1996 Mercedes Benz SL500

Recalls

1 recall names the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL500. Newest first.

• Wheels

  Feb 6, 2006NHTSA 06E01400031,422 vehiclesEquipment

  Certain zf trading north america aftermarket wheel bearing kits, lemfoerder p/n 1402301, sold for installation on 1992-2001 mercedes benz sl500 (R129) vehicles after april 1, 2005. the caliper mounting bolts used in the wheel bearing kit may be defective, shear off and break. if both caliper mounting bolts break, the brake caliper may become unfixed and…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  This could result in a loss of a portion of the vehicle's braking ability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

  Remedy

  Zf trading will notify its owners and repair the wheel bearing kits free of charge. the recall began on january 27, 2006.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Electrical system4
2. Visibility2
3. Engine1
4. Fuel system, gasoline1
5. Vehicle speed control1

Latest complaints

• Jun 29, 2015NY98,000 miFire1 injury
  Electrical system · Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Engine
  TL* the contact owns a 1996 mercedes benz sl500. While driving approximately 40 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over, lifted up the hood, and noticed fire coming from the engine.…

  TL* the contact owns a 1996 mercedes benz sl500. While driving approximately 40 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over, lifted up the hood, and noticed fire coming from the engine. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wires connected to the harness melted and caused the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. updated 07/01/15.*jb

• Jan 28, 2007CA72,000 mi
  Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood

  1996 mercedes benz SL 500 engine stall when drive on highway due to faulty wiring harness. *Jb

• Jul 14, 2004LA50,000 mi
  Electrical system · Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Interior

  While driving, the consumer smelled a burning odor, then smoke started coming from the interior rearview mirror. *ak the faulty device was due to a transistor that had gone bad on the electric board on the inside of the reaview mirror. *sc *jb

• Oct 27, 2003VA112,024 miCrash
  Vehicle speed control › Cruise control

  Sudden acceleration caused a crash into the rear wall of my garage.*ak

• Dec 11, 2002NJ
  Fuel system, gasoline

  Fuel line leakage at fuel pump-second occurance. dt

• Apr 11, 2002CO
  Visibility

  Pumps runs out of water, and windshield wiper keeps going on headlamps. Dealer contacted. *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.

• 10181124Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
• 10181123Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
• 10167001Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment is nonfunctional.
• 10166997The noise comes from the front axle. Vehicles without code B07 (AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system)
• 10166976Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
• 10165844Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
• 10165839Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
• 10135628iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
• 10044222Mercedes 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.
• 10033070Xentry (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 403. 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.
• 10028626Mercedes: the vehicle's suspension level randomly lowering while driving and/or rapid sporadic level changes shortly after stopping the vehicle, replace the body acceleration sensors. Models 215.3, 220, and 230. Model years unknown.
• 10028587Mercedes: leaks at steering gear control head connection to high or low pressure lines or leaks at internal steering lines of control head connection to steering gear housing. Models 171, 203, 204, 209, 211, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, and 230. Model years unknown.
• 10028585Mercedes vehicles: the xenon or bi-xenon headlamp not functioning. A function description can be found in wis document gf8s.10-p-20010 (203), gf82.10-p-0003q (209); gf82.10-p-3002r (230). Model years uknown.
• 10016687Abc visit workshop displayed in instrument cluster and hydraulic fluid leakage. Updated 5/14/09. Models 215, 220 and 230. Model years unknown.

Every Mercedes Benz SL500 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.