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 2 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.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. 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
2 reports
55,000 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1996 MERCEDES SL600 FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING BECAUSE THE OBDII SYSTEM CHECK REPORTED 5 MONITORS WERE "NOT READY". AFTER GREAT EXPENSE ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS INDICATED BY THIS OUTPUT, I DISCOVERED THROUGH INTERNET SEARCHES AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH ILLINOIS EPA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH EARLY 1996 V12 EQUIPPED A…
Read full complaint
MY 1996 MERCEDES SL600 FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING BECAUSE THE OBDII SYSTEM CHECK REPORTED 5 MONITORS WERE "NOT READY". AFTER GREAT EXPENSE ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS INDICATED BY THIS OUTPUT, I DISCOVERED THROUGH INTERNET SEARCHES AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH ILLINOIS EPA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH EARLY 1996 V12 EQUIPPED AUTOMOBILES (I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1995). ON THESE EARLY 1996 CARS, THE GENERIC OBDII PORT DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPORT THE STATUS OF THE ENGINE SYSTEM MONITORS. THE PROPRIETARY MERCEDES PORT REPORTS THAT ALL MONITORS ARE READY, BUT THE EMISSIONS TESTING FACILITY CAN NOT ACCESS THIS WITHOUT THE PROPRIETARY MERCEDES SCANNER. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT ALL MANUFACTURES SELLING CARS IN THE U.S. WERE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A WORKING GENERIC OBDII OUTPUT. IN MY OPINION, MERCEDES FAILED TO MEET THIS STANDARD WITH THESE EARLY 1996 V12 EQUIPPED CARS AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BRING THEM UP TO THIS STANDARD AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233876
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2007
Electrical System
1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL 600 WIRING HARNESS FAILURE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL FAILURE OF AN OLDER MERCEDES WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE IS KNOW THROUGH OUT THE INDUSTRY BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MB CONSEQUENTLY NO RECALL. THE CAR RUNS SLUGGISHLY AND I HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT IT IS A FIRE HA…
Read full complaint
1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL 600 WIRING HARNESS FAILURE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL FAILURE OF AN OLDER MERCEDES WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE IS KNOW THROUGH OUT THE INDUSTRY BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MB CONSEQUENTLY NO RECALL. THE CAR RUNS SLUGGISHLY AND I HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. COST OF REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT $3100????? *JB
IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE HEADLAMP. IF THE WASHERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH THE WIPER BLADE IN THE MISALIGNED AND LODGED POSITION, THE WASHER PUMP WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE POWER FROM THE BATTERY, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DAMPER-PULLEY ON THESE VEHICLES.
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.
1996 Mercedes Benz Sl Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year