1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500 problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 18 | 82% |
| Engine | 4 | 18% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 14% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 9% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 9% |
| Steering | 2 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 9% |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Engine wire harness has deteriorated due to mercedes' choice to use biodegradable wire insulation. Wires are shorting which almost led to an accident, could lead to a fire and have caused the anti slip regulator safety system to fail and the car to run in limp mode with substantially reduced power. Car was in motion…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Apr 8, 2019
“Car can hardly run--without stalling-hard to start mercedes dealer said to sell it because of wiring problems.”
Air Bags · filed Dec 20, 2018
“91-96 mercedes engine wire harness disintegrates completely to shorting out all gauges and engine operations. This is very dangerous... Deadly dangerous . This needs to be addressed and recalled immediately. We are putting together a mass group to file a class action lawsuit against the nhtsa for not demanding…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 18, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
13 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The 10 most recent:
iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
LI82.70-P-060004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 14, 2014
Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
LI27.00-P-051451 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2014
Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
LI27.55-P-058976 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 10, 2014
The noise comes from the front axle. Vehicles without code B07 (AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system)
LI42.10-P-058535 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 21, 2014
Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment is nonfunctional.
LI46.15-P-057157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 20, 2014
Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
GI88.40-P-057430 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 3, 2014
Mercedes benz: front or rear seat belt does not roll up correctly. Dirt deposits on the seat belt guide due to soiled seat belt. Also included models 169, f cell, 246, and 231. No model years given. *js
40-P-052794 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2012
Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 216, 230, 164, 251, and…
LI-58-40 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 2009
Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection is damaged or removed the…
TSB-42-10-109 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 15, 2009
Abc visit workshop displayed in instrument cluster and hydraulic fluid leakage. *tt updated 5/14/09. Models 215, 220 and 230. Model years unknown. *pe
325029 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 31, 2009
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
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