1994 Mercedes Benz SL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › SL › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Mercedes Benz SL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1994 Mercedes Benz SL. Newest first.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Owner complaints
15 complaints1 involved a crash3 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Power train
There are multiple inherant flaws with this model vehicle that affect the safety and roadworthiness of this automobile included herin as abserved by me in my ownership. I had replaced the main engine wiring harness that had insulation on the wires that litterally turned to dust! These wires were…
There are multiple inherant flaws with this model vehicle that affect the safety and roadworthiness of this automobile included herin as abserved by me in my ownership. I had replaced the main engine wiring harness that had insulation on the wires that litterally turned to dust! These wires were free to arc on eachother causing sudden loss of acceleration, causing sudden acceleration(this car IS equiped with an electronic throttle body and will accelerate without driver imput), finally failed throttle response! All of these instances can, and will contribute to safety issues in the future, and certainly have contributed to accidents in the past, I can't begin to tell you how lucky I am to be able to report these issues having narrowly escaped many potential accidents (thankfully other cars have reliable braking systems). (That was the first harness replaced). The second harness to fail on me was the starter harness, again all of the insulation literally crumbled to dust and left bare unfused hot wires exposed, this could result in a battery explosion, arcing etc... The third harness that I have just been made aware IS yet again failed IS the air flow meter harness as diagnosed by mercedes benz of cincinnati. Again these wires are bare and I could physically see the wires arcing, which resulted in many driveability issues, including loss of acceleration. I really truely am amazed that this car has not caught on fire yet! The final flaw IS the starter IS located literally inches from the fuel vapor charcoal canister, it literally purges fuel vapor directly onto the starter! On many cases the car had a fuel smell while walking to the car, I would then turn the key with a huge brief explosion followed by smoke rolling out of the engine bay. it puzzles me how mercedes has failed to provide their customers with a safe automobile. I would be happier with a blown engine!!! *tr
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc)
Faulty biodegradable wiring in car causing a lot of problems and I nearly caused an accident to erratic engine function 3 times. *Tr
- Electrical system
The check engine light came on. My mechanic said it was the engine wiring harness and it IS a common problem. The complete engine harness IS being replaced. *Tr
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc)
Intermittent idle change and idle surges during driving. also when coming to a stop the car cuts out. *tr
- Electrical system
I have a 1994 600sl mercedes (35,000 miles) with complete break down of all the electrical wire insulation. upon my investigation I find that every SL has this problem. I would like mercedes to replace all the wiring harnesses including the harness to the throttle bodies. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring
All of a sudden, my car 1994 benz SL 320 stopped running and dealer replaced burned out engine wiring harness that cost me $1500 to fix. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring
I own a 1994 SL 600 mercedes benz. after paying 17,000 dollars for the car, I recently noticed the car stalling on the highway and in traffic. major concern when in heavy traffic and the car stalls with everyone blowing their horns and I am driving a 135K dollar car. it finally breaks down and I…
I own a 1994 SL 600 mercedes benz. after paying 17,000 dollars for the car, I recently noticed the car stalling on the highway and in traffic. major concern when in heavy traffic and the car stalls with everyone blowing their horns and I am driving a 135K dollar car. it finally breaks down and I have it towed to tony's foreign car in wilmington, nc for assessment. they inform me that it IS the wiring harness failure and showed me the decomposition of the insulation on the wiring. they tell me it IS a common failure of the 94 to 97 year models of mercedes and also let me know that I was lucky there was not fire because it was wiring to wiring contact (fire hazard). they also inform me that I am looking at a large bill to repair ($3000.00) because some other wiring IS disintegrated. the car has always been garaged. mercedes should be forced to do a factory recall and not asked because of the common failure, safety and expense to owners. *tr
- Electrical system
Wiring harness on 1994 mercedes benz sl600, with less than 80,000 miles . My mechanic estimated it would cost the cosumer between $7,000 to $10,000 to replace the harness. this IS a known fault by mercedes benz resulting in a premature corrosion of the wiring harness running along the top of the…
Wiring harness on 1994 mercedes benz sl600, with less than 80,000 miles . My mechanic estimated it would cost the cosumer between $7,000 to $10,000 to replace the harness. this IS a known fault by mercedes benz resulting in a premature corrosion of the wiring harness running along the top of the engine. Mercedes IS well aware of the problem and has a large stock to meet the demand. the car go into the unsafe mode during highway driving.
- Electrical system
We own a 1994 mercedes benz sl600 which has been disabled for approximately 16 months. The vehicle gradually displayed unusual idling, acceleration problems 2 years ago. After several unsuccessful repair attempts, the engine (ignition) & throttle body wiring harnesses were found to be defective.…
We own a 1994 mercedes benz sl600 which has been disabled for approximately 16 months. The vehicle gradually displayed unusual idling, acceleration problems 2 years ago. After several unsuccessful repair attempts, the engine (ignition) & throttle body wiring harnesses were found to be defective. The shielding for these wires has disintegrated so badly that all wires are contacting each other and causing the malfunction. The wire shielding IS as brittle as a potato chip, breaking under the fingers. It IS obvious that this issue was caused by mercedes benz using faulty wires in production of such vehicles. After thorough, educated & careful investigation, there IS no question the manufacture IS at fault in this case. Our repeated requests for resolution or even assistance from mercedes benz has been ignored. Mercedes benz IS ignoring this issue as it does not exist. The last repair estimate was over $12000,00; considering such a high amount, repair IS not feasible. Therefore, a car costing originally over $100,000, IS rotting away waiting for repair resolutions. At this point the vehicle IS inoperable and even a safety hazard to occupants even if it ran!. Extensive documentation of this defect (dismantling, removal & replacement procedure) has been recorded, along with step by step digital photographs. We will be happy to provide this evidence and be interviewed at your request. Its just not fair, we need your help!!! *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
On my sl320 I had the starter motor engage and would not cut off even when the key was out. The wiring harness had completely deteriorated. The insulation was cracked and falling off. *Tr
- Electrical system › Wiring · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control
Total electrical failure, engine stoppage, deactivation of ABS, asd, seat belts, electric door locks, lights. when going over a railroad tract, road vibration caused deteriorated wiring insulation (inside a bundle of wires) to fall off causing a massive electrical short circuit. apparently…
Total electrical failure, engine stoppage, deactivation of ABS, asd, seat belts, electric door locks, lights. when going over a railroad tract, road vibration caused deteriorated wiring insulation (inside a bundle of wires) to fall off causing a massive electrical short circuit. apparently several model years of these cars were manufactured with wire insulation that 'crumbles' to a powder. this condition IS not visible during ordinary inspection and required one to cut open the encapsulated wiring harnesses. Failed wiring harnesses for these cars are common I learned from searching the mdz bulletin boards. I have 6 failed electronic throttle actuators (at $1800 each!!) exhibiting this type of failure. One exhibited uncommanded wide open throttle. The others failed by entering the 'limp home' mode. Mercedes benz north america IS aware of this serious defect but refuses to repair or warrant this defective safety system. I was shocked that my car shut off completely and a small fire erupted in the main engine wiring compartment harness. *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Insulation on electrical wiring crumbles to dust, resulting in shorts, damaged electronics, engine stalling, ABS failure, etc. It appears mbz used defective insulation on the electrical wires in the engine compartment wiring harnesses. In all locations that are exposed to higher than ambient…
Insulation on electrical wiring crumbles to dust, resulting in shorts, damaged electronics, engine stalling, ABS failure, etc. It appears mbz used defective insulation on the electrical wires in the engine compartment wiring harnesses. In all locations that are exposed to higher than ambient temperature the insulation crumbles to dust. . Dealer says 'its a very common problem with 92-95 model years'. Replacement harnesses cost over $3000 (2 rqd) and replacement components with integral defective wiring cost over $8000 (not including any computer boxes that get damaged by shorts. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling · Exterior lighting › Headlights
Dt: the contact owns a 1994 mercedes benz sl-500. the contact stated while driving the headlights lights illuminated and the vehicle lost power and stalled. the vehicle has been to the dealership several times. the first time they replaced a computer. the contact stated that this did not…
Dt: the contact owns a 1994 mercedes benz sl-500. the contact stated while driving the headlights lights illuminated and the vehicle lost power and stalled. the vehicle has been to the dealership several times. the first time they replaced a computer. the contact stated that this did not remedy the problem, and that the dealership will replace something different each time the vehicle has been in for service. the contact stated that this happened on a regular basis, more and more over time. the vehicle has been having this problem for approximately 2-3 years. the consumer has contacted the manufacturer, and they stated there was nothing that could be done because the vehicle was over ten years old. the vehicle IS being serviced at this time.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The wiring harness to the engine control system developed severe shorts, stalled the engine, disabled the ABS, asr,srs systems. With engine stalled, steering and braking were difficult and resulted in front end damage from impact to roadside brush and dirt. Wiring insulation inside the wiring…
The wiring harness to the engine control system developed severe shorts, stalled the engine, disabled the ABS, asr,srs systems. With engine stalled, steering and braking were difficult and resulted in front end damage from impact to roadside brush and dirt. Wiring insulation inside the wiring bundles had crumbled to dust in many places far removed from the short/minor fire. Car still not operable due to other major wiring harness shorts due to crumbling insulation on the wires (hidden by the bundle jacket) dealer response tough if you had bought it from us, and it was new, maybe, otherwise good bye!*ak
- Equipment · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Recall of windshield wiper system, repaired 12/5/1996 by a mercedes-benz dealer and in january 2004 (7 years, 1 month, ) I incurred a $676.53 repair bill, for the same head light wiper system recall.*ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10030964Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. The sbc hydraulic unit extended limited warranty applies to all conditions that justify the replacement of the sbc hydraulic unit under the standard warranty terms and conditions.
- 10030941Mercedes: cracking noise from the area of the instrument panel/firewall when cornering, during throttle lift off and on uneven roads. Stress at the spot welds on the firewall to the right of the brake booster can result in cracking noises. No right hand drive. No model years listed.
- 10030929Mercedes: 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 brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. Include all models and model years.
- 601449Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires.
Every Mercedes Benz SL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.