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1994 Mercedes-Benz SL500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL500, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints82 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 23, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL500 has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system82
Fuel/propulsion system11
Structure11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1994 Mercedes-Benz SL500 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1994 vs. every other SL500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SL500 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'03'04'05'06'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What SL500 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NEAR DRIVERS FIREWALL. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED HOWEVER STRONG FUEL VAPORS REMAINED. ORIGIN OF FIRE UNKNOWN. I SUBMITTED A REPORT FOR MY 1999 MERCEDES WHICH CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE HOOD INSULATION FALLING ONTO THE HOT MANIFOLD IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA.
Complaint 11301295 · Jan 23, 2020 · 194,000 miles
FACTORY MATERIAL DEFECT. ENGINE WIRE HARNESS INSULATION IS BREAKING DOWN AND FLAKING OFF, LEAVING EXPOSED WIRE. IGNITION IS POOR AND THREATENS TO STALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP TO 85-90C. I FEAR THE ENGINE MAY FAIL OR CATCH FIRE DURING A DRIVE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS…
Complaint 10924326 · Nov 4, 2016 · 90,000 miles
STARTED THE CAR AT WORK AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH HAD NO ACCELERATION. WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. A MECHANIC FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DETERIORATING, FLAKING AND FALLING APART EXPOSING ALL THE WIRES. THE CAR WOULD NO LONG EVEN START. I CALLED MERCEDES TO SEE IF THEY…
Complaint 10861510 · Apr 26, 2016 · 40,000 miles

Own a 1994 SL500?

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