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1995 Mercedes Benz SL500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
22Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19926
19938
199422
19956
19969
19976
1998
Compare all SL500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
18Engine
4Fuel/propulsion System
3Air Bags
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2
All reported categories
Steering
2Unknown Or Other
2Seat Belts
1Service Brakes
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Tires
1Traction Control System
1Vehicle Speed Control
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: 19 of 22 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 3 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 reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Traction Control System complaints

1 reports
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83,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Electrical SystemTraction Control System

1995 SL500 HAD THE SAR LIGHT GO ON AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AND BARELY RAN ENOUGH TO GET IT TO THE SERVICE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND SHOWED ME HOW THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES WAS LITERALLY BREAKING AWAY FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. THIS HE SAID WAS SHORTING OUT THE CONTROL MODULE. …

Read full complaint

1995 SL500 HAD THE SAR LIGHT GO ON AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AND BARELY RAN ENOUGH TO GET IT TO THE SERVICE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND SHOWED ME HOW THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES WAS LITERALLY BREAKING AWAY FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. THIS HE SAID WAS SHORTING OUT THE CONTROL MODULE. HE TOLD ME HIS WAS VERY COMMON ON THE MERCEDES OF THIS VINTAGE AND THAT IT WAS A HAZARD. THE CAR ONLY HAS 83,000 MILES ON IT AND MY WIFE BABY IT'S LIKE HER OWN CHILD. IT IS GARAGED EACH NIGHT AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD HAVE DESINTEGRATED WITH SO FEW MILES. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291681

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.