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: 6 of 6 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. 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
6 reports
92,204 miles · Oct 10, 2019
Tires
I HAVE A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ THAT I DO NOT DRIVE OFTEN AND KEEP WELL STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE. I WAS DRIVING IT AND NOTICED THE TIRE WAS LOW. I TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE, WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY TIRES WERE DOWN TO TREAD WEAR OF 2/32. THESE TIRES, ALTHOUGH PURCHASED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, HAVE LESS THAN 11,000 MILES ON THEM. BOTH THE …
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I HAVE A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ THAT I DO NOT DRIVE OFTEN AND KEEP WELL STORED IN A HEATED GARAGE. I WAS DRIVING IT AND NOTICED THE TIRE WAS LOW. I TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE, WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY TIRES WERE DOWN TO TREAD WEAR OF 2/32. THESE TIRES, ALTHOUGH PURCHASED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, HAVE LESS THAN 11,000 MILES ON THEM. BOTH THE PLACE I PURCHASED THE TIRES AND THE NEW TIRE SHOP REFUSED TO HELP ME PROCESS ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA ODI #11267711
19 miles · Feb 2, 2017
Electrical System
CAR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHEN THICK DARK BLACK SMOKE BECAME VISIBLE FROM THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR AND DOME LIGHT HOUSING.
NHTSA ODI #10949170
18,677 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
CAR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHEN THICK DARK BLACK SMOKE BECAME VISIBLE FROM THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR AND DOME LIGHT HOUSING.
NHTSA ODI #10889168
153,000 miles · May 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes
DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE DIES. CAR BECOMES DEAD, VERY DANGEROUS , AT NIGHT MIDDLE LANE OF PACIFIC COAST HWY. CANT USE BREAKS, EVERYTHING IS DEAD! CANT STEER NOTHING. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TWICE. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN IM ON THE FREEWAY, THATS A PROBLEM…
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DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE DIES. CAR BECOMES DEAD, VERY DANGEROUS , AT NIGHT MIDDLE LANE OF PACIFIC COAST HWY. CANT USE BREAKS, EVERYTHING IS DEAD! CANT STEER NOTHING. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TWICE. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN IM ON THE FREEWAY, THATS A PROBLEM, ENDANGERING ME AND EVERYONE AROUND. THIS IS NUTS BECAUSE I PRIDE MYSELF ON KEEPING MY CAR IN TIP TOP SHAPE ALWAYS AND THIS IS UNDETECTABLE . BUT EXPENSIVE TO TRY AND FIND OUT UNTIL I SAW THAT 800 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME THING! WHAT WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
NHTSA ODI #10716917
35,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP WIPER ARM WAS MISALIGNED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WASHER PUMP WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V175000 (VISI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP WIPER ARM WAS MISALIGNED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WASHER PUMP WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V175000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10667761
55,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Structure
HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS FOR SOFT TOP AND HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE FAILS AND LEAKS. ALL 12 OF THE CYLINDERS FAILS DUE TO HYDRAULIC FLUID CORROSION THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. COSTS 12000(TWELVE THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO FIX). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352014
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.
1998 Mercedes Benz SL500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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