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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
22Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1995 Mercedes Benz SL500

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 22 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 18 reports
  • Engine: 4 reports
  • Fuel/propulsion System: 3 reports
  • Air Bags: 2 reports
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc): 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    2
    1992    6
    1993    8
    1994    22
    1995    6
    1996    9
    1997    6
    1998
    Compare all SL500 years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    18    Engine
    4    Fuel/propulsion System
    3    Air Bags
    2    Electronic Stability Control (esc)
    2
    All reported categories
    Steering
    2    Unknown Or Other
    2    Seat Belts
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Service Brakes, Electric
    1    Tires
    1    Traction Control System
    1    Vehicle 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

    What owners actually said

    22 reports
    56,871 miles · Feb 13, 2007
    Electrical System

    MY 1996 MERCEDES SL500 WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES HAS CRUMBLING WIRE INSULATION ON THE ENGINE CONTROLS WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SHORTED WIRING IN THE ENGINE CONTROLS. THE POOR QUALITY OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES IS THE PROBLEM, YET THE CAR MAKER OR THE DEALER HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS WIRING HARNESS FOR THIS SAFET…

    Read full complaint

    MY 1996 MERCEDES SL500 WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES HAS CRUMBLING WIRE INSULATION ON THE ENGINE CONTROLS WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SHORTED WIRING IN THE ENGINE CONTROLS. THE POOR QUALITY OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES IS THE PROBLEM, YET THE CAR MAKER OR THE DEALER HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS WIRING HARNESS FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. I AM TOLD THE COST TO REPLACE ALL THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WILL BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THE CAR MUST BE REWIRED BEFORE IT CAN BE DRIVEN. *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10182478

    119,750 miles · Nov 1, 2006
    Electrical SystemFire

    CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. STARTED SMALL FIRE THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. I REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND CLEANED ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAD TURNED TO POWDER IN MANY LOCATIONS SHORTING FUEL INJECTORS, MASS SENSOR AND CAM MAGNETS. *NM

    NHTSA ODI #10172352

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.