Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
200,000 miles · Aug 7, 2020
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 MERCEDES BENZ 380 SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE CRACK OF THE SUBFRAME WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE. THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE WELD WAS CRACKED AND COMPLETELY SEPARAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 MERCEDES BENZ 380 SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE CRACK OF THE SUBFRAME WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE. THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE WELD WAS CRACKED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE HOUSE OF IMPORTS (6862 AUTO CENTER DRIVE, BUENA PARK, CA 90621, 714-627-5553) AND THEY STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $3,000. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED WITH NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT HAD HIS MECHANIC REPLACE THE DAMAGED SUBFRAME WITH A USED ONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *LN CONSUMER STATES THAT DAMAGE WAS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL USAGE AND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PART PREVIOUSLY. *DL *JS
NHTSA ODI #11343867
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1985 Mercedes Benz 380SL Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year