SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 Mercedes Benz Sl Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
12Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19962
199712
19980
1999
Compare all Sl Class years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Equipment
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Fuel System, Other
2Suspension
2Visibility
2
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power Train
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Structure
1Tires
1

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: 2 of 12 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.

  • Equipment. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 2 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

Suspension complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
25,319 miles · May 29, 2009
Suspension

PURCHASED 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SL 600 FROM MBZ SAN FRANCISCO DEALERSHIP ON 4/22/09. IMMEDIATELY REPORTED EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS BOUNCING OF FRONT END. REPORTED DEFECT DEALER TOOK NO ACTION. TOOK CAR TO MBZ OF OAKLAND WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED BAD FRONT SUSPENSION PRESSURE CELLS WHICH CLEARLY EXISTED AT TIME OF SALE. OAKLAND MBZ CO…

Read full complaint

PURCHASED 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SL 600 FROM MBZ SAN FRANCISCO DEALERSHIP ON 4/22/09. IMMEDIATELY REPORTED EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS BOUNCING OF FRONT END. REPORTED DEFECT DEALER TOOK NO ACTION. TOOK CAR TO MBZ OF OAKLAND WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED BAD FRONT SUSPENSION PRESSURE CELLS WHICH CLEARLY EXISTED AT TIME OF SALE. OAKLAND MBZ COMPED DIAGNOSTIC. HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE SF MBZ CORRECT PROBLEM, BUT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE WORK AND HAVE IGNORED MY LETTERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272355

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1998
Power TrainService Brakes, ElectricService Brakes, Hydraulic

VACUUM FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON.

NHTSA ODI #539699

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.