lighting behavior
Infotainment behavior
Smell
Vibration/harshness
Steering behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 500
Filed Feb 13, 2016
WIRE HARNESS DEFECT CAUSING SHORT IN SYSTEM SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER CUTTING OTHER DRIVERS OFF JUST TO GET VEHICLE IN A SAFE AND SECURED LOCATION.
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed May 31, 2014
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND OUT AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING HOT WEATHER. *TR
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed May 31, 2014
IN JUNE 2012 THE CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW GAS CAP. WE GOT A GAS CAP AND IT PASSED INSPECTION. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED COMPLETELY. IF WE ONLY FILL THE GAS TANK ABOUT 3/4 OR LESS, THERE IS NO GAS SMELL. WE RECENTLY HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD US THE GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A SEAL/CAP IN AN OVERFILL TANK UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS LOOSE. WE REPLACED THE GAS CAP AGAIN AND THE CAP TO THE…
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Apr 3, 2014
WAS GOING DOWN ROAD AND FRONT STRUT BOTTOMED OUT BECAUSE OF AIR BELLOW FAILURE IN AIR LEVELING SYSTEM .MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM! *TR
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Apr 22, 2013
DETERIORATED ENGINE HARNESS WIRING CAUSING FORCED LIMP MODE AND OTHER GREMLINS. *TR
2003 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Apr 11, 2013
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION STICKER, WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MALFUNCTION THAT ALLOWED GAS VAPORS TO ESCAPE FROM TANK. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF MY OWN BUT TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION!!! THE CAR WAS NOT MISUSED OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED, OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART MERCEDES PUT IN THEIR CARS AND THEY CHOSE NOT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. CHARGED $1,400 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
1991 MERCEDES BENZ 129
Filed Nov 7, 2012
PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *TR
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 500
Filed Sep 12, 2012
I OWN A BEAUTIFUL BLACK 1995 S500 MERCEDES BENZ WITH 142,000 MILES. AS YOU KNOW, THE MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION KNOWINGLY INSTALLED A BIO-DEGRADABLE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IN MODELS '91-'96. THESE ENGINE WIRE HARNESSES, WERE PURPOSELY INSTALLED AND DESIGNED TO BREAKDOWN AND DISINTEGRATE. BECAUSE OF THIS FLAWED DECISION, I NOW FACE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS. AFTER RESEARCHING MY VEHICLE'S DIAGNOSIS, I DISCOVERED THAT MERCEDES CORPORATION KNEW THE HORRIFIC, DETRIMENTAL HAZARDS AND IMMENSE…
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 129
Filed Jul 10, 2012
ASR LIGHT CAME ON, CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT ON A HILL, STOPPED , LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TESTER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. I FINALLY FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THAT KNEW ABOUT THIS CAR HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN HE SHOWED ME THE WIRING IT HAD CRACKED BROKEN MISSING INSULATION…
1994 MERCEDES BENZ 129
Filed May 23, 2012
THE WIRING HARNESS, OF WHICH THERE ARE THREE, WAS CONSTRUCTED OF AN INSULATION CASE THAT IS BY DESIGN BIODEGRADABLE. THIS WAS A MATERIAL SELECTION DEFECT AND IS CAUSING GREAT EXPENSE AND PAIN TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS. IT IS ALSO DRASTICALLY AFFECTING RESALE VALUE OF THE CARS. UNUSUAL FOR A CAR THAT COST OVER $100K NEW. THEREFORE, THE OUTER CASE OF THE THREE HARNESSES DISINTEGRATES OVER TIME, AND EXPOSES THE INDIVIDUAL WIRES TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE 12 CYLINER MOTOR - THIS CAUSES THE…